By Peter Kent
Only three out of the top 30 postcodes involved in fraudulent activity are located outside of London, new research has revealed.
According to the latest survey by Cifas, the UK's fraud prevention service, the capital city dominates the list of fraudulent hotspots in the UK.
From banking fraud to direct credit fraud, the study looks at the various genres of financial crime.
Cifas' research indicates that SE18 Plumstead, IG11 Barking, E6 East Ham, SE15 Peckham and SE28 Thamesmead are the five most common areas for fraud.
Research manager and Cifas Sandra Peaston suggested that it was "unsurprising" that London was the centre for fraud as it has a dense population "where material wealth and disadvantage can be found in close proximity".
She indicated that the study represents a "rather bleak portrait of the nation's capital city".
Analysing 2008's fraud trends earlier this year, Cifas reported a 16 per cent growth in fraud throughout the whole of the UK.
