Fraud and Regulatory Law

At Platts Solicitors with over 100 years’ experience between us we can deal with any highly complex areas of the case, robustly challenging any evidence made against you. We have a formidable reputation right across the industry for defending cases of serious high value fraud, with a tenacity and attention to detail, which will help us provide you with the best and most effective defence available.

Businesses and professionals are more stringently regulated than ever as legislations have been designed to stop fraud and money laundering. Subsequently, businesses can be subject to regulatory investigations and criminal proceedings, causing huge turmoil and ambiguity.

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2012 gives courts huge powers to enforce and seize assets suspected of being obtained from criminal activity, which can lead to a lengthy period of imprisonment.

At Platts Solicitors we can provide expert legal advice in the event of government agencies including the National Crime Agency (NCA) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) imposing restraint orders under civil proceedings in instances when an individual has not been charged with a criminal offence. With our skill and expertise, we can assist in the lifting of an injunction or restraint order.

High Value Serious Fraud

In the event that you or your business is facing allegations of serious high value fraud, it is imperative that you contact Platts Solicitors before making any important decisions. Fraud is the act of deception for financial or personal gain, in high value cases that personal gain must represent a significant amount.

Crimes considered to be serious high value fraud include:

  • Bribery and corruption – such as political or corporate corruption

  • Corporate fraud – such as asset stripping and fraudulent trading

  • Investment fraud – such as share scams and pyramid schemes

  • Money laundering – such as handling the proceeds of crime

  • Mortgage fraud – such as falsifying the application

If you are under investigation or are currently facing charges of fraud, your case will be dealt with by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), an independent government agency which has unique powers and the ability to compel any individual or company to provide any information or documentation that it believes are relevant to their investigation including any related material held abroad. These powers are contained in The Criminal Justice Act (2).

Platts Solicitors with over 30 years’ experience will guide you and robustly defend your case. We will liaise with the SFO and other authorities on your behalf advising you on each step of the way. We have the skill and knowledge to deal with key enforcement agencies such as:

  • The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

  • The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

  • The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

  • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

  • The Serious Fraud Office (SFO)

 High value fraud is committed through one of three deception methods:

  • Providing false information

  • A failure to disclose information

  • An abuse of power

An SFO investigation can involve many experts which could include; data analysts, forensic accountants and IT specialists who will investigate financial discrepancies and inaccuracies to identify fraudulent activity, financial misrepresentation or misconduct.

The penalties for the most serious of fraud cases include lengthy custodial sentences and substantial fines.

Benefit Fraud

At Platts Solicitors we have specialist knowledge and expertise in defending allegations of benefit fraud. Benefit fraud is a criminal offence in which an individual claim more benefit money from the government than they are entitled to. Such benefits include; Jobseeker’s Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit.

The failure to inform the Department of Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances or being deliberately dishonest about your circumstances when applying for benefits include:

  • Failing to tell the benefits office about your full financial circumstances. For example, by not mentioning any savings you may have in an effort to increase your benefit entitlement.

  • Failing to update the benefits office of any change in circumstances which may impact your benefits entitlement.

  • Misleading the benefits office regarding you living arrangements. For example, someone claiming as a single parent despite living with a partner.

  • The use of forged documents to claim benefits.

Throughout the investigation process the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP), Local Authorities, HMRC and Fraud Investigation Officers are entitled to visit home addresses of suspects, monitor suspects daily life, bank statements and scrutinise suspects partaking in activities in order to acquire evidence.

As part of the investigation an interview under caution or an informal interview can be conducted. Although an informal interview may not seem as serious, everything is recorded and could be used as evidence as it carries the same purpose as an interview under caution. Therefore, it is imperative that you instruct DWP expert lawyers such as Platts Solicitors.

If you have been invited to attend an interview, call us today on 0161 834 3114.

If found guilty, the typical benefit fraud conviction will require all of the money  to be paid back  which has been obtained illegally alongside a penalty of up to £5,000. In addition to this, state benefits could be reduced or stopped entirely, in more serious cases criminal charges could be instigated and the case will proceed to the Magistrates’ Court. There is also the possibility of the case being transferred to the Crown Court and with this there are increased sentencing powers, which includes a custodial sentence of up to seven years.

If convicted of council housing fraud, the local authority has the powers to cancel tenancy agreements and evict an individual from their home. Housing fraud includes:

  • Making dishonest claims when making an application for the property.

  • Subletting the property without prior authorisation.

  •  Continuing to occupy the property after the legal tenant has died.


    Contact Us

    From offices across Manchester, we serve clients throughout the country. You can contact our benefit fraud solicitors in Manchester online or by phone on 0161 834 3114 and on our office out of hours number 07977 402020


    Forgery

    Serious forgery usually involves the faking of legal documents that are necessary according to certain legislation, examples of forged documents include: Birth, marriage and death certificates, Passports, Allegations of forgery are taken very seriously by prosecution bodies, and if you’re found to be guilty, Judicial documents, Statutes and executive documents, Driving licences.  Penalties can include a prison sentence and large fines. Therefore, it is vital you seek legal advice no matter what type of forgery charges you are facing, as a positive approach to an investigation can reduce the risk of facing severe penalties.