P ublic Sector Fraud

It is crucial to take legal advice as soon as possible if there is a possibility an investigation will be launched or allegations have been made concerning public sector fraud.

Public sector fraud and fraud against a local authority usually involves the obtaining of some form of benefit, funding, compensation, or other services such as Legal Aid or even housing, by providing falsified or inaccurate information in an application or in the details of a claim.

An allegation of fraud against a local authority may involve a criminal gang, a legitimate company or an individual. In all cases, it is vital to take legal advice from a specialist fraud solicitor at an early stage if allegations have been made or charges brought.

Individuals accused of fraud against a local authority may face allegations relating to:

• Bedroom Tax fraud (spare room subsidy fraud)
• Disabled Parking Badge (also known as blue badge) fraud
• Council Tax fraud
• Business grant fraud
• Housing Benefit fraud
• Housing fraud
• Legal Aid fraud
• Right to Buy fraud

Investigations into public sector frauds are ever expanding usually facilitated by access to the internet and technology.

Public sector frauds are serious fraud allegations. We represent, providing advice and assistance, in all types of public sector fraud allegations at any stage of an investigation and/or prosecution.

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

Essentially, the investigation and prosecution teams will be seeking for evidence in order to establish and prove the existence of a public sector fraud.

Quite often, fraud investigations can be complex and cross different jurisdictions.

Belgravia Solicitors can advise you and liaise with authorities which may be involved in a public sector investigation, including the following:

• The Police Service (including the City of London Police)
• The Local Authority Legal Department
• Trading Standards
• Department for Work & Pensions (DWP)
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• 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 public sector fraud 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 a public sector fraud, it is important to seek legal advice. Discussing your case with a specialist lawyer who understands a public sector fraud 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