Serious Fraud Office (SFO) Investigations

Cases of serious fraud can have severe consequences and may take several months to investigate and bring to a close. Seeking assistance from our experienced financial crime solicitors can make all the difference to your defence against the SFO (Serious Fraud Office).

What Is Serious Fraud?

The term “serious fraud” usually refers to white-collar crime such as bribery, corruption, money laundering or cheating the public revenue. Offences of this kind are investigated by the SFO (Serious Fraud Office).

Both individuals and businesses can become the subject of serious fraud office investigations by the Serious Fraud Office, and penalties may be severe.

Should serious fraud office investigations lead to criminal charges being brought, those found guilty may face unlimited fines or up to 10 years in prison. In extreme cases of cheating the public revenue on a large scale, custodial sentences may reach life imprisonment.

For this reason, if you discover that you or your company are suspected of wrongdoing by the serious fraud office, it is vital to seek legal assistance immediately.

Contact DBT & Partners today to discuss your case.

How Can DBT & Partners Help?

If you are concerned that you or your company may soon become the subject of serious fraud office investigations, there are numerous ways in which the serious fraud defence lawyers at DBT & Partners can assist you.

Due to the complexity of cases of this kind, court cases can often go on for considerable periods. Our solicitors can help you to navigate this process, helping you to collect evidence to prove your innocence and build a strong defence against the Serious Fraud Office.

Should you be found guilty of serious fraud, we can also help you to appeal your penalty and pursue its commutation to something lesser.

DBT & Partners’ serious fraud solicitors have over 30 years’ worth of experience in successfully representing clients accused of large-scale financial crime. We can provide valuable advice and help you build a strong defence.

What Is The SFO’s Approach To Serious Crime Cases?

The Serious Fraud Office is a prolific body that regularly has approximately 60 live cases being investigated simultaneously. Many of these cases are very high profile and may not play out within the public domain.

Often, SFO investigations reach beyond UK borders and involve individuals and companies operating overseas as well as domestic subjects.

The reason these investigations often take a great deal of time to conclude is that they regularly involve multiple branches and large amounts of money – with many perpetrators going to extreme lengths to disguise their undertakings.

As a result, there is often a great amount of information for investigators to uncover and analyse before a sentence may be considered.

To avoid a lengthy serious fraud case that will take a great deal of time, effort and money to resolve.

Serious Fraud Lawyers: FAQ’s

What constitutes a serious fraud offence investigation?

Investigations of this kind are usually related to cases of suspected tax evasion or avoidance, money laundering, bribery, corruption, forgery, embezzlement or wage theft.

How long do serious fraud trials last?

This varies from case to case depending on the complexity of the schemes involved and the amount of money that has been defrauded. Trials can last weeks or even months as every aspect is investigated and all documentation studied.

What sentence does serious fraud carry?

Those found guilty of serious fraud will most commonly face up to ten years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Serious Fraud Specialists

The serious fraud specialists at DBT & Partners understand the complex nature of these cases and will offer you expert advice and guidance throughout the process. Contact us today.