Fraud allegations can be time-consuming and damaging for any professional or private individual. Our specialist financial lawyers will help you defend yourself, your assets and your reputation.
What is fraud?
Fraud occurs when someone uses false pretences in order to induce another person to provide goods, services or money. This could be by making a false claim, failing to disclose information or abusing a position to gain advantage.
Unlike some other crimes, fraud investigations are often carried out by specialist agencies, rather than the police. Fraud covers a wide variety of offences including mortgage fraud, VAT fraud, credit card fraud, share dealing and false accounting, as well as more serious fraud, money-laundering and tax or excise duty evasion.
Choose a solicitor who specialises in fraud cases
Stryders are experts in managing fraud cases and in helping businesses continue trading during the disruption of a lengthy investigation. Our specialist team works across the UK and has exceptional skills in managing complicated financial and documentary evidence spanning many years.
A number of our directors and senior solicitors have significant experience in dealing with lengthy complex trials for serious fraud, money-laundering and tax evasion stemming from high-profile fraud operations.
We are detailed and non-judgemental advocates in your best interests, supporting you through the justice process and proactively helping you manage the impact to your reputation.
What to do next if…
An allegation has been made
Contact us as soon as you’re aware of an allegation, even if you have not been arrested or asked to attend the police station voluntarily. This puts you in the best possible position as it means we can take urgent steps to secure evidence if necessary.
You have been arrested or asked to attend a police station for a voluntary interview
Don’t be tempted to talk to the police without taking good legal advice, as statements made in the early stages can have a huge impact on the outcome of the case. We offer 24/7 police station assistance. Ask for Stryders by name at the police station. It’s free and we will represent you during your interview.
You have been asked to attend court
If you do not already have a solicitor to represent you, now is the time to contact us urgently. We will prepare your case and represent you at magistrates’ court, crown court or the Court of Appeal. Where necessary, we can instruct a barrister on your behalf and will always liaise with you throughout the process.
Key facts about fraud cases
- Because of its specialist nature, fraud investigations are often carried out by a specialist agency rather than the police. These include the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO), the HMRC Special Compliance Office and others. Stryders’ specialists have experience in dealing with these organisations and understand their processes.
- Many people accused of fraud are professionals such as surveyors, mortgage brokers, financial advisors, accountants and solicitors who have never been charged with a criminal offence before. Stryders’ fraud solicitors are skilled experts who can help you protect your reputation and livelihood while the case concludes.
- A fraud investigation can result in financial penalties, the seizure, restraint or confiscation of your assets, and sometimes imprisonment. Stryders can often successfully apply for the release of any funds and assets to enable you or your business to continue your legal trading activities for the duration of the investigation.
- Fraud cases can be extremely challenging as they rely on complicated financial and documentary evidence that can span many years as well as numerous defendants. These cases require specialist knowledge and can involve a financial forensic analysis. Stryders has considerable experience in gathering and interrogating complex and financial documentation, and commissioning third party experts to build your defence.
Advice for people facing a fraud allegation
The first time you become aware of a fraud allegation might be when an investigator contacts you to attend an interview. Remember that you are entitled to have a legal representative with you. We strongly advise that you do not say anything to the investigator before you have taken the advice of a solicitor. Our team is available 24/7, so even if you decide at the last minute give us a call.
We will come to the interview with you, make sure you understand the allegations and give you confidential legal advice before representing you during your official interview.
We will then continue to liaise with the agency on your behalf, making sure you are kept informed of what’s happening and providing continued advice and guidance in a completely discreet and confidential way.
Where appropriate, we will also help make sure that you and your business can continue exercising your legal profession or business throughout the investigation, including applying for the return of seized assets or frozen funds.
We will work tirelessly to ensure all relevant evidence is disclosed to us and thoroughly reviewed to bring matters to a speedy termination wherever possible. If necessary, we will take steps to secure time-sensitive evidence or commission expert witnesses to support your defence.
If the case reaches court, we will represent you in any hearings or instruct a barrister if necessary.
Our legal support for people facing a charge of fraud
We understand how you feel
A charge of fraud can affect your life, your mental health, and those close to you, for a protracted period of time. We do not underestimate this. We will be a critical friend, acting in your interests, those of your reputation and your business. With Stryders, you can be sure of our complete attention. You’ll be assigned a named legal expert who will have access to all the expertise in our wider expert team and will work you in a completely discreet and confidential way.
You’ll get the best legal advice for your situation
All our specialist solicitors are highly respected among investigating agencies, police and the justice system. They will work proactively and closely with you on the specific elements of your case and present options to bring the case to the best possible conclusion. This includes liaising with the investigators, making sure you are kept informed of what’s happening and providing continued clear advice and robust guidance.
You’ll have access to representation 24/7
We work tirelessly to ensure all relevant evidence is disclosed to us and thoroughly reviewed to bring matters to a speedy termination wherever possible and are available to support you at a police interview 24/7. If necessary, we will take steps to secure evidence or commission expert witnesses to support your defence. If the case reaches court, we will represent you in any hearings. Our higher court lawyers have experience in representing people all the way up to the Court of Appeal and we can instruct a barrister where necessary.
We travel anywhere from London and the SouthEast to nationally
Our expert assistance extends to anywhere in the country. You can come to one of our offices in St Albans, Leighton Buzzard or Stevenage, or we can visit you at a neutral location or in prison or in custody if necessary.
Competitive legal fees for defending against fraud allegations
We offer a very competitive fee structure for all our fraud work. In serious cases representing a public interest, legal aid may be available. We will discuss making an application with you as part of our service.