Fraud

With fraud estimated to cost the UK economy over £200bn per year, businesses and individuals need expert support and advice whether they suspect fraud, are a victim of it or are accused of fraudulent conduct.

The speed and nature of your response are critical to minimising losses, identifying the culprit, mitigating further harm, protecting your reputation and dealing with key stakeholders.

Our team of civil fraud experts provides comprehensive fraud investigation and response services. We oversee complex, multijurisdictional fraud investigations, working to identify wrongdoers and robustly seek recourse by whatever means are appropriate for your situation.

Fraud covers many things, but we have specific expertise across four areas of fraud:

Commercial fraud

Our team investigates and litigates a wide range of commercial fraud matters, both in the courts and through arbitration. These include fraudulent investment schemes such as ‘Ponzi’ schemes and fractional investments, insurance fraud, fraudulent trading in an insolvency context, cryptocurrency-related fraud and ‘romance’ scams.

We also advise on fraud in the context of a corporate transaction, such as misrepresentation, as well as sham deeds or transactions.

We pursue civil fraud claims against directors, employees and third parties, as well as conducting international asset tracing. We regularly utilise search and seizure orders, freezing injunctions, disclosure and notification orders, proprietary injunctions and other strategies to gain a competitive advantage and prevent asset dissipation. Additionally, we leverage Insolvency Act powers to enhance our anti-fraud capabilities.

Insolvency Fraud

We have successfully represented a growing number of insolvency clients in ongoing HMRC fraud investigations, often appointed by HMRC through emergency provisional liquidations. Our efforts have uncovered over £2bn in tax fraud. Our first-class insolvency team is deeply committed to tackling the increase in fraudulent activity in the business world and applies its significant experience when working on these complex cases.

Art and luxury fraud

Our expertise in art and luxury asset fraud continues to grow, underpinned by a steadily increasing roster of high-profile cases and clients. Our team has carried out meticulous investigations, uncovering frauds involving well-known celebrities, the fraudulent marketing of art as investments and fraud by dishonest galleries.

Utilities fraud

We have a specialised team that supports energy providers in pursuing energy theft and fraud and addressing secret or half-secret broker claims.

Private client fraud

In collaboration with our market-leading private client team, we have a wealth of experience tackling everything from romance fraud and investment schemes to significant phishing scams and cyber-attacks involving individuals, corporates and family offices, as well as advisers such as trustees or offshore corporate services providers. These cases often involve sensitive issues relating to family members or connected parties, as well as confidentiality and reputation concerns that need to be addressed with focus and tact.

The team also has several experienced search and seizure supervising solicitors who work closely with asset tracers and specialist fraud investigation and forensic technology experts.