An experiment to recover money for the victims of online fraud resulted in half the victims getting at least some of their cash back, according to an evaluation of the scheme by CapGemini.

One quarter of the 211 victims who took part in the project got all their money back while another 25% received a percentage. The project focused on people who had bought items online but never received them.

The project involved the victims bringing in bailiffs and recovery specialists from two private organisations to claim back the money without the police being involved.

‘The police are often accused of doing too little for victims of online fraud,’ the police said in a statement. ‘That gave rise to the idea of forwarding such cases to two organisations, so that they could start procedures to ensure that as many victims as possible get their money back.’

In total, 87% of the fraudsters either paid back the money or went on to face charges, police said.