Guidance For Private Applicants

When a case is referred to us, we will institute proceedings only if it appears, on reasonable grounds, to involve serious or complex fraud. The key criterion for deciding whether we should accept a case is that the suspected fraud is such that the direction of the investigation should be in the hands of those responsible for the prosecution.

If you wish to report a fraud to the SFO please examine our acceptance criteria first.

You will see that, amongst other factors, the Serious Fraud Office takes into consideration how much money is involved in a fraud. Typically, the SFO does not investigate or prosecute cases involving less than £1 million.

If you wish to report a criminal offence of fraud which does not appear to meet the criteria of the SFO you should bring the matter to the attention of your local police or regional fraud squad. Information about the Metropolitan Police Fraud Squad can be obtained from www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/index.htm.

If you are involved in a dispute or case that does not involve criminal offences you may wish to take independent legal advice.

If you have received a suspicious, letter, fax or e-mail emanating from West Africa or elsewhere and wish to report it to the appropriate authorities then you should hand it in to your local police station marked for the attention of the fraud squad. DO NOT REPLY TO THE LETTER ITSELF. Further information about these sorts of frauds can be obtained from the Office of Fair Trading.

Reporting A Fraud To The SFO

How much money is involved?*
*Typically, the SFO only investigates cases involving in excess of £1 million
How has the fraud been perpetrated? What has happened? Please provide full names of the people and companies involved.
Do you suspect that a large number of other people have also been defrauded?	No Yes
Do you have documentary evidence in support of your allegation(s)?*	No Yes
*if the answer is "yes" please retain this material for the time being. If it is necessary for you to send it to the SFO you will be asked to provide photocopies.
Please provide a contact address and telephone number.
Email Address

For information: If you are reporting a fraud to the SFO the matter will be carefully considered by members of the SFO's Policy Division. You are likely to receive a reply within 10 working days.