Experts express skepticism toward ‘challenging’ SFO strategy
By 
Neil Hodge2024-05-31T15:47:00
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office (SFO) last month published its five-year strategic plan outlining how it intends to improve information gathering and international cooperation, as well as its enforcement record.
Under its new director, Nick Ephgrave, the SFO wants to upskill its workforce so investigators can use the latest tech to streamline case management and make better use of the agency’s resources. It wants to pursue a more proactive approach to crime prevention using both existing powers and potential new ones, including exploring whistleblower incentivization and pushing for a better disclosure regime.
In 2026/27, the SFO will conduct a mid-plan assessment to see if its efforts are paying off.
Related articles
-
PremiumExperts question effectiveness of new enforcement tool SFO is finally wielding
The U.K.’s Serious Fraud Office has made its first use of an enforcement tool that was meant to bring oligarchs and kleptocrats to book. But lawyers are unsure whether the move signifies either a change in direction or fortune for the agency.
-
PremiumExperts: Prepare now with U.K. failure to prevent fraud offense on horizon
Fraud prevention is about to get more complicated with penalties rising sharply for U.K. organizations. Starting Sept. 1, larger businesses will be liable to criminal prosecution if any of their employees–or an agent, subsidiary, or other “associated person”–commits fraud that is intended to benefit the company.
-
News BriefFrench defense contractor Thales Group under investigation for bribery in Asia
French defense and aviation contractor Thales Group is under investigation by authorities in the U.K. and France for allegedly participating in bribery and corruption.
More from Regulatory Policy
-
PremiumU.K. FCA establishes framework for unlisted companies to trade shares on a ‘buyer-beware’ basis
Private companies that are keen to trade their shares but do not wish to become listed have gained another way to trade their shares. The U.K. government completed its initial review and published rules for the system in June.
-
ArticleDOJ is ramping up, not ramping down, health care fraud enforcement
While the Trump administration may have shifted away from pursuing small, white-collar, financial crimes, its focus on health care fraud cases is as hot as ever.
-
ArticleU.K. enforcement appetite over off-channel comms grows as U.S. wanes
The U.K’.s financial regulator has given a strong indication that financial firms’ use of unauthorized devices and apps is under scrutiny and that policies around off-channel communications need to be tightened up.