FOI 76719

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 76719

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 28^th April 2021. Please find below the response to your request:

My request relates to the number of arrests made per year in relation to SMS scams, that is, scams where the use of SMS texts was a central part of a fraud, used to extract personal details or money from victims. These are also called Smishing message frauds.

I am asking every police force in the UK the same question.

In each case, I understand that records may be incomplete, and if this is the case, I would like whatever figures are available, together with their dates, to give the most accurate view possible.

Here is what I am requesting:

1. The number of arrests made for each of the last 10 calendar years including 2021 so far relating to SMS scams as defined above
2. How many of those arrested were tried in court for those offences
3. How many of those arrested were convicted

Please also tell me how recent 2021’s data is. For instance, it could be four arrests to 31 March, or 10 arrests to 9 April.

Reply:-

There were 2 arrests - 1 in 2016 and 1 in 2020

1 of those arrests were charged

1 was convicted in court