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Financial crime, white collar crime and money laundering allegations can severely affect individuals and businesses. These cases often involve complex investigations by regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies particularly the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the National Crime Agency (NCA). At Lex Vindico Group, our fraud defence lawyers have significant and years of experience in providing robust and proactive defence strategies and tailored advice to get individuals, and your companies through difficult situations, including investigations into financial crime.
Recently, there have been significant investigations by financial institutions and governmental departments into money laundering issues and financial crime. Investigative authorities have been granted an excess in powers to dig deeper into possible financial offences. Unlike other offences, when an individual or company is convicted of a criminal or civil offence relating to fraud and financial crime, as well as the governments sentence guidelines applying as usual, i.e. offences which attract custodial sentences, such offenders are generally ordered to pay back the level of benefit, and some. Failure to pay back such compensation orders could result in an addition of up to fourteen years imprisonment, in default, but is generally based on the amount of compensation due to be paid back. Therefore, the CPS, SFO and NCA have increased budgets in detecting and preventing fraud, as they have a way of recuperating funds spent on prosecution. Our in depth knowledge could the make the world of difference to your case, and to your future. Our expertise can help restore peace and order into your life.
Whether you are under investigation, or feel that an investigation may be pending against you, or your company, or, whether you are being prosecuted at Court; Lex Vindico Group focus on protecting you and getting the best possible outcome through proactive representation. Our financial crime team has dealt with many issues including high stakes cases, where companies, directorships and imprisonment, hang in the balance. The vast experience that our financial crime lawyers offer, leave nothing to chance.
If instructed early on, we work proactively to avoid criminal investigations, and to prevent any form of arrest or raids/searches. If we are instructed at the stage of 'interview under caution' at a police station or by a regulated sector such as the SFO; our prerogative is to avoid criminal charges by working towards submitting pre charge representations.
In the event that you have been charged following an investigation, we would provide you with specialist barristers who form part of our excellent firm and representation. Whilst we prepare a robust defence for Court, we would always challenge the evidence, at every stage, to fight for a dismissal, saving you the risks of a crown court trial. Our extensive experience can help in having your voice heard, and listened to, without having to fight for your freedom and future in Court. We can potentially save you the stress, the anxiety, the exorbitant costs of funding a trial.
Is it a good commercial decision to gamble with your freedom at Court, when proactive lawyers can fight in having your case dismissed without court?
Money laundering is the act of disguising the source of illegally obtained funds to make them look legitimate. Financial crime is a broad term that includes fraud, bribery, insider dealing, and tax evasion. These activities not only undermine the financial system, but can also lead to severe penalties for those involved, including hefty fines, imprisonment, and reputational damage. The complexity and changing nature of money laundering legislation and money laundering regulation mean businesses have strict compliance obligations and must do thorough due diligence to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Being charged with a money laundering offence is serious and requires specialist legal support for individuals and businesses under investigation. These offences are covered by legislation, including the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) and Bribery Act 2010. Investigations are usually led by agencies such as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and His Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as well as the NCA. Defending these charges requires thorough preparation and knowledge of financial regulations. Our money laundering solicitors are usually aided by independent financial investigators which markets authority as they work closely with the CPS in preparing and bring prosecutions.
With years of experience handling high-risk financial crime cases, our specialist barristers have a trusted reputation in the field. Our specialist solicitors, are well-versed in, and regularly instructed in criminal law, money laundering regulations, and related offences. They represent individuals and corporate clients under investigation or prosecution. Our bespoke and tailored legal services mean that we create an action plan, specific to your set of circumstances, often to prove legitimate sources of funds in Proceeds of Crime cases.
We provide advice, and represent clients who have allegedly committed criminal offences relating to any type of fraud, or financial crime. We specialise in early defence engagement whereby our law firm engages with the investigating authority early on, to workout the strengths and weaknesses of the case, before we formally submit pre-charge representations on your behalf, in proving a lack of evidence, and a lack of public interest, to prosecute. Our intention behind such proactive strategies is to prevent criminal charges, and enable our client's to go back to the norms of their daily comforts without worrying about a criminal investigation hanging over their heads, threatening their liberty and future.
At Lex Vindico Group, we understand the stress and uncertainty associated with financial crime allegations, especially when we are dealing with account freezing orders and frozen funds in bank accounts which can inhibit a company's ability to exist and trade. That's why we put your interests first. Our team has significant experience and successfully defended clients in fraud, insider dealing, bribery, and other financial misconduct cases, including MTIC fraud, always focusing on achieving the best outcome and protecting our client's rights. If you feel that an investigation may be pending against you, or your company, or, you have been informed that you are under investigation, you can act now.
Proactive representation can:
As experts in the field of fraud and financial crime defence, we provide legal representation and training to help clients navigate the complex regulatory landscape, including money laundering regulations, to defend themselves against serious allegations, at every stage.
