UK banks urged to beef up anti-fraud systems for international payments

Payments abroad are not covered by new rules that require UK banks to refund those who have been manipulated into sending money to criminals. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA

UK banks and payment firms have been urged to strengthen their anti-fraud systems for international payments after a rise in scammers tricking people into sending money abroad.

After years of horror stories about people losing huge sums through bank transfer scams, rules came into force last October requiring UK banks and other payment firms to refund those who have been manipulated into sending money to criminals. This week, industry data revealed that the number of cases of this type of crime had fallen to its lowest level for five years.