Fraud solicitor providing advice for all frauds including pyramid scheme fraud, ponzi fraud, insurance fraud, boiler room fraud, benefit fraud, missing trader fraud, VAT fraud,

The crisis in the financial industry has brought with it a surge in fraud allegations. Insurance fraud has doubled in the last year alone. In part it is fuelled by money pressures on individuals and companies, but also the insurance companies are investigating claims with greater scrutiny than before and are less tolerant of "mistakes".

Insurance Fraud

Insurance companies have an interest in alleging fraud against claimants. If they can establish that just £1 of an insurance claim was fraudulent, they do not have to pay any of the claim.

The insurance industry enjoys close relations with the police and there exists an "understanding" that the police will assist insurance investigations through arrests and interviews. There are increasing concerns that the insurance companies are alleging fraud in circumstances that are tenuous and unconvincing merely to avoid paying claims and not with any intention to secure a conviction.

Benefit Fraud

Local Authorities and the Department of Work and Pensions are prioritising the investigation and prosecution of so-called "benefit cheats" yet many of the investigators have only a sketchy understanding of the benefit system and even less experience of the criminal justice system.

We can assist those under suspicion of benefit fraud from the very early stages right through to trial. Our team includes lawyers experienced in the most complicated benefit fraud cases.

Pyramid Scheme Frauds

Pyramid schemes have existed for many years and in many different guises. The US fraudster Bernard Madoff is the most recent exponent to be convicted of this fraud that is also known as a "Ponzi Fraud". In essence, the scheme generates no new wealth and relies upon ever increasing numbers joining the scheme to pay returns to those that have already "invested".

The mathematical certainty is that eventually there are no new members available to join and the scheme collapses leaving those that have invested, but have not yet received a return, significantly out of pocket.

Since May 2008 it has been an offence in England and Wales to participate in, or promote, a pyramid scheme (The Consumer Protection Against Unfair Trading Regulations 2008). There are several ongoing investigations by the police and the Office of Fair Trading into schemes operating in London, Bristol and South Wales known variously as "Gift and Take", "Women Empowering Women" and "Key to a Fortune".

We have advised some of the members who have been arrested and interviewed concerning their role if the scheme and are currently examining the legal advice provided to the scheme that purported to provide a loophole to the existing law.

If you have been involved in a pyramid scheme and would like free initial advice, call us now on 07980 800512.

Missing Trader ("MTIC" or "Carousel") Fraud

We are a member of a panel of solicitors (of which there are only 2 in the southwest) that are authorised to represent defendants in the more complicated fraud trials.

If you need advice about serious fraud matters you should seek a solicitor on the VHCC panel. Even experienced criminal defence solicitors will struggle to adequately represent your interests due to the complexity of the offence and the legislation surrounding it.

You can link to our VHCC department here.