Lilshira
Anti‑fraud lessons introduced in England schools for pupils aged 10‑18
New anti‑fraud lessons are being rolled out to schools across England, providing pupils aged 10‑18 and their parents with guidance on spotting financial scams, money‑muling and sextortion. The programme starts immediately as part of the government's Fraud Strategy and complements the recently introduced RSHE curriculum.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Anti‑fraud lessons added to school teaching for ages 10‑18
- Timing
- Rollout begins now across schools in England
- Who is affected
- Pupils aged 10‑18, their parents and school staff
The details
- Announced by
- UK Home Office
- Previous rule
- Schools previously delivered only the RSHE curriculum without dedicated anti‑fraud sessions.
- New rule
- Specialist anti‑fraud lessons are now required for pupils aged 10‑18 and their parents, covering financial exploitation, money‑muling and sextortion.
Lesson content and delivery
Specialist classes will be run for children aged 10 to 18 and their parents. The sessions teach how to recognise warning signs, explain the methods criminals use to target teenagers and provide clear steps for reporting suspicious activity.
- Topics include financial scams, money‑muling, sextortion and legal consequences
- Resources designed by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit with the PSHE Association
- Teachers can embed the material within existing RSHE lessons
Why the government introduced it
The rollout responds to a sharp rise in money‑muling and fraud affecting young people. In 2025, 22,000 incidents were reported, with one in five involving someone under 21. Fraud now accounts for 47% of all crime surveyed in England and Wales, and financially motivated sexual extortion is also increasing.
- 22,000 money‑muling incidents reported in 2025
- One in five cases involved a person under 21
- Fraud represents 47% of surveyed crime in England and Wales
Implementation and support
The government‑funded programme sits outside the statutory curriculum but aligns with the new RSHE requirements. Guidance will be issued to teachers, parents and carers, and schools can access the resources online. Ongoing support will be provided by police and safeguarding teams to ensure the lessons reach all pupils promptly.
- Resources available through the Home Office website and PSHE Association
- Police and safeguarding teams will offer expertise and referral information
- Rollout continues throughout the academic year as schools adopt the material
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travellers with children do not need to change any existing travel bookings because the lessons are delivered in schools, not at borders
- No alterations to entry requirements or visa processes result from the anti‑fraud education rollout
Cost and documents
- There are no new fees for families or schools associated with the anti‑fraud lessons
- No additional paperwork or documentation is required from travellers
What you need to do
- Parents should check with their child's school for information on when the anti‑fraud lesson will be held
- Teachers must incorporate the provided resources into RSHE sessions as soon as they receive them
Who this affects
-
Pupils aged 10‑18 in England
The lessons target children in this age range to teach them how to recognise financial exploitation
What to do They will attend the specialist anti‑fraud sessions as part of the school curriculum
-
Parents and carers of pupils aged 10‑18
Resources are also provided to parents so they can support children in spotting scams
What to do They are encouraged to review the guidance material supplied by schools
-
Teachers delivering RSHE
Teachers receive extra guidance to embed anti‑fraud content alongside existing RSHE lessons
What to do They must integrate the new resources into their teaching plans
-
School safeguarding teams
Safeguarding staff will use the lessons to improve early detection of fraud‑related risks
What to do They should ensure the support pathways are communicated to pupils
-
Police and law‑enforcement partners
The programme was designed by specialist officers to align with the national fraud strategy
What to do They will provide expertise and referral information as outlined in the guidance
Frequently asked questions
What are the new anti‑fraud lessons introduced in England schools?
The new anti‑fraud lessons are specialist classroom sessions for pupils aged 10‑18 and their parents that teach how to identify financial scams, money‑muling and sextortion, and explain how to report suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
When will the anti‑fraud lessons start in schools?
The lessons are being rolled out immediately across schools in England, with each school scheduling sessions as it receives the government‑funded resources during the current academic year.
Who will receive the anti‑fraud education?
All pupils between 10 and 18 years old, their parents or carers, and the teachers responsible for delivering RSHE will receive the anti‑fraud education as part of the school programme.
How are the lessons delivered to students?
Schools can use the specialist teaching resources created by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the PSHE Association, embedding them within existing RSHE lessons or delivering them as separate sessions.
Are there any costs for families or schools?
No additional fees are charged to families or schools; the anti‑fraud lessons are fully funded by the government as part of the national Fraud Strategy.
How does this relate to the RSHE curriculum?
The anti‑fraud lessons complement the recently introduced RSHE curriculum, providing age‑appropriate safeguarding education that aligns with the government's broader effort to reduce financial exploitation of young people.
