News

Serious Fraud Office raids three properties and makes four arrests in new £140m property fraud investigation

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today raided three residences and made four arrests in Merseyside and Greater Manchester as it announced it is investigating Signature Group, a business that attracted over a thousand UK and international investors in the redevelopment of iconic landmarks including Belfast’s Scottish Mutual Building and the Coal Exchange in Cardiff.

SFO charges two former Petrofac senior executives with bribery

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today charged two former Petrofac senior executives Marwan Chedid and George Salibi, with bribery. 

Director Ephgrave’s speech at RUSI 13 February 2024

On Tuesday 13 February 2024, Nick Ephgrave QPM gave his first public speech as Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to an audience which included representatives from the media, the UK criminal justice sector and law enforcement partners, at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London.

Convicted fraudster sentenced following third name change

Today at Southwark Crown Court, convicted fraudster David Hardie, formerly known as David Black and David Diaz, received a 16 month custodial sentence (suspended for two years) for breaching an order obtained by the Serious Fraud Office which required him to notify the authority about any name changes.

Serious Fraud Office charges two company directors over £88m car lease scheme

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today charged former company directors Reginald Larry-Cole and Scott Martin with fraud in relation to the nationwide car leasing scheme, Buy2Let Cars, which attracted hundreds of British savers to pay in around £88 million.

SFO secures second conviction of solar panel fraudster

Today at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) successfully prosecuted the convicted £17 million solar panel fraudster David Black for the second time, after investigators discovered he was using a different name in business dealings in breach of conditions enacted after his release from prison.

SFO launches criminal investigation into global aviation supplier with dawn raid in London

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today raided an address and arrested one individual, as it announces the launch of a new criminal investigation into fraud at AOG Technics Ltd, an aircraft parts supplier that serviced several major airlines in the UK and abroad.

SFO confiscates over £450,000 from CEO and a senior executive behind global finance fraud

Today, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) secured over £466,000 from former Balli Steel Plc. executives who are currently in prison after a successful prosecution by the UK’s specialist anti-fraud agency. In March 2023, CEO Nasser Alaghband and senior executives Melis Erda and Louise Worsell were jailed for over 12 years in prison for defrauding over […]

SFO secures nine month sentence for solicitor who tipped off client about criminal investigation

Today at the Old Bailey, the solicitor William Osmond was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, for tipping off his client about an SFO money laundering investigation and issuing investigators with a forged document. Osmond was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £5000 toward the SFO’s costs.

SFO recovers £250,000 tennis club debenture from convicted fraudster

Today at Southwark Crown Court, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) confiscated £250,000 from Achilleas Kallakis, one of the convicted fraudsters behind the UK’s largest ever mortgage fraud, held at the prestigious West London sports club, The Queen’s Club.

SFO secures conviction of solicitor for tipping off client about money laundering investigation

Today at the Old Bailey the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) secured the conviction of William Osmond, a solicitor, who disclosed confidential details about an investigation and forged a legal document in an attempt to mislead investigators.

Serious Fraud Office launches investigation into suspected fraud at Axiom Ince with nine raids and seven arrests

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today arrested seven individuals and carried out searches across nine sites, as it announces the launch of a criminal investigation into collapsed law firm Axiom Ince and £66m of missing client money.