Assisting a client to establish a fraud and a referral to the Serious Fraud (Names Withheld) – Forensic Experts

 

Our client is a publicly listed company which had significant concerns about the conduct of two of its employees, one of whom was based in an offshore jurisdiction. Our client wanted to understand exactly what had occurred in certain business transactions so that it could appropriately discharge its responsibilities both as an employer and a good corporate citizen. That latter responsibility included the potential for referral to the Serious Fraud Office or the Police.

 

We needed to identify any dishonest or corrupt behaviour and determine if it extended beyond matters already revealed to the client. The client needed to expeditiously pursue an approach where the potential for risk (i.e. employee, business & financial and reputational) was front of mind. We needed to combine our forensic approach with the client’s knowledge of its systems and work-place practices. 

 

Our assessment of the available material included identifying the relevant witnesses and then conducting one on one interviews with those witnesses. It also required an an explanation for the board on the core criteria that would need to be present in order for the SFO to take an interest. Our experience of how the SFO considers matters and the level and quantum of evidence necessary for a SFO investigation to be undertaken was a pivotal factor.

 

At the conclusion of our work we presented a full report to our client and recommended a referral to the SFO. The client agreed and asked that we be involved in such referral. After meeting the SFO it determined to open an investigation, which resulted in charges being laid and a conviction established.

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