Fraud and Economic Crime Prosecution 2024-02-01
2024-02-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by the need to address recent developments in prosecuting economic crimes.
What recent steps has the Department taken to increase prosecution rates for fraud and economic crime. The Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office play a crucial role in bringing economic criminals to justice. I am concerned about recent steps to improve these outcomes.
The Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office play a crucial role in bringing economic criminals to justice. Indeed, this month the SFO charged two company directors with fraud in relation to a car lease scheme into which hundreds of British savers paid about £88 million.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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The Horizon Post Office scandal has led to wrongful prosecutions, while significant amounts of money have been stolen during the pandemic through fraud.
Hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted and convicted for fraud. Meanwhile, estimates suggest that £16 billion was lost due to covid-19 fraud, yet little progress has been made in recovering this amount. Why did innocent individuals suffer while guilty parties avoided prosecution?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right about the appalling miscarriage of justice; I agree entirely with everything she said about Horizon and the Post Office. As she knows, steps are being taken to address that and work is ongoing. On covid crime, the Attorney General and I meet regularly with the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service to press for action on whatever is the pressing issue of the day. The CPS has charged a number of individuals in relation to precisely the fraud activities she refers to.
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Assessment & feedback
specific actions taken against those responsible for pandemic-related fraud were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Home Affairs Committee is examining the issue of fraud, including romance scams and terrorism financing.
The Home Affairs Committee has identified a major problem with various types of fraud. What discussions have been had on learning from nations that prosecute fraud more effectively?
My hon. Friend raises an excellent point. I commend him for his work on the Home Affairs Committee and look forward to the results of that work, which we will consider carefully. The Attorney General and I meet regularly with the SFO and the CPS to assess best practice and to see where lessons may be learned, both internally and from abroad.
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Assessment & feedback
specific examples of international best practices were not provided
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Law enforcement agencies have confiscated £568 million from criminals, but only a small percentage is reinvested into their work.
In the past five years, law enforcement agencies have confiscated £568 million. However, they keep less than 1% to support their operations against economic crime. Does the government plan to adopt Labour's invest-to-save model?
I commend the work of the enforcement agencies, which have rightly cracked down on fraudulent activity. The Government tirelessly pursue criminals to recoup money and prevent them from benefiting from their gains. Among positive outcomes has been £105 million being returned to victims.
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Assessment & feedback
specific plans for reinvesting seized assets into law enforcement were not outlined
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Fraud has cost the public over £21 billion since the pandemic, yet prosecution rates have dropped by 50% since 2010.
Since the pandemic, fraud has cost more than £21 billion. Prosecution for fraud and money laundering has decreased by 50%. Is it time to consider an economic crime fighting fund to reinvest seized assets?
The hon. Lady is right that this is matter of huge public concern and understandably so. The Government worked very hard during the pandemic to ensure support was provided but clearly where people took advantage, it must be pursued. We are looking at the fraud strategy and economic crime plan part 2.
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Assessment & feedback
specific actions beyond reviewing strategies were not committed to
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Fraudsters exploit older and vulnerable people through various means such as online, phone or doorstep scams.
Fraudsters prey on the elderly and vulnerable using different methods. Will the government ensure that these criminals face justice?
Yes, I can. My hon. Friend is right to draw attention as people being taken advantage of happens to members of society but particularly elderly and vulnerable. Work continues on sector charters, which have been successful in bringing positive outcomes.
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Assessment & feedback
specific actions beyond existing initiatives were not committed to
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The former anti-fraud Minister resigned due to poor oversight of covid-related business loans.
Two years since Lord Agnew resigned over inadequate oversight of fraud in covid-related business loan schemes, how much has been recovered and what is being done now?
The hon. Gentleman is right to draw attention as public expect money advanced in good faith during the pandemic not be a victim of fraudulent activity. Intelligence sharing goes on between SFO and CPS, which has already charged individuals.
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Assessment & feedback
specific figures on recovered funds were not provided
Response accuracy