Private Sector

BES Utilities owner Andy Pilley has been found guilty of fraud as a seven month long trial concluded on Friday (19 May 2023) at Preston Crown Court.

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2114944-lancashire-energy-company-owner-found-guilty-of-fraud-charges

Speedy has ruled out fraud following an investigation after £20m of kit was discovered “missing” earlier this year.

The hire giant launched a probe in February after a count-up of its kit revealed a £20.4m stock deficit in smaller site items like scaffolding towers, fencing and non-mechanical plant.

https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/05/18/speedy-rules-out-fraud-after-20m-of-kit-goes-missing/

The Insolvency Service last year launched 36 per cent more investigations into the alleged misconduct of directors of insolvent companies than the year before, data from international law firm RPC shows.

https://www.cityam.com/fraud-warning-as-insolvency-surge-sees-more-directors-investigated-for-corporate-misconduct/

Stanmore consultancy boss claimed £25,000 before closing the business in effort to avoid repaying taxpayer loan.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/london-businessman-convicted-for-bounce-back-loan-fraud

The National Bed Federation (NBF) has once again raised the issue of mattress fraud, in which unsuspecting consumers are being tricked into buying cheap mattresses that purport to be made with much higher specifications.

https://www.furniturenews.net/news/articles/2023/05/1315557673-mattress-fraud-costing-industry-100m-year-says-nbf#.ZFS50RqcIKM.twitter

It all might sound a bit complicated to people outside of the professional temporary work sector, but contractor recruitment fraud is a long-running scam of many years, still thriving today in 2023, in part due to its simplicity.

https://www.contractoruk.com/news/0015884contractor_recruitment_fraud_old_scam_still_producing_new_victims.html

A car dealership worker from Roadside Motors’ Edwin May business in Coleraine has appeared in court to face theft and fraud charges amounting to more than £450,000.

https://www.am-online.com/news/latest-news/2023/04/25/edwin-may-car-dealership-employee-accused-of-fraud-worth-over-450-000

The success of the UK government’s new economic crime plan is likely to depend on the proper resourcing of those delegated with responsibility to deliver its aims, according to one legal expert.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/en-gb/out-law/news/resourcing-key-to-success-of-uks-economic-crime-plan

A British technology tycoon facing extradition to the United States has lost an appeal bid.

https://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/national/23471524.tech-tycoon-loses-us-extradition-challenge-autonomy-fraud-case/?ref=twtrec

Business fraud increased by 25% in the year ending March 2022, according to latest ONS statistics, compared with 2020, and the Government believes it is set to increase by another 25%.

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2113478-call-for-businessess-to-work-together-in-face-of-rising-fraud-levels