NAFN attended the North West Fraud Forum’s fourth Annual Conference in Manchester on Thursday 29 January, represented by Jack and Lavinia from the Membership and Communications Team. The event brought together counter‑fraud specialists from across the public and private sectors, creating a valuable space for collaboration, learning and discussion on the evolving fraud landscape.
A Strong Line‑Up of Expert Speakers
The conference featured speakers from The Insolvency Service, the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), City of London Police, the National Crime Agency and leading academic institutions. Each session offered insight into current challenges, emerging threats and the national direction of travel in fraud prevention.
Artificial intelligence emerged as a major theme throughout the day. Speakers explored how AI is already being used to detect and disrupt fraud, as well as the risks and ethical considerations that come with its rapid development.
Updates on National Fraud Reporting
Delegates also received updates on the newly relaunched national reporting service, Report Fraud. The platform now offers a more intuitive user experience and provides reporters with clearer outcomes, a significant step forward in improving public confidence and engagement in fraud reporting.
Key Sessions from the Day
The agenda included a diverse range of topics and perspectives, including:
- Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester – Opening remarks on regional priorities
- Detective Superintendent Oliver Little, City of London Police – Update on the National Fraud Strategy
- DI Helen Pealing & Alex Bishop, NPCC AI Portfolio – AI: Challenges and Opportunities
- Dr Anu Watson & Professor Tom Sanders, Northumbria University – Strengthening Counter Fraud Across the NHS
- Tom Phillips (Insolvency Service) & Clare Blackburn (PSFA) – Growing a Government Counter Fraud Profession
- Adam Saunders, Revolut – AI and Financial Crime in Financial Institutions
- Jason Burke, National Crime Agency – Money Laundering Methodologies and Investigations
- Jane Ngan & Ashleigh Gonzales Burnside, Manchester University – Practitioner‑Researcher Perspectives in Crime Control
Become a Member of the North West Fraud Forum
The North West Fraud Forum brings together counter‑fraud professionals from across the public and private sectors, creating a collaborative network focused on strengthening the region’s response to fraud. Membership offers access to events, training, shared intelligence and a community committed to tackling emerging threats.
Explore membership options and join the NWFF community: https://northwestfraudforum.co.uk/members-home
Find out more about the North West Fraud Forum on their website: https://northwestfraudforum.co.uk/