5 Month Contract With A Local Authority

To protect consumers from online harm by investigating, disrupting, and preventing criminal activity across digital platforms, including counterfeit goods, illicit tobacco, and large-scale frauds. This role involves enforcement, research, digital forensics, and capacity building within the trading standards profession.

Key Responsibilities:

• Investigate and disrupt online criminal activity, including the sale of counterfeit, unsafe, or illicit goods, and large-scale consumer frauds.
  

• Conduct open-source intelligence gathering (OSINT) and online research to identify criminal networks and online threats.
  

• Support the Disruptions Team Leader in delivering enforcement operations and projects as outlined in the National Trading Standards eCrime Team’s service plan.
  

• Assist in preparing and delivering criminal enforcement cases, including evidence collection, witness statements, and file building for prosecution.
  

• Work collaboratively with local and regional trading standards teams across England and Wales to support and enhance their capacity to investigate eCrime.
  

• Capture, manage, and disseminate intelligence reports, ensuring accurate and timely data entry into national intelligence databases.
  

• Support the development and sharing of best practices and toolkits for online investigations within the trading standards community.
  

• Engage with online platforms, domain registrars, and hosting providers to take down harmful websites and online content.
  

• Assist in the delivery of training, workshops, and awareness sessions for trading standards professionals.
  

• Liaise with external partners, including law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders, to support coordinated enforcement.
  

• Contribute to the work of the Digital Evidence Unit by assisting with the forensic analysis of electronic devices (e.g., laptops, smartphones, tablets), where required.
  

• Stay up to date with emerging trends in cybercrime, digital fraud, and online consumer threats.
  

Requirements

• Knowledge of consumer protection legislation, cybercrime, and eCommerce regulations.
  

• Experience in digital investigations, online intelligence gathering, or cyber-enforcement.
  

• Understanding of intelligence handling procedures (e.g., National Intelligence Model, 5x5x5).
  

• Strong communication and report-writing skills for enforcement and legal proceedings.
  

• Familiarity with digital forensic tools and techniques (desirable for higher grades).