August 06, 2025 | Incident and Crime Statistics , Cyber Crime
Request Number: FOI/15115
Category: Incident and Crime Statistics - Cyber Crime
Subject: Investment Scams
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold some information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.
We further consider that some of the information you seek is exempt by virtue of Sections 21 and 31 of FOIA and have detailed our rationale as to why these exemptions apply.
We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request
The purpose of this request is to gather data on reported investment scams and the outcomes of these reports, specifically how many resulted in convictions.
Note: For the purpose of this request, "investment scams" refers to fraudulent schemes where individuals are deceived into making financial investments that result in loss. This includes, but is not limited to: pension fraud, cryptocurrency scams, forex trading scams, boiler room schemes, fake bonds or shares, and any other deceptive investment opportunities promoted with the intent to defraud.
Specifically, I am seeking anonymised data on the following from January 2020 to July 2025:
Request 1
The total number of investment scam reports received by your force, broken down by calendar year (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and partial data for 2025).
Answer 1
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
a. states that fact,
b. specifies the exemption in question and
c. states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption is listed below:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
Table 9 of the spreadsheet which accompanies our monthly Police Recorded Crime bulletin presents data for the number of fraud offences, including a category called ‘Other Financial Investment’, reported to Action Fraud. This is available on the PSNI website: Police Recorded Crime Statistics | PSNI
This data comes from Action Fraud, Statistics Branch does not hold any of the records – we do not hold information on scams. If you have further questions, such as whether these offences led to convictions, they should be directed to Action Fraud.
Request 2
Of these reports, the number of cases that have resulted in criminal convictions
Request 3
Only if held, the details of those convictions, including: Type of sentence (e.g., fine, custodial sentence)
Request 4
Amount of any fine issued
Request 5
Length of custodial sentences, where applicable
Please provide the information in electronic format, preferably as an Excel spreadsheet or CSV file.
Please avoid sending PDFs or Word documents if possible.
Answers 2-5
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
a. states that fact,
b. specifies the exemption in question and
c. states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement – the prevention or detection of crime and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders.
Section 31 is a prejudiced based, qualified exemption which means the PSNI must demonstrate harm in disclosure and consider the balance of the public interest in releasing information.
Harm
The release of the number of convictions in this instance could undermine the efficacy of law enforcement activities and put members of the public at risk as a result. Release of the information could put individuals at risk and could be used by those who may have criminal intent if they became aware of such details which could be used as an opportunity to commit crime, impacting on the prevention and detection of crime.
Public Interest Test
Factors Favouring Release - Section 31
The disclosure of this information would adhere to the general principle of openness and transparency and better inform the Public about how public funds are spent, better awareness which may reduce crime or lead to more information from the Public.
Factors favouring non-disclosure – Section 31
The disclosure of this information would undermine law enforcement function of PSNI resulting in more crime being committed. This would have an impact on Police resources and place individuals and the general Public at risk. Patterns could be drawn which would enable those intent on criminal activities to strategically plan offences based on this data. The force would then be required to adapt its tactics and methods in order to continue to prevent and detect crime.
Decision
Public safety is of paramount importance to the PSNI and must always be considered so that the PSNI’s ability to fulfil its core function of law enforcement is protected. The PSNI considers that the factors favouring withholding the information are stronger than those in favour of disclosing the requested information. As stated in detail above, while there may be a public interest in releasing the information requested, the PSNI must ensure that its law enforcement capability is not adversely affected by the release of any information. Public safety is mainly possible by detection and prevention of crime, therefore monitoring of criminal activity and movement requires confidentiality and will remain exempted.
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.