TL;DR: On March 24, 2026, the NCA and City of London Police reported results from the fifth Operation Henhouse, which ran throughout February 2026: 557 arrests, 172 voluntary interviews, 249 cease and desist notices, account freezing orders against £9m and cash and asset seizures worth £18.1m. Every UK police force and Regional Organised Crime Unit took part.
What happened
The NCA says that since 2021 the operation has produced 1,904 arrests and over £67m seized or disrupted. Operation Mimic led to 6 arrests, about £10m in assets restrained and 8 addresses searched in the UK and Italy.
City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit made 8 arrests with 19 search warrants and £537,000 in account freezing orders. National Trading Standards Scams Team identified 6 offshore call centres, blocked 283 numbers and 6.5 million calls, saving an estimated £2.1m. Cash seizures rose 19%, including £1.1m by Merseyside Police and £721,000 by Cumbria Police.
A South Yorkshire van scam with over 300 victims who lost hundreds of thousands of pounds ended with three men sentenced to two and a half years each, after relying on more than 90 money mules.
Why it works
Large operations like this target the infrastructure of fraud: money mule accounts, call centres and number supply, which is why mule recruitment appears so often in sentencing.
The release says if you have been targeted, report to Report Fraud, and it points to the Stop! Think Fraud campaign.
Background: our explainers on money mule scams and courier fraud and fake bank investigators. See also Leicestershire Courier Fraud: Fake Officer Took Card and PIN and Kent Courier Fraud: 86 Victims Lost £766,544 in 2025.
What the NCA release advises
- Report fraud to Report Fraud by phone on 0300 123 2040 or online at reportfraud.police.uk.
- For guidance on protecting yourself, visit stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk.
- Be wary of offers to “earn” by letting someone use your bank account, as that can be money muling.
- Check any surprise call or message by contacting the organisation on a number you find yourself.
If you have already sent money
Contact your bank immediately, using the number on your card or by dialling 159, and ask about stopping the payment and reimbursement, then report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Our guides on UK fraud reporting and APP reimbursement rules, UK bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam explain what to expect, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main results of Operation Henhouse 2026?
557 arrests, 172 voluntary interviews, 249 cease and desist notices, account freezing orders against £9m and cash and asset seizures worth £18.1m.
How many arrests since 2021?
1,904 arrests and over £67m seized or disrupted since 2021, according to the NCA.
How many calls did Trading Standards block?
6.5 million calls and 283 numbers, an estimated £2.1m saved, after identifying 6 offshore call centres.
How do I report fraud?
Call 0300 123 2040 or report online at reportfraud.police.uk.
Sources
- NCA: Operation Henhouse, strongest year yet in fight against fraud (Mar 24, 2026)
- Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk)
Related Reading
- Leicestershire Courier Fraud: Fake Officer Took Card and PIN
- Kent Courier Fraud: 86 Victims Lost £766,544 in 2025
- Operation FRONTIER+III: 2,442 Fraud Disruptions, C$4.7M Recovered
- UK Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Average Loss per Victim by Scam Type (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live