Fraud Newsletter
January 2026
Compiled by Faras Baloch, Andrew Herd, Francesca Kirby. & Katie Bacon
Cases
Lakeman [2026] EWCA Crim 4: Gold pieces in Runescape video game fall within definition of property in s.4 Theft Act 1968.
Guralp v SFO [2026] EWHC 37 (Admin): Judicial decisions re DPAs do not relate to “trial on indictment”; Div. Ct had jurisdiction. SFO had right to enforce DPA after specified expiry date. Full analysis by Jonathan Fisher KC here.
Sentencing & Confiscation
Nothing of note.
Bills, Statutes & SIs
Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Commencement No. 7) Regulations 2026 (removes option for companies to keep member information on central register): 23 Jan 26
Sentencing Act 2026 (new presumptions for suspended sentences & introduces income reduction orders): 22 Jan 26
Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2026 (covering re-trial indictments, written witness statements, enforcement of fines & behaviour orders): 22 Jan 26
Guidance, Reports & Consultations
Police reform at a glance: centralisation and a ‘British FBI’? RUSI: 30 Jan 26
What will police reform mean for the fight against dirty money and economic crime? Spotlight: 28 Jan 26
Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences: second report submitted HO: 26 Jan 26
European Commission call for evidence on fighting online fraud action plan EC: 23 Jan 26
Trial and error?: The impact of restricting jury trials on court demand IFG: 21 January 26
Companies House updates ECCTA transition plan CH: 19 Jan 26
Responding to Russian Sabotage Financing RUSI: 14 Jan 26
Response to AMLAR strategy initial questionnaire Spotlight: 9 Jan 26
Submission to HM Treasury consultation on AML supervision reform Spotlight: 6 Jan 26
News
Trafigura wins $600 million nickel fraud lawsuit against businessman Gupta Reuters: 30 Jan 26
CCRC refers five city traders’ convictions following Supreme Court decision CCRC: 29 Jan 26
Alison-Madueke trial is “vital sign” of UK’s role in the global fight against corruption Spotlight: 27 Jan 26
Home Office to launch ‘British FBI’ to deal with serious crime UK-wide Guard: 24 Jan 26
High Court splits ex-postmaster Castleton’s fraud claim LSG: 24 Jan 26
How crypto criminals stole $700 million from people - often using age-old tricks BBC: 19 Jan 26
Greensill-linked firm ‘failed to act in good faith’ by lending £250m more than agreed, court hears Guard: 15 Jan 26
UK Authorities Raid a Housing Company in Multi-Million-Pound Fraud Probe OCCRP: 14 Jan 26
Jury curbs could apply to cases awaiting trial, minister tells MPs LSG: 13 Jan 26
Law firms could face AML double jeopardy, tribunal warns LSG: 6 Jan 26
Man ordered to pay back £4.1m made from stolen cash: BBC: 30 Dec 25
SFO
Ex-LCF CEO and wife admit to multiple breaches of court order SFO: 29 Jan 26
MPs ask Serious Fraud Office to investigate UK home insulation sector Guard: 23 Jan 26
Thales, Glencore prosecutors set for SFO exit GIR [paywall]: 20 Jan 26
SFO charges two in Safe Hands Plans investigation SFO: 22 Jan 26
SFO secures three convictions for £70 million investment fraud SFO: 16 Jan 26
SFO Director announces retirement SFO: 15 Jan 26
SFO announces investigation in social housing sector SFO: 14 Jan 26
SFO returns £400,000 to victims of global email fraud SFO: 8 Jan 26
CPS
Fraudster used financial payments to help scam over £300,000 from the NHS has been sentenced CPS: 30 Jan 26
Professional money launderer is ordered to payback over £5 million after a large-scale investment fraud CPS: 22 Jan 26
Former NHS manager jailed for £123,000 fraud CPS: 16 Jan 26
FCA
FCA partners with OFSI to clamp down on the abuse of cryptoassets: OFSI: 28 Jan 26
FCA fines oil rig consultant £309,843 for insider dealing FCA: 16 Jan 26
FCA obtains £265,523.96 confiscation order against Collateral fraudster Andrew Currie FCA: 9 Jan 26
FCA fines former finance directors of Carillion plc (in liquidation) FCA: 7 Jan 26
FCA ‘closes 100 investigations’ without taking further action FS Tech: 2 Jan 26
NCA
NCA and NatWest launch campaign to protect against Invoice Fraud in business NCA: 29 Jan 26
Insolvency Service
Printing firm boss sentenced after fraudulently obtaining second Covid loan IS: 28 Jan 26
Yorkshire waster operator sentenced after acting as director of four companies while bankrupt IS: 22 Jan 26
Convicted Covid fraudster who ran mobile phone shops ordered to repay almost £200,000 IS: 19 Jan 26
Rogue builder jailed after obtaining more than £400,000 in credit from five victims while bankrupt IS: 16 Jan 26
Europe
‘A very Italian problem’: inside the fight against the mafia and corruption at the Winter Olympics Guard: 30 Jan 26
Dutch prosecutors seek €525,000 fines in Sint Maarten bridge bribery case NL Times: 19 Jan 26
Ukraine’s former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko accused of bribery: Report AL Jazeera: 14 Jan 26
US
President establishes new Department of Justice Division for National Fraud Enforcement WH: 8 Jan 2026
Beyond
$1000 fine for hiding $45 million in bribes: ‘Embarrassing’ end to landmark corruption case Former Leighton Exec David Savage: Sydney Morning Herald [paywall]: 30 Jan 26
China Executes 11 in Myanmar-Linked Telecom Fraud Gang OCCRP: 29 Jan 26
South Korea’s ‘Marie Antoinette’ former first lady is jailed for taking bribes due to her ‘thirst for luxury’ Mail: 29 Jan 26
Malaysia’s construction giant IJM rocked by probe into alleged RM2.5 billion money laundering Business Times: 19 Jan 26