Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Serious Fraud

Tuesday 28 April 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service prosecuted over 10,000 defendants for fraud or forgery.
  • The CPS has a specialist fraud division to handle complex and serious fraud cases.
  • The CPS is leading initiatives to address online fraud and scams during the coronavirus emergency.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question follows reports of low prosecution rates for serious fraud cases. The CPS's handling of these cases is under scrutiny.

Question

What recent progress the CPS has made on increasing prosecution rates for serious fraud. Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service prosecuted over 10,000 defendants where the principal offence was fraud or forgery. It also has a specialist fraud division which brings together expertise and skills to prosecute complex and serious fraud.

Answer from Suella Braverman

Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service prosecuted over 10,000 defendants where the principal offence was fraud or forgery. It also has a specialist fraud division which brings together expertise and skills to prosecute complex and serious fraud.

Answered
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Q2 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
Standards & Ethics
Context

A whistleblower, Ian Foxley, reported corrupt payments at GPT Special Project Management ten years ago. The issue has not been resolved.

Question

Will she now bring it to a resolution and ensure that my constituent and others in the same situation are properly compensated? My right hon. Friend will do a tremendous job, and she has an immediate opportunity to right a wrong. It is 10 years since my constituent, Ian Foxley, blew the whistle on corrupt payments at GPT Special Project Management.

Answer from Suella Braverman

I thank my hon. Friend for his extensive work on that case. He has been indefatigable in seeking a resolution for his constituent—of that there is no doubt. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the details of the case because the Serious Fraud Office is undertaking criminal investigations into the affairs of GPT and Saudi Arabia which have taken some time because of the significant complexity involved. However, I would like to reassure my hon. Friend because upon my appointment to this job that case was one of the first matters if not the first to cross my desk so it is a priority for me and I will not rest until we find an appropriate resolution.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Unable to comment on details due to ongoing investigations

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Q3 Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

There has been a surge in malicious emails offering fake coronavirus-related services, reported to the National Cyber Security Centre.

Question

How prepared is the CPS to deal with prosecuting online fraud and scams during the coronavirus emergency? Five thousand suspicious emails were reported to the National Cyber Security Centre just one day after the launch of its Cyber Aware campaign earlier this month. There has been a huge growth in malicious emails offering fake coronavirus-related services.

Answer from Suella Braverman

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise this point, and I recognise the increased risk posed by scammers and fraudsters at this time of crisis. Sadly, there are those who will seek to exploit the vulnerable at this time. We are leading several initiatives in this area such as working with the technology industry to shut down any vulnerabilities that fraudsters might exploit and to ensure that the public have the knowledge so they can spot scams and stand up to fraudsters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific preparation details provided, focused on initiatives in general

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Q4 David Evennett Con
Crime & Law Enforcement NHS
Context

There is concern about increased crime, particularly fraud against the elderly during the pandemic.

Question

How is the CPS tackling cases of covid-19-related fraud? Naturally, there is real concern about crime, particularly fraud against the elderly. The joint charging protocol prioritizes these offences for immediate charging decisions. There have been successful prosecutions already.

Answer from Suella Braverman

This is an important issue sadly criminals are looking to take advantage of the vulnerable during this pandemic it is shameful and disgusting but sadly it is a fact of life. We recognise the threat posed, and that is why the CPS and the police have published a joint charging protocol that makes it clear that covid-related fraud will be a priority for an immediate charging decision I am glad that as a result we have already seen some successful prosecutions of such offences.

Answered
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Q5 Felicity Buchan
Taxation Benefits & Welfare
Context

There is a concern about the potential for fraud in government support schemes during the pandemic.

Question

Has my right hon. and learned Friend had discussions with the Treasury on those matters? We all welcome the enormous packages of support that the Treasury has put together for businesses and individuals but clearly there is the prospect of fraud by people applying to some of those schemes.

Answer from Suella Braverman

As the Chancellor of the Exchequer made clear in his announcements, the unprecedented level of support for businesses and those in financial difficulty has sadly raised the risk of fraud on the Exchequer which is of course fraud on the taxpayer. There will be those who try to play the system make false claims and frankly to defraud and deceive. The Cabinet Office counter-fraud function is leading the work to minimise the risk, and the CPS has been fully engaged with this vital work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific discussions detailed, focused on general risk mitigation efforts

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