01
Spiked
A person may become confused, unwell or unable to use their own phone.
A campaign for awareness. A call for change.
Spiked.Then drained.
The harm doesn’t always end with spiking.
We’re uncovering the connection to fraud and financial crime, and working to stop it.
A joint campaign by Stamp Out Spiking×The Financial Crime Lab
Two perspectives. One shared purpose.
The campaign
A stolen phone.
A missing memory.
A bigger story.
Spiking can leave a person vulnerable, disoriented and unable to recall what happened. But the harm may extend beyond the incident itself.
Spiked. Then Drained. explores how spiking may be used to gain access to someone’s phone and personal accounts. We’re bringing together lived experience and original research to make this overlooked risk visible.
Support the campaignHow the harm can unfold.
The social engineering sequence under investigation and its implications for financial crime.
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Trust exploited
An offer of help can be used to obtain a phone and its PIN when someone is vulnerable.
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Phone taken
The person may believe their phone is lost, leaving an offender with time and access.
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Accounts accessed
Access to a trusted device can put personal accounts and sensitive information at risk.
Behind every incident is a person
No memory.
Doesn’t mean
no harm.
Someone who has been spiked may not be able to explain what happened. That should never stop them being heard, believed and supported.
Reporting isn’t always immediate.
A person may be dealing with injury, distress or a gap in their memory before they realise their accounts are at risk.
Missing memories are not missing evidence.
Trauma and the effects of spiking can make an incident difficult to describe. Responses need to recognise that reality.
Responsibility lies with the offender.
Shame and victim-blaming keep people silent. A compassionate, informed response can help change that.
The people behind the project
Two halves of the same story.
Stamp Out Spiking
The UK charity led by founder Dawn Dines, campaigning for change, delivering accredited awareness training and working with victims on the ground.
Bringing lived experience, awareness and victim support.
Visit stampoutspiking.org
The Financial Crime Lab
A not-for-profit led by criminologist Dr Nicola Harding, researching fraud and social engineering and helping organisations understand emerging risks.
Bringing original research, handset testing and professional training.
Visit thefinancialcrimelab.com
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Support the
campaign.
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