WHAT'S THE ISSUE?

Fraud tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and whilst everyone was sat at home during COVID-19 lock-downs, it undoubtedly proved the perfect training ground for criminals.

But how can we stay one step ahead of them? Stephen Cole meets a conman-turned-consultant to find out.

MEET THE EXPERT

Tony Sales was once dubbed "Britain's greatest fraudster" and knows first-hand the inside workings of a criminal mind. Tony's parents abandoned him when he was just a few days old and he was raised by his grandmother, who had little money.

Seeing other children wearing nice clothes and expensive trainers made him want to fit in, and he decided to find ways of making his own money – and fast. From fake sponsorship forms to heavy credit-card fraud, Tony was soon well-known by police for his criminal skills and became one of the UK's most wanted fraudsters.

He has since turned his life around. As Co-Founder of 'We Fight Fraud,' Tony now uses his dark past to help companies avoid becoming victims of the future.

WHAT DOES TONY SALES SAY?

Asked by Stephen Cole what made him turn to crime, Tony said it was mainly ego that drove him there: "I never actually had any fast food as a child (and) there wasn't really much in the fridge, so if you want to get to those other things, you have to steal them or get the money from stealing to buy them.

"Before you know it, I was a 16-year-old involved in high-level credit card fraud…it just spiraled to a criminal career."

Tony explains how his previous experience in spotting opportunities and loopholes helps him to advise the companies of today: "No one's born bad, right? Most criminals have been through a bad upbringing. So, all of the opportunities, all of the risks, are the same for all of us.

"Most crime is opportunist crime, right? It just happens there in the moment. There was a door left open… a car was parked in a dark alley and the window got smashed…we see this happening everywhere."

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:

Mark Button explains the types of fraud that have flourished since the pandemic.

Elisabeth Carter reveals the hidden tactics used by romance fraudsters.

FIND MORE STORIES FROM THE AGENDA WITH STEPHEN COLE  HERE