Crime and Policing

Earlier this month, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) published its new strategy for the next five years. This follows on from Nick Ephgrave's promise of a bold new approach in his inaugural public address as director of the SFO. However, scratch the surface and much of the content and rhetoric in these recent pronouncements has a very familiar look to it.

https://www.mondaq.com/uk/white-collar-crime-anti-corruption--fraud/1479946/sfos-five-year-strategy-an-innovative-new-plan-or-a-case-of-d%C3%A9j%C3%A0-vu-all-over-again

Last month Nick Ephgrave, the new director of the Serious Fraud Office, set out his vision for an organisation whose success has otherwise been limited by challenges.

While many of the SFO chief’s proposals are not new to regulators in other jurisdictions or to lawyers representing businesses being investigated, the SFO finally appears to be taking steps to level the playing field for its benefit.

A series of funding deals between private entities and City of London Police to help fight fraud highlights the ongoing funding pressures faced by the police force, experts have said.

City of London Police received more than £13m a year for the last three years through “commercial partnerships”, according to summaries of its accounts, which, depending on the financial year, make up around seven per cent of the force’s total budget.

Cheshire Constabulary is appealing to the public to assist in locating Damien Tideswell, 42, who is wanted for defrauding a Chester couple out of £350,000.

Tideswell, who is from Hale Drive, Liverpool, and has links to Flintshire, failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, May 2.

Under its energetic new director Nick Ephgrave, the Serious Fraud Office aims to be the “preeminent, specialist, innovative and collaborative agency that leads the fight against serious and complex fraud, bribery and corruption”.

https://www.ftadviser.com/opinion/2024/04/25/new-energetic-director-is-taking-the-sfo-in-a-bold-direction/

A major operation is underway in Manchester as officers swoop on a suspected organised crime gang linked to fraud, money laundering and illegal immigration. Greater Manchester Police has confirmed a probe into an alleged criminal network, which is believed to have made 'vast profits' by producing fake identities and businesses.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/two-men-arrested-major-crackdown-201531854.html

The UK public agency involved in the fight against corruption, fraud and bribery has been through a difficult period, beset by delays and increasing demands on its time. The organisation has set out a five-year strategy.

The UK Serious Fraud Office, has reportedly launched a review of its past and present cases after finding problems with software used in evidence disclosure. The SFO has also set out its five-year strategy, showing that it intends to use new powers and tools to crack down on alleged wrongdoers.

The alleged crimes include high-value fraud and drug offences with incidents spanning the North East, Lanarkshire and Glasgow.

Four men and a woman have appeared in court charged in connection with involvement in serious organised crime across Scotland after an elderly man was defrauded out of more than £100,000.

https://news.stv.tv/scotland/five-appear-in-glasgow-and-aberdeen-courts-after-elderly-man-defrauded-out-of-more-than-100000

The Serious Fraud Office’s strategy, launched on 18th April 2024, sets our organisation’s direction, shaping our values, approach and goals over the next five years.

https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2024/04/18/serious-fraud-office-strategy-2024-2029/

‘LabHost’, a service that was set up in 2021 by a criminal cyber network, enabled the creation of ‘phishing’ websites designed to trick victims into revealing personal information such as email addresses, passwords and bank details.

Users were able to log on and choose from existing sites or request bespoke pages replicating those of trusted brands, including banks, healthcare agencies and postal services.