Unlike traditional, legal aid law firms, we do not wait until your matter gets to Court before we start defending you. We frontload our defence, at the pre charge phase, and breakdown the allegations against you, exposing it's weaknesses before public funds are invested into the prosecution - making it stronger. Our prerogative is to be proactive and timing whilst under investigation, is everything.
The first step in dealing with allegations of financial crime is to review the evidence against you, in line with your version of events. Before advising our clients, our experts will establish whether a case can be made out against you on the evidence, given that the burden of proof is always upon the prosecuting authority to prove the case.
In pre charge matters, the prosecuting authority must prove guilt, on each allegation, on the balance of probabilities. The prosecuting authority must apply the Full Code Test contained within the Code for Crown Prosecutors to establish whether there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of a conviction and secondly, whether a prosecution is within the public interest. We work on this premise, proving against each point of the test, to protect you against criminal and civil charges.
In post charge matters, the prosecuting authority must prove on each charge, that the individual or company that is faced with the charges, are guilty, beyond any reasonable doubt. Our specialist solicitors will review the prosecution’s case and identify procedural irregularities and potential defences, giving you clarity on your situation and options. Throughout the process, our lawyers will establish ways in seeking a dismissal of the case. This is a difficult task that requires precision and experience, which Lex Vindico Group can offer, with its pool of contacts including, but not limited to, analytical fraud experts.
Once we have considered the evidence, the likelihood is that we would request further disclosure and suggest reasonable lines of enquiry. This would help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of the case against you before formally putting together actionable steps to protect your rights and interests.
Investigations involve interviews under caution, document requests, account freezing orders and/or a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR). We often represent clients who have had a suspicious activity report made to the NCA, by their bank, or a government/environment agency.
Our solicitors will guide you through these stages to ensure your responses are managed to avoid self-incrimination, and adverse inferences from being drawn against you in the future.
We will also liaise with law enforcement agencies such as the SFO, FCA, and the National Crime Agency to protect your interests. Our lawyers will take over all communications to protect your interests.
If you are going to be interviewed under caution for any regulatory issues, fraud or financial crime, then our lawyers can obtain disclosure from the prosecuting authority in advance, and consult with you in private, ahead of the interview under caution. This will give you the confidence and understanding of dealing with the interview, whilst completely informed of your options, outside the confined pressures of the interview room.
Our lawyers also specialise in pre charge representations, and therefore would offer you ways of resolution in your interview under caution, to maximise the chances of your case's discontinuance, to avoid charges. The ramifications of being at Court far extend from simple reputational damage. Our proactive solutions can save your future.
We have experience in complex money laundering investigations, including those with an international element.
When the case gets to court, robust representation is key. Our team will develop a defence strategy, gather evidence and challenge the prosecution’s case. Whether your case is in the Magistrates or Crown Court, we will be with you every step of the way to get the best outcome. As well as preparing you for trial, we will look for every route to have your case dismissed, without the need for a trial. We do so, by engaging leading barristers in financial crime. This gives you the best chance, by taking a no-door unopened approach.
Fraud, financial crime and money laundering regulations are difficult offences to navigate and require experts who understand the nuances of how such matters are prosecuted by specialist prosecutors. At Lex Vindico Group, we level the playing field by providing you with a team who understands the prosecuting authorities tactics against you. This keeps our clients and their companies, a step ahead and is a service that simply cannot be provided by traditional law firms, due to the lack of resource and time. Your future requires special care and attention.
In addition to criminal proceedings, financial crime cases may involve civil recovery actions or restraint orders. These allow authorities to freeze assets and bank accounts, believed to be linked to criminal activity and proceeds of crime. Our solicitors will help you challenge these orders and prove the lawful source of your funds. In businesses, an account freezing order can prevent trade which could suffocate the life of the business, by restricting trade. Whether you face a freezing order, a forfeiture order, or an unexplained wealth order, our expert fraud specialists can assist.
If an order is in place, that you have already tried to protect against in the Court but were unsuccessful, then we can advise you on a judicial review to challenge the authority of that ruling, before that ruling is actioned.
Internal investigations can identify potential compliance issues for businesses before they become regulatory breaches. Lex Vindico Group's money laundering solicitors can advise corporate clients on anti-money laundering and financial regulations, which could potentially prevent arrests, prevent dawn raids and search warrants from being executed at your place of work. We provide advice and representation for individuals, directors, executives, and corporations.
If you feel that an investigation may be pending against you, or your company, then we can prevent or manage that crisis, with proactive representation.
Our firm regularly provides proactive representation for the following groups of offences:-
Money laundering is a complex and serious offence, often involving international elements. At Lex Vindico Group, we have the experience and expertise to defend clients during criminal investigations for such allegations. We review the evidence thoroughly and present a strong legal case, providing businesses and high-net-worth individuals with the support they need to navigate these challenging situations.
