All SFO articles
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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.
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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.
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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.
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PremiumSFO staffing shortages improve under new leadership
Staffing shortages that have plagued the U.K. Serious Fraud Office are trending in the right direction since its new director took charge, with the anti-bribery agency forging ahead with initiatives to ensure its future sustainability.
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PremiumExperts express skepticism toward ‘challenging’ SFO strategy
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office 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.
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News BriefSFO outlines five-year strategy amid ‘increasing pace of change’
The U.K.’s Serious Fraud Office said in a five-year strategic plan it’s “struggled to keep pace with demand” as ballooning casework shows no signs of slowing down.
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News BriefSFO launches probe into collapsed Carlauren Group
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office announced two raids and three arrests coinciding with the launch of an investigation into collapsed property developer Carlauren Group.
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PremiumSFO director support for whistleblower incentives enough to drive change?
When Nick Ephgrave of the Serious Fraud Office said in his maiden speech he favored paying whistleblowers in exchange for information, he might not have been fully aware of the implications, according to legal experts.
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PremiumExperts: No easy fix for U.K. senior manager accountability shortcomings
Legal experts generally agree the U.K.’s record for prosecuting board-level executives for financial and economic crime could be better. But some believe there is a problem criticizing poor enforcement when the legislation in place has its own shortcomings.
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News BriefSFO raids kick off probe into collapsed Signature Group
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office carried out several residential raids as it announced the launch of a criminal investigation into collapsed property investment firm Signature Group.
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PremiumNew SFO director vows quicker cases, stumps for whistleblower payouts
“Under my leadership, the SFO will be bolder, more pragmatic, more proactive,” said Nick Ephgrave in his first public speech as head of the U.K. Serious Fraud Office.
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News BriefSFO raids AOG Technics office in fraud probe
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office launched a fraud investigation into AOG Technics over allegations the company supplied fake airplane engine parts to major airlines across the globe.
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News BriefSFO investigating $83M of missing client funds by Axiom Ince
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office launched an investigation into collapsed law firm Axiom Ince and an estimated £66 million (U.S. $82.5 million) worth of client funds that went missing.
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News BriefSFO admits staffing challenges in annual report
Recruitment and retention are among the biggest issues facing the U.K. Serious Fraud Office as the agency gets set for a new director to take the reins.
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PremiumWhat should be priorities for incoming SFO director?
High staff turnover, low morale, and unattractive rates of pay are among the areas legal experts pointed to when discussing the potential agenda of Nick Ephgrave upon taking over as head of the U.K. Serious Fraud Office.
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PremiumSFO’s Balli Steel win latest to leverage international cooperation
The Serious Fraud Office secured the convictions of two executives at failed British steel trading business Balli Steel on six counts of fraud. Legal experts examine whether “record-breaking” international cooperation in the case served as a crutch for the U.K. regulator.
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ArticleGlencore Energy’s $324M fine for bribery comes with warning to others
Glencore Energy UK was ordered to pay nearly £281 million (U.S. $314 million) in fines and costs after an investigation by the U.K.’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) found it paid $29 million in bribes to gain preferential access to oil in Africa to boost profits.
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ArticleHBOS case latest example of U.K. senior exec accountability woes
The Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority ending their six-year investigations into former senior managers at HBOS without enforcement serves as reminder of the United Kingdom’s checkered history of bringing executives to book.
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ArticleSFO accepts ‘sobering’ results of Unaoil, Serco case reviews
The U.K.’s Serious Fraud Office was criticized for its leadership, culture, and conduct in a report examining why the agency botched a key corruption case against Unaoil that has now seen three convictions overturned.
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ArticleLaw firm Dechert, SFO criticized in ENRC case ruling
A High Court judge found the U.K. Serious Fraud Office induced a lawyer from Dechert acting for Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. to provide it with privileged and unauthorized information.