Three bestselling crime authors have harnessed the public's love of crime fiction to shed light on real-world scams. Clare Mackintosh, Vaseem Khan, and CL Taylor have collaborated with UK Finance's Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to produce a trilogy of gripping short stories titled Read Between the Lies.
While packed with plot twists and red herrings, the stories aim to bring scams to life and reveal the traps criminals set. According to the campaign, fraud stole over £1.17 billion in 2024, making it one of the most common crime threats. The tales are inspired by real fraud tactics, featuring cold callers, urgent payment demands, and scenarios that may not be what they seem. Readers are encouraged to use the same instincts detectives apply in crime novels to everyday situations.
The authors worked with the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU) to understand how these crimes unfold and the emotional toll on victims. Each story focuses on common and devastating scams, including romance scams (which caused £20.5 million in losses in the first half of 2025), investment scams (£97.7 million stolen in the same period), and impersonation scams (£45.1 million in losses).
Clare Mackintosh, a former Thames Valley Police inspector, said: "I've seen the devastation caused by fraud, but also the impact of crime prevention advice. Fraud is widespread, and spotting it often involves noticing small clues, just like in my thrillers. This campaign helps people slow down, question what they're told, and feel confident spotting when something is wrong."
Vaseem Khan, who has experienced impersonation fraud himself, added: "I know how unsettling it can be. Storytelling can show ordinary people the tactics behind scams, equipping them to spot signs and protect themselves." Mackintosh emphasized crime fiction's power: "It's a genre that encourages readers to question and look for clues. Using that instinct to understand fraud makes the advice stick."
Jess Cook from Take Five to Stop Fraud said: "Scammers constantly evolve their tactics, using sophisticated methods to exploit trust. Partnering with crime writers brings these tactics to life in a relatable way, helping people recognize warning signs and remember to stop, challenge, and protect."
The campaign urges people to: Stop – pause and think, as scams are cleverly disguised; Challenge – ask if it could be fake, and refuse requests; Protect – contact your bank immediately if scammed and report to police.
The short stories by Mackintosh, Khan, and Taylor are available on the Take Five website.
