M oney Laundering

It is crucial to take legal advice as soon as possible if there is a possibility an investigation will be launched or allegations of Money Laundering have been made.

Law enforcement authorities around the world are taking an increasingly hardline approach to money laundering.

Money laundering investigations are extremely thoroughly investigated and can cause immense disruption to a business, and individuals, who are the subject of those investigations. These investigations may cause irreparable damage to reputations.

That is why it is important that corporates, banks, senior business figures, professionals and high net worth individuals (HNWIs) seek immediate legal advice if they believe a money laundering investigation is about to begin.

Money laundering is an area that has seen increasing obligations placed on those in business. The UK’s anti-money laundering regime is among the toughest in the world, with unexplained wealth orders just the latest indicator of this.

Financial institutions and financial services providers who are covered by the UK’s Money Laundering Regulations – a group referred to as the regulated sector – are under a duty to send a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) to the National Crime Agency if they suspect money laundering.

Legal obligations placed on corporates, business, and individuals in business and finance cannot be ignored. These have to be met – and any allegations of failing to meet them have to be responded to in the right way.

There may be situations where assets are frozen as part of a laundering investigation.

Quite often, money laundering investigations can be complex and cross different jurisdictions. There may be instances whereby we are able to negotiate with agencies, in the UK, Europe and further abroad, before a money laundering investigation gets underway, by way of example this may entail a voluntary disclosure to avoid an investigation.

There may be situations which arise where companies unwittingly become involved in money laundering. By way of example, a company may be the last one in a chain and may receive money that it is unaware has been gained through illegal activity – this could be from bribery or corruption – and then this has moved through several countries or a complex series of transactions. In every situation, every stage, requires a careful legal analysis and response.

Belgravia Solicitors can advise you and liaise with agencies which may be involved in a money laundering investigation, including the following:

• The Police Service (including City of London Police)
• Economic / Cyber Crime Units
• Financial Investigation and Serious Crime Units of the Police Service
• Trading Standards
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
• National Crime Agency (NCA)
• Serious Fraud Office (SFO)

At Belgravia Solicitors we robustly challenge the evidence presented, where necessary challenging the procedures undertaken to obtain the evidence, challenge the admissibility of the evidence and ensure the evidence, a money laundering investigation case is built upon, is not misinterpreted and fight your corner to give you the best chance of achieving the result you want from your case.

We will always ensure that the evidence is properly considered and will instruct appropriate experts on your behalf when evidence needs to be obtained, challenged, further examined, or excluded.

If you, your business / company, a family member / relative, or a friend are accused of money laundering, it is important to seek legal advice. Discussing your case with a specialist lawyer who understands money laundering at an early stage is essential to help understand what can be done to prepare a proper defence. We can be contacted on 03330 16 96 16 or on email: mail@belgraviasolicitors.co.uk