Financial

A Lancashire individual has been handed a six-year sentence for fraud over an unauthorised investment scheme, which caused "irrevocable damage" to its victims.

Guy Flintham had pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Southwark Crown Court on February 19.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has long attracted much comment and criticism on its approach to investigating fraud and misconduct within the financial services industry. There is a long history of the UK having a soft touch on white collar crime of this type. The FCA is seeking to change this and launched a consultation on 27 February 2024, say Wedlake Bell's partner Frances Coulson and paralegal Laura Brookes.

https://investment-international.com/News/is-uk-financial-conduct-authoritys-approach-to-fraud-investigations-fit-for-purpose/

Jonathan Denton, formerly of US law firm Locke Lord, was convicted of two frauds alongside more than a dozen other individuals.

The multi-year investigation interviewed witnesses from across the UK, Europe, America and the Far East, and examined bank records linked to dozens of individuals and companies, North Yorkshire Police said.

An individual has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for providing a forged document to Financial Conduct Authority investigators.

On May 7, Taheer Sardar pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Southwark Crown Court.

The defendant had been interviewed by the FCA as part of an investigation it was conducting into a boiler room fraud that had defrauded 120 investors of £1.3mn.

https://www.ftadviser.com/regulation/2024/05/13/individual-sentenced-over-forged-document-in-1-3mn-boiler-room-fraud/

AI fraud and deepfakes are identified as top challenges for UK banks, according to a new report.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, AI-generated fraud and deepfakes are emerging as primary concerns, according to Mitek Systems’ latest report, the Identity Intelligence Index 2024.

The study surveyed 1500 financial services risk and innovation professionals across the UK, the US, and Spain. Among the key findings, 76% of banks reported an escalation in the sophistication of fraud cases, reflecting the evolving nature of financial crime.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said on 3 May it had secured the conviction of former investment manager David Kennedy for his part in a £100m investment fraud in which hundreds of people lost their savings, following a re-trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Kennedy and his business partner Timothy Schools managed the Cayman Island registered company Axiom Legal Finance Fund for over two years. They promised investors a secure return, by offering loans to UK law firms that were pursuing no-win-no-fee cases and where there was purportedly a high chance of success.

A multi-million pound fraud investigation – one of the biggest ever undertaken by North Yorkshire Police – has concluded after years of trials.

Investigators interviewed witnesses from across the UK, Europe, America and the Far East, and examined bank records linked to dozens of individuals and companies, as part of “Operation Circus Two”.

The Financial Conduct Authority has launched criminal proceedings against Lee Steven Maggs for two counts of fraud and one count of breaking the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

https://www.ftadviser.com/regulation/2024/04/23/fca-launches-criminal-proceedings-over-2-6mn-investment-fraud/

Fraudsters are making millions by conning people into investing in rare whiskies which don’t exist or have already been bought by someone else.

Experts have warned the rise in whisky cask investment schemes are ripe for exploitation by con artists and the fraudulent market now worth more than £150million.

Cases of bank fraud have been rising so it is important to be aware of how to spot fraud before you become a victim. Fraudsters are becoming well adept knowing how to target and scam people to gain access to accounts or to steal money from you. Don't be embarrassed and make sure you act as soon as you realise.

Contact your bank

If you think you are a victim of fraud your first step should be calling your bank as soon as you know to explain the situation.

https://www.finance-monthly.com/2024/04/what-to-do-if-you-are-a-victim-of-bank-fraud/