Over 500 suspects were arrested as part of a major UK police operation cracking down on fraud, according to the National Crime Agency.

Operation Henhouse, now in its fifth year of operation, had its most successful year yet, with 557 arrests and the freezing and seizing of millions of assets connected to ongoing fraud operations.

The operation also lead to 172 voluntary interviews, 249 cease and desist notices, account freezing orders against £9 million, and the seizures of assets with £18.1m.

Since the operation started five years ago, 1,904 people have been arrested and more than £67 million has been seized or disrupted.

2026 is the most successful intensification period yet, with every single UK police force and Regional Organised Crime Unit taking part in the operation. They were joined by national agencies including the Serious Fraud Office, National Crime Agency and National Trading Standards, and supported by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In 2026, wins includes Operation Mimic, which saw six people arrested and the freezing of £10m in assets, as well as the arrest of eight people and the freeing of accounts totallying £537,000 in a separate operation.

Further, six offshore call centres targeting UK consumers were identified, with 283 numbers being blocked, and a further 6.5m scam calls being blocked.

2026 also saw an increase in cash seizures of 19%, with £1.1 million seized by Merseyside Police and £721,00 seized by Cumbria Police as suspected proceeds of crime.

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“Operation Henhouse has once again delivered outstanding results, and this fifth year of coordinated enforcement action across the UK has been our most successful yet,” Nick Sharp, Deputy Director Fraud at the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) in the NCA, said.

“Since its inception, Henhouse has contributed to thousands of arrests and the recovery of millions of pounds linked to fraud, with each successive year building on the last.

“With the first convictions now being reported, Henhouse demonstrates the strength and reach of law enforcement, bringing together every police force, Regional Organised Crime Units, and key partner agencies to pursue fraudsters and protect the public.

“The results achieved across five years of Henhouse reflect the commitment of UK Law Enforcement and Policing to tackling one of the most prolific and harmful crimes affecting people and businesses across the country.”