City of London’s fraud rate more than 55 times higher than next closest region, new study shows
Key Findings:
- New study from digital marketing experts reveals which UK regions experience the most retail fraud incidents relative to their population
- City of London reports a staggering 13,893 retail fraud cases per 100,000 residents, vastly outpacing all other regions in the UK
- Business expert highlights how retailers can protect themselves as data shows online shopping fraud accounts for a significant portion of reported cases
Retail fraud continues to pose a significant challenge for businesses across the UK, with certain regions bearing a disproportionate burden of these crimes. From online shopping scams to counterfeit transactions, these fraudulent activities impact both businesses and consumers, causing financial losses and damaging trust in retail systems.
“Understanding which areas are most affected by retail fraud can help businesses implement targeted security measures,” says Jonathan Kiekbusch of SwishDM, a UK-based SEO agency specialising in digital marketing strategies for eCommerce and service-based businesses.
SwishDM has analysed data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and police forces across the UK to identify the regions with the highest rates of retail-related fraud. The study examined incidents reported between March 2024 and February 2025, covering various types of retail fraud including online shopping scams, counterfeit transactions, and card fraud.
The fraud rate per 100,000 residents was calculated by dividing the total volume of reported retail-related fraud incidents by the population of each UK police force area, providing a standardised measure that allows for meaningful comparisons between regions of different sizes.
Table: Top 10 UK Regions Where Most Retail Fraud Takes Place (By Police Force)
| Rank | Police Force | Fraud Rateper 100,000 residents | Total Volume of Fraud Reported Retail |
| 1 | City of London | 13,893.24 | 1,507 |
| 2 | Northamptonshire | 248.98 | 1,973 |
| 3 | Nottinghamshire | 218.08 | 2,537 |
| 4 | Metropolitan | 208.07 | 18,425 |
| 5 | Hertfordshire | 205.55 | 2,476 |
| 6 | Dorset | 200.59 | 1,575 |
| 7 | Greater Manchester | 194.73 | 5,670 |
| 8 | Bedfordshire | 190.38 | 1,363 |
| 9 | West Yorkshire | 184.77 | 4,394 |
| 10 | Surrey | 179.74 | 2,183 |
City of London: A Unique Fraud Landscape
The City of London tops the list with an extraordinary fraud rate of 13,893.24 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is over 55 times higher than the second-ranked region. This striking figure requires context—with a resident population of just 10,847, the City of London is home to the UK’s financial district but has relatively few permanent residents compared to the massive business presence.
Breaking down the 1,507 retail fraud cases reported in the City of London, the data reveals that cheque, plastic card, and online bank account fraud accounts for the vast majority with 1,341 cases. This concentration of financial institutions likely explains why card and banking fraud is particularly prevalent in this area.
“The City of London’s position in our ranking isn’t surprising when you consider its unique demographic makeup,” explains Jonathan Kiekbusch. “With hundreds of thousands of commuters and financial transactions taking place daily in a small geographical area with few actual residents, the fraud rate appears dramatically inflated.”
Northamptonshire: Second Highest Fraud Rate
Northamptonshire ranks second with a fraud rate of 248.98 per 100,000 residents. Despite having a population of 792,421, the region reported 1,973 retail fraud incidents.
The breakdown shows that online shopping and auction fraud dominates with 765 cases, accounting for nearly 39% of all retail fraud in the region. The second highest category is other consumer non-investment fraud with 357 cases, while retail fraud accounts for 260 cases.
“Northamptonshire’s high rate of online shopping fraud suggests residents may be particularly targeted by eCommerce scams,” notes Kiekbusch. “This could be related to regional shopping habits or specific vulnerabilities that fraudsters have identified.”
Nottinghamshire: Third Most Affected Region
With a fraud rate of 218.08 per 100,000 residents, Nottinghamshire ranks third on the list. The region reported a total of 2,537 retail fraud incidents across its population of 1,163,335.
Similar to Northamptonshire, online shopping and auction fraud is the most common type with 1,067 cases, representing 42% of all retail fraud incidents in the region. The data also shows 946 cases of cheque, plastic card, and online bank account fraud, which accounts for 37% of incidents, making it a significant concern for residents and businesses in Nottinghamshire.
“The data points to a troubling pattern across these regions,” says Kiekbusch. “Online shopping fraud consistently represents a large portion of retail fraud cases, highlighting the need for both businesses and consumers to implement stronger security measures for online transactions.”
Jonathan Kiekbusch from SwishDM commented:
“Looking at this data, we can see worrying patterns of retail fraud across the UK, with big differences between regions that businesses need to pay attention to. What stands out is how online shopping fraud is the biggest problem in most areas, showing just how much the threat has grown in digital retail.
“For businesses looking to protect themselves, I’d recommend using multi-factor authentication for payments, regularly checking your payment systems for vulnerabilities, and making sure your staff know how to spot fraud.
“If you’re a shopper, be careful about where you buy online, look at store reviews, use payment methods with protection, and keep an eye on your bank statements. What’s interesting about our findings is that different areas have different fraud problems, so prevention strategies that target these specific local issues could work better than a one-size-fits-all approach.”
