Corporate and Financial Crime

Advance Fee Fraud covers instances where customers are asked to pay for goods or services upfront, believing there is a financial benefit to this process. But, when it comes to the receipt of these paid-for goods or services, they never materialise. Our Fraud Solicitors can offer legal support to both individuals and businesses who are accused. 

Carousel Fraud, also known as VAT Fraud or Missing Trader Intra Community Fraud (MTIC), covers instances where goods have been imported from EU countries. Often involving technical products such as mobile phones, Carousel Fraud cases identify cases where products have been purchased VAT-free but are sold at VAT-inclusive prices. The initial provider of the VAT-free products then vanishes, without paying the missing VAT to HMRC.

VAT Fraud cases are often complex, with many honest people getting innocently caught up along the way. Whether your business has become unknowingly involved or is faced with criminal proceedings, our Fraud Solicitors can help you.

Charity Fraud involves using deception to encourage others to make a donation, where these funds are instead embezzled and used dishonestly. Our Fraud Solicitors are able to represent you in these cases whether you are a trustee or employee, or whether you have been charged with internal or external fraudulent activity.

Internal charges include misusing charity credit cards, keeping donations and inaccurately recording expenses. Whereas, external charges are posed on those who have defrauded a charity to which they have no connection, including using identity fraud to withdraw money from a charity.

Counterfeiting and Forgery cases can range from faking particular documents, including land registration paperwork and passports to juridical documentation. Under acts, such as the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 and the Identity Documents Act 2010, businesses and individuals can be held accountable for their illicit actions. Our Fraud Solicitors have a wide understanding of the legislature under this type of fraud and can, therefore, offer thorough legal advice and representation.

Our Fraud Solicitors have a wealth of experience countering accusations of credit and debit card fraud. These cases can be extremely complex, especially when charges are brought. The prosecution team must provide evidence to suggest that actions have been carried out with criminal intent. However, this evidence must be admissible in court and collated via proper channels.

Diversion Fraud is often an extremely damaging accusation that is categorised into inward and outward excise fraud. Regardless of which you are accused of, our Fraud Solicitors have the knowledge and experience to provide this specialist service.

Outward Diversion Fraud refers to cases where goods that are being transported to a UK-based warehouse, ready for outward exportation to the EU, are illegally retained in the UK market. These products are transported under duty suspension, requiring the involvement of hauliers, distributors, vendors and warehouse workers. The process involves forged documents including accompanying administrative documents (AAD) and consignment notes, falsifying that the goods reached their intended destination.

Inward Diversion Fraud, however, refers to goods that have been duty suspended during their importation from an EU warehouse, supposedly intended for a UK warehouse. The goods will be checked on the route and, to be imported, will require the AAD paperwork to match the intended warehouse. When these documents do not marry up, the consignment is diverted to the UK market despite the outstanding excise payment. Forged warehouse stamps will then be applied to cover the tracks.

Cases of fraud that fall under False Accounting are covered in the Theft Act 1968, Section 17. These offences include accounts that have been intentionally falsified, altered or inaccurately recorded, looking to provide deceptive records. Our Fraud Solicitors are able to advise businesses and individuals that face these allegations. Whether you are based in a large organisation or a smaller, family-run company, we have the expertise to represent you.

Fraudulent investment schemes promise their investors lavish returns in short periods of time; however, often they are repaid with money from other investors or their own case. Common cases of investment fraud involve Ponzi or pyramid investments, and high-yield and land banking schemes. All regulated investment opportunities must comply with the Financial Services and Market At 2000, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. If you have been accused of running one of these fraudulent investment schemes, Cartwright King can offer comprehensive protection from our Fraud Solicitors.

Banks and financial institutions can make allegations against businesses if they suspect fraudulent activity. In these instances, a business can find itself under police investigation and being invited for voluntary interviews, as well as those under caution. Legal representation is a must in these circumstances. Fortunately, at Cartwright King, we have the expertise to advise you through these allegations of fraud.

Cases involving Income Tax Fraud can quickly become extremely complex and, therefore, require the knowledge of specialist Fraud Solicitors. At Cartwright King, our team of lawyers comprises solicitors, accountants, computer forensic experts and electronic evidence experts, allowing us to advise you regarding your allegations. Our experience allows us to identify the limits of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) limits, protecting you from disclosing particular information.

Experienced and highly skilled Fraud Solicitors are required to present a robust case against Insider Dealing and Market Abuse. This type of fraud is particularly serious, with prison sentences and unlimited fines possible. Disclosing inside information about a business and’ tipping off’ unauthorised individuals can result in others trading off your advice. Regardless of how complex your allegations are, we can provide you with strong legal advice to formulate your strong defence.

If you need to defend the chargers of insurance and benefit fraud, Cartwright King Fraud Solicitors can provide you with experienced legal representation. These types of fraud can vary significantly from false claims to receiving insurance payouts to collections of benefits you are not entitled to. If your business has become caught up in either insurance or benefits fraud, we can guide you through the entire case, working to achieve the most favourable conclusion.

Mortgage fraud presents itself in misrepresentations of finances, embellishment of job roles, inflation of salaries, disguising unfavourable credit history and hiding debt. It is common amongst those who are struggling to get a footing on the property ladder; however, many businesses are also accused of mortgage fraud.

Mortgage fraud is extremely serious, with prison sentences possible for those found guilty. During such cases, our Fraud Solicitors have the expertise and in-depth understanding to provide you with high-quality legal support.

If your business is faced with a complaint by a member of staff or Pensions Regulator, our Corporate and Financial Crime Lawyers can assist and support you throughout your Pensions Fraud case. Whether your complaint is regarding a failure to comply with legislation or an investigation for evidence of a criminal offence, we can provide you with a robust defence.