MP urges Burnley public to be vigilant amid rising coronavirus-related scams

The crackdown comes after the National Crime Agency said it had identified multiple instances of fraudsters selling phony and dangerous PPE and coronavirus testing kits throughout the UK.

This is happening alongside criminals impersonating government departments, using social media and email campaigns to trick victims into applying for bogus stimulus support.

Burnley Antony Higginbotham MP is encouraging residents to report any suspicious emails to a new online 'suspicious email reporting service' which has already led to 395 phishing sites being taken down in its first week of operation.

“We know that law enforcement and other operational partners cannot do their jobs properly if we do not take the necessary steps to protect ourselves. That is why I’m working with the Home Office to warn the public about some of the risks they may face from fraud – both off and online," he said.

A Cyber Aware campaign is also running alongside email service to highlight how people can protect themselves from the majority of cyber crimes, including those committed for fraudulent reasons.

A gov.uk webpage has also been launched on coronavirus-related fraud and cyber-crime containing easy-to-follow tips, and signposts of where to receive the most relevant advice and support.

Security minister James Brokenshire said: “With continued collaboration, we can make a real impact against criminals attempting to commit these terrible crimes. More importantly, we can ensure that the most vulnerable are adequately protected from this callous and pernicious crime."