Guildhawk David Clarke urges UK to build a "Digital Fortress against AI driven fraud”

During a powerful interview on BBC Breakfast, Guildhawk Chief Security Officer and counter‑fraud expert David Clarke warned that the true scale of the UK’s money‑mule crisis is far worse than official statistics suggest and rising at a pace he describes as the most alarming in his 45‑year career.

Clarke told BBC viewers that criminal gangs are now using AI to industrialise personalised fraud attacks, making them more convincing, more targeted, and far harder for ordinary people to detect or defend against.

“This is war,” Clarke warned.

“Criminals are using AI to industrialise attacks, and citizens are more vulnerable than ever in history.”

He stressed that the concept of a “money mule”, someone tricked or recruited into moving criminal funds, is shifting into the mainstream as gangs exploit young people, small businessowners, and anyone with a “clean” bank account.

A clip of David Clarke speaking at the BBC breakfast about AI fraud cases. 

A crisis worse than the numbers reveal

The BBC interview highlighted the story of Molly; a young victim caught in the crossfire of organised fraud. Clarke emphasised that her experience is not isolated, it is a warning. Despite reported increases, he believes fraud levels are already significantly under‑reported, and the gap is widening.

“I’ve seen the statistics,” he said,

“but I believe it’s actually much higher now than what we’re seeing.”

What’s driving this surge? According to Clarke, two forces:

• AI-personalised scams — scams tailored to each victim, making them feel legitimate.
• Automated and industrialised attack — criminals are now scaling operations faster than law enforcement can respond.

“It’s naive to expect citizens to defend themselves”

Clarke was unequivocal in his stance: expecting everyday people, especially teenagers and small business owners, to resist these sophisticated, criminal tactics is unrealistic and dangerous.

“It’s naive to expect citizens to defend themselves because they are not equipped.” He said, adding,

“They’re up against AI-enabled, highly sophisticated criminals.”

He described how victims, even experienced business owners, are routinely “suckered in” by attackers who appear legitimate, friendly, or authoritative.

These criminals deliberately target the naive, the isolated, and the unprepared, precisely the people traditional awareness campaigns often fail to reach.

Build a digital fortress to protect UK citizens

In the interview, Clarke repeated the message he has been raising for years: the UK must urgently build a Digital Fortress, a unified national structure that prevents, detects, and disrupts fraud at scale.

“We must urgently build a digital fortress to protect UK citizens and small business owners; a fortress criminals cannot break through.”

This fortress, Clarke argues, should be:

• Nationwide
• AI‑enabled to match the criminals’ capabilities
• Integrated across banks, telecoms, law enforcement, and private sector partners
• Run by an organisation with the expertise and mandate to operate at scale

That organisation, he says, already exists.

Why the City of London Police must lead

Clarke emphasised that the City of London Police, recognised for over a century as the UK’s specialist force for economic and now cyber‑enabled crime, has already built the world‑class foundations necessary to create the digital fortress.

He explained how, “With backing from the City Corporation and successive central governments, the City Police have built new technology and partnerships to prevent, protect, and pursue criminals.”

Now, with government plans to restructure policing, he urged ministers not to squander the once in a generation opportunity to develop the infrastructure urgently needed.

His advice to Ministers was clear,

1. “Build on the foundations! Do not destroy what already works.” 
2. “Give the City of London Police the mandate to build the fortress to protect citizens and small businesses."

His rationale is grounded on three factors. First, the City Force has the proven expertise in fighting fraud, delivering innovation, and can attract the necessary talent. Second, it has the unique ability to forge national and international operational partnerships with institutions by virtue of its position at the heart of the world’s leading financial centre. Third, police resources allocated to protect the UK from economic crime are ring-fenced and not diluted or diverted to other policing needs due to strong local accountability.

This unique capability, already admired globally, positions the City of London Police as the natural lead body for developing the urgently needed digital fortress to protect citizens from fraud.

The human side: What money mule victims must do

BBC presenters Sarah Campbell and Roger Johnson asked Clarke what people should do if they have become money mules. He issued a compassionate but firm call for victims to come forward.

"If you’ve fallen for this, please report it. Don’t be embarrassed. Speak to a friend."

This can be done online or by calling Report Fraud, the UK’s home for reporting fraud and cybercrime.

He noted that early reporting to the police can prevent repeated victimisation and help investigators dismantle the networks behind these crimes, warning that if you have become involved with an organised crime gang and taken money, they are notoriously dangerous and "You do not want to be arguing with these people."

A message to government: Protect the people

Clarke concluded with a reminder of the government’s central responsibility.

“It is the number one duty of government to protect its citizens. We’ve got to do more.”

Fraud is now the UK’s most prevalent crime. With AI accelerating the threat, the time for incremental change is over.

The Digital Fortress Clarke proposes is no longer optional, it is essential national infrastructure.

Guildhawk's position

Guildhawk is fully aware of the increasing threat organised crime poses to UK citizens and small businesses. As such, we support the creation of a secure, AI‑enabled infrastructure that shields individuals and businesses from the evolving threat landscape. As criminals use increasingly sophisticated tools, the UK must match and exceed their capability.

Only through bold action, intelligent investment, and strong collaboration can the UK protect its citizens, and maintain global leadership in digital safety.