Public Sector

The new team will stress test public sector fraud defences

The Cabinet Office announced the launch of a new specialist fraud squad, otherwise known as the Risk, Threat and Prevention Service, to help combat fraud in public services on 24 May, which will be led by the Public Sector Fraud Authority. The establishment of a new fraud squad is part of the government’s £1bn plan to reduce fraud against the public sector.

https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/government-launches-new-fraud-squad-to-combat-fraud-in-public-services

A former hospital manager has been jailed for 11 years for his part in a "sophisticated" fraud which cost the NHS more than £600,000.

https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2023-05-29/nhs-manager-jailed-for-600k-fraud-and-bribery-scam

Cabinet Office permanent secretary Alex Chisholm has told MPs a National Audit Office report suggesting that some officials are “reluctant” to pursue fraud and corruption cases because of reputational damage to their departments is at odds with his personal experience.

https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/chisholm-insists-officials-arent-reluctant-to-tackle-fraud-and-corruption

A businessman from Stanmore has been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to fraud by abusing the Bounce Back Loan scheme.

https://harrowonline.org/2023/05/17/man-from-stanmore-convicted-of-fraud/

Police investigating SNP finances are examining an Amazon shopping account used to buy items, it emerged on Sunday.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/snp-fraud-investigation-police-looking-into-amazon-shopping-account/ar-AA1bau2Z

Scottish Police reportedly called in 'Britain's FBI' to help on SNP investigations

Scottish cops asked 'Britain's FBI' to help with their probe into the missing SNP finances before arresting Nicola Sturgeon's husband.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/scottish-cops-asked-britains-fbi-to-help-with-probe-into-missing-snp-finances/ar-AA1aQ3lt

Government cash lost to fraud and error via Covid-19 business and jobs support schemes has been reduced by a third thanks to “hundreds of criminal investigations”, Rishi Sunak has claimed.

https://www.cityam.com/covid-cash-lost-to-fraud-down-by-third-because-were-going-after-everybody-sunak-claims/

WARRINGTON Borough Council's fraud team has closed hundreds of cases, resulting in saving the council more than £200,000.

https://uk.style.yahoo.com/fraud-team-warrington-borough-council-132347668.html

The Business Department is not expecting to recoup billions of taxpayers’ money lost to fraud and error in pandemic support.

https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2023/apr-2023/pac-slams-government-for-billions-lost-to-fraud

Police probing SNP fraud claims are hunting for phone SIM cards, the MoS can reveal.

It is the latest twist in the probe into £600,000 of possible 'missing' SNP funds. SIM cards hold a record of texts and calls made, and police believe they would help them build a picture in relation to the 'missing' funds.