UK Cybercrime Surge: A £2.1M Bitcoin Scam

A new report from the UK government, the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, reveals that cybercrime and attacks continue to be a persistent threat to businesses and charities across the country. While some progress has been made, the data highlights the need for vigilance and a proactive approach to security and asset recovery.

The Alarming Reality of the UK's Digital Threat

The survey’s findings show a worrying trend, with a substantial number of organisations affected in the past year. The most pressing concerns include:

• Ransomware has doubled: The percentage of businesses experiencing a ransomware attack has increased from 0.5% in 2024 to 1% in 2025, a significant rise that highlights the growing threat of these malicious campaigns.
• Phishing remains a top threat: Phishing attacks continue to be the most common form of cyber-crime, impacting nearly all businesses (93%) and charities (95%) that experienced a crime.
• High-profile cases: The National Crime Agency (NCA) has confirmed it is investigating the infamous cyber-criminal collective Scattered Spider in connection with a wave of attacks on UK retailers, further demonstrating how organised these criminal enterprises have become.

Case Study: The £2.1M Bitcoin Scam

The scale of this threat was recently underscored by a £2.1 million Bitcoin scam reported by Police. The case highlights a disturbing new trend where criminals are "crafting sophisticated social engineering schemes to trick even the most diligent holders."

In this attack, a person impersonated a senior UK police officer, leveraging fear and urgency to trick a victim into "securing their assets." The victim was persuaded to enter their password on a fake website, giving the fraudsters access to their digital wallet. The funds were stolen within "a matter of moments," a testament to the speed and professionalism of the criminals. This case serves as a powerful reminder that targeted scams can bypass standard security protocols and inflict massive financial damage.

Why Expert Asset Tracing is the Answer

As criminals adapt and evolve, so must our response. While prevention is key, the reality is that many individuals and businesses will still fall victim to cybercrime. When this happens, traditional law enforcement resources may be limited in their ability to trace and recover stolen digital assets. This is where professional asset tracing services become an essential part of the solution.

At Conflict International, we provide expert asset tracing and crypto recovery services to help individuals and companies navigate this complex environment. Our experienced investigators work to:

• Trace transactions across the blockchain, bypassing obfuscation techniques.
• Identify the perpetrators behind the fraud by linking on-chain data to real-world identities.
• Provide crucial intelligence needed for legal action and asset recovery.

As the threat of cybercrime continues to grow, a professional partner is your greatest asset. We provide the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of the digital world and turn a loss into a recovery. To learn more about how we can help protect your digital assets, visit our asset tracing services page.