Fraud Newsletter 51 – January 2021

CASES

Professional embarrassment requiring withdrawal requires a truly material change of instructions, which should be recorded and preferably signed and dated by D: Daniels [2021] EWCA Crim. 44

Conspiracy “together and/or with persons unknown” permits finding one D guilty even if no co-Ds are convicted: Gates [2021] EWCA Crim 66.

Binoku [2021] EWCA Crim 48 re judicial interventions: if made by gestures or facial expressions, counsel should ask jury to retire and raise the matter.

Guidelines on procedure to be adopted when allowing an appeal on one ground (unopposed) but other grounds outstanding: Hamilton v Post Office [2021] EWCA Crim 2.1

SENTENCING AND CONFISCATION

Review of totality principles (5 judge court): question of substance not form: Bailey [2020] EWCA Crim 1719.

BILLS, STATUTES & STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS

European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020: Part 1 deals with convictions, mutual assistance, requests for information, criminal records etc.

Financial Services Bill 2019-21: second reading in Lords: includes market abuse reforms: current Explanatory Notes

Forensic Science Regulator Bill 2019-21: at Report

stage: Explanatory Notes

Agreement between UK and the Swiss on Police Cooperation: CP 369: 20 Jan 21 (re serious crime: includes the SFO): Explanatory Memorandum: 14 Jan 21.

CONSULTATIONS, GUIDANCE, CIRCULARS AND REPORTS

Changes to bodies granted investigatory and other powers under POCA: Home Office Consultation to extend POCA powers to The Service Police, Maritime and Coastguard Agency; ICO; Department for the Economy; London Fire Brigade: 28 Jan 21. Consultation ends 19 Mar.

Forensic Science Regulator Annual Report 2020: 13 Jan 21. Urgent need for fundamental change.

Unexplained Wealth Orders: HoC Briefing Paper No

CBP 9098: 8 Jan 21

The implications of the end of the Brexit transition period on the JMLSG Guidance: effect of Brexit on MLR obligations on regulated firm: JMLSG note: 14 Jan 21.

Mutual  Legal  Assistance  (MLA)  Requests: Home

Office: updated 14 Jan 21.

European  Investigation  Orders  (EIOs)  Requests:

Home Office: updated 14 Jan 21.

Extradition:  processes  and  review:  Home  Office:

updated 14 Jan 21.

Anti-money laundering guidance for the legal sector:

Law Society: 20 Jan 21.

White Collar Crime and Investigations SFO

Enforcement Report: Mischon de Reya: 26 Jan 21

What can we expect from the SFO in 2021? 2020 SFO Enforcement Round-Up: Individuals 2020 SFO Enforcement Round-Up: Corporates

Corruptions Perceptions Index 2020:  Transparency Int: 28 Jan 21.

NEWS

FCA:

MoU with ESMA & EU regulators re supervisory cooperation, enforcement and information exchange: 4 Dec 21.

Financial crime systems and control during coronavirus situation: Updated 8 Jan 21.

Insider dealer Walid Choucair ordered to pay £3.9m in confiscation: 22 Jan 21.

Warning over ‘clone firm’ investment scams: £78m stolen and reports increase by 29% in April 20: 27 Jan 21.

NCA:

NCA recover luxury car & apartment from convicted murder linked to UWO: 1 Jan 21

Arrests in £6m bounce back loan scam: 23 Jan 21. International takedown of notorious malware Emotet: 27 Jan 21. For further details see ‘World’s most  dangerous  malware’  Emotet  disrupted:

Cybernews: 27 Jan 21

SARS Reporter Booklet : Jan 2021

SFO:

British American Tobacco (BAT) investigation closes: evidential test not met: 15 Jan 21.

Former senior Petrofac executive pleads guilty to bribery offences: Sentence listed for 14 Feb. The SFO investigation into Petrofac etc. continues: 14 Jan 21.

HOME:

HMRC issues record £23.8m fine for ML breaches against MT Global: HMRC 7 Jan 21.

How to investigate a firm with 60m documents:

BBC News: 19 Jan 21 re AI use in Airbus