Often times, money laundering offences will be an add on offence, in matters where you have allegedly benefitted from proceeds of criminal property. For example, if you have lended money and charged interests, akin to a loan shark, without having a regulatory licence in offering consumer credit, then you would be guilty of an offence of 'Carrying on a Regulated Activity Without Authorisation. Any monies that you had received as interest, would automatically fall to be proceeds of crime, hence the 'money laundering' offences, would be piled onto the unlicenced moneylending offence under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).
Fraud covers a wide range of activities, from fraud by false representation to, abuse of position, to failure to disclose. The SFO often handles serious fraud cases, including tax evasion, market manipulation and corporate fraud. Our expert solicitors will guide you through these complex allegations proactively, at every stage of the process.
The Bribery Act 2010 makes offering, receiving, or facilitating bribes an offence. Corporations can also be liable for failing to prevent bribery. Lex Vindico Group advises individuals and corporations on anti-corruption regulations and defends against related charges and allegations.
Trading on confidential, non-public information which provides you financial benefit, is insider trading and insider dealing; a serious offence regulated by the FCA. The law makes it an offence for a person who has provided the insider information, and the individual who then acts upon that insider information with the unfair advantage.
We help clients accused of market abuse by challenging the evidence and presenting a strong defence, early on. These cases often have an international element and the investigative phase can be a harrowing and restrictive time for individuals and companies. Lex Vindico Group offers high profile white collar defence. Our lawyers have successfully mounted defences against insider dealing on the premise of no intent to use such information, as the financial move, whether buying or selling, was pre-planned and completely unrelated to the inside information they possessed.
Intentionally evading taxes can lead to criminal charges and heavy penalties, and in some cases, imprisonment. Lex Vindico Group will support you in HMRC investigations to get a fair defence and have your voice heard, amid the stressful uncertainty. We provide HMRC tax investigation defence and bring independent specialists to the table, who have previously worked in HMRC's offices and are familiar with their strategies.
Some offences relating to tax contain an international element, where HMRC and other authorities suggests that tax evasion is an on international scale.
A strong defence requires reviewing evidence, including financial records, emails, communication records, bank statements, witness statements. Our solicitors will find and challenge any inaccuracies, identify procedural breaches and build a case to dispute the prosecution’s version of events. This starts with a thorough investigation on the defence angle.
If you or your company were oblivious that the funds or assets were in anyway connected to criminal activity or criminal proceeds, then you may have a defence in law. The prosecuting authority require to prove the 'mental element', which is an intention to commit fraud/be dishonest. Provided that you had conducted complete due diligence, and can account for each transaction forensically, the prosecution would struggle in proving intention or knowledge, which are required elements in establishing money laundering or financial crimes.
For those who had acted in good faith, in complete belief that their actions were lawful, cannot be seen to be dishonest. Dishonesty is a key ingredient and the nub of the Fraud Act 2006. In white collar crimes and fraud, the prosecution often look for financial gain to oneself, or a loss to another.
Showing that the funds in question come from legitimate activity can significantly undermine money laundering allegations. Forensic accounting and expert witness evidence are key in these cases. We often find that the under resourced government entity which are prosecuting these complex fraud cases eventually understand the 'questionable activity' after it has been explained and simplified to them. The prosecuting authority usually suspect crime after a microscopic, one-sided investigation, without complete context. By the time you are being questioned, they already have a narrative in their mind. We understand the complexities of business and corporate decisions and help you in having your voice heard, and reshape any existing narrative.
Improper conduct by the investigators, such as failure to obtain proper warrants, illegal arrests, or mishandling of evidence, can lead to charges and cases being dropped. Lex Vindico Group’s solicitors will review the investigation process with a fine-tooth comb to identify and highlight these errors.
Where a conviction is likely, negotiating a reduction in sentence or a plea agreement via a written agreed basis, can significantly reduce the consequences. Our lawyers will get a positive outcome for you while protecting your long-term interests.
Sentencing depends on the seriousness of the offence and mitigating factors. To achieve the best outcome, we advise on post-conviction options, including appeals or sentence reductions.
Our lawyers have decades of experience in handling even the most complex financial crime cases. Knowledge of the key legislation, including the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, is essential to provide the best representation.
Every case is different and requires bespoke strategies and understanding of the client’s needs. Lex Vindico Group will provide solutions for the best outcomes for individuals and businesses, by introducing individuals' unique sets of skills to assist the case from various angles i.e. fraud prosecution barristers, former police detectives, former HMRC fraud specialists.
Our results show that we can obtain dismissals, reduced sentences, and great negotiated settlements. Client satisfaction is at the core of our business.
Financial crime allegations need urgent legal attention. Get in touch with Lex Vindico Group today for a confidential call and start protecting your rights, your freedom and reputation.
If you are accused of any crime, or feel that you may be in the future, then contact our fraud defence solicitors today for a free consultation.
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