Police in the UK have lost interest in catching scammers and fraudsters, according to deputy High Court judge Clare Montgomery.
The leading barrister, who is also a recorder of the Crown Court, said “99 per cent” of crimes perpetuated by “professional fraudsters” were not being investigated, with even less being prosecuted. In the law and politics podcast, Double Jeopardy, Montgomery told hosts Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen there had been a decline in interest in prosecuting fraud since the 90s.
“Fraud just isn’t that exciting and, insofar as it has excited any interest, it’s mainly at the margins – in areas like proceeds of crime in relation to sanctions; or in relation to occasionally providing assistance to foreign governments,” she said. “All of that does get attention, and some sort of resources at the investigative level.
