News

Former Unaoil executive sentenced for paying bribes to win $1.7bn worth of contracts

Basil Al Jarah has today been sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment for paying in excess of $17m in bribes to dishonestly secure approximately $1.7bn worth of contracts in post-occupation Iraq.

SFO charges four individuals with fraud at Balli Group and Balli Steel

The SFO has charged four individuals with various fraud offences in relation to the activities of Balli Group Plc and Balli Steel Plc.

Three former G4S executives charged with fraud against taxpayer

The Serious Fraud Office has charged three former executives of G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd (G4S C&J) with multiple offences in relation to a multi-year scheme to defraud the Ministry of Justice.

Lisa Osofsky address to the Cambridge Symposium on Economic Crime

Lisa Osofsky speaking at a presentation hosted by the Cambridge Symposium on Economic Crime.

Three individuals charged in Axiom Fund investigation

The Serious Fraud Office has charged three men with multiple offences in connection with its investigation into the collapse of the Axiom Legal Financing Fund.

SFO secures £5.45m confiscation order against ex-Afren CEO and COO

The SFO has today secured confiscation orders totalling £5,450,000 against the former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Afren. Former CEO Osman Shahenshah was ordered to pay £2,935,000 and former COO Shahid Ullah was ordered to pay £2,515,000.

Second former Unaoil executive sentenced for bribery in post-occupation Iraq

Stephen Whiteley, Unaoil’s former territory manager for Iraq, has today become the second Unaoil executive to be sentenced for paying over $500,000 in bribes to secure a $55m contract to supply offshore mooring buoys. He was sentenced by HHJ Beddoe to 3 years’ imprisonment.

SFO charges GPT and three individuals following corruption investigation

The Serious Fraud Office has brought charges against GPT Special Project Management Ltd and three individuals in connection with its investigation into allegations concerning the conduct of GPT’s business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

HMCPSI Inspection of SFO’s response to COVID-19: 16 March to 8 May 2020

The HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) conducted a review of the SFO’s immediate response to Covid-19.

Former Unaoil executive sentenced to five years for bribery in post-occupation Iraq

Ziad Akle has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for paying over $500,000 in bribes to secure a $55m contract to supply offshore mooring buoys.

SFO Annual Report and Accounts 2019-2020

Statement from the Director. I present the Annual Report for the Serious Fraud Office for the reporting year 2019-20.

SFO receives approval for DPA with G4S Care & Justice Services (UK) Ltd

The Serious Fraud Office has today received final approval to enter into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd (G4S C&J) relating to a scheme to defraud the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in connection with contracts for electronic monitoring of offenders. In entering the DPA, G4S C&J has accepted responsibility for three offences of fraud against the MoJ arising from the scheme to deceive the MoJ as to the true extent of G4S C&J’s profits between 2011 and 2012 from its contracts for the provision of electronic monitoring services. The scheme was designed to prevent the MoJ from attempting to decrease G4S C&J’s revenues under those contracts. The Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Lisa Osofsky, said: “This DPA ensures G4S C&J is held accountable for its methodical fraud against the Ministry of Justice. The DPA reflects our continued commitment to using the full range of tools available to us to hold corporates to account and ensure justice for victims of fraud.”