Expert Fraud Lawyers for Individuals and Businesses

What is fraud?

Fraud covers a multitude of offences, concerning allegations of dishonesty, which often involve the following aspects:

• Restraint Orders: These are designed to freeze assets, to preserve them for any ultimate confiscation proceedings. If you’ve been served with or are affected by a restraint order, our fraud solicitors can provide immediate, specialist advice to help you navigate this critical step. 
• Large volumes of paperwork: Fraud cases frequently involve millions of documents. Our firm has extensive experience in managing such vast amounts of evidence, employing finely tuned document handling procedures and a dedicated team of fraud lawyers to meticulously analyse every detail. 
• Raids: Often conducted by the Police, raids can occur at multiple sites, especially when allegations of misconduct involve a number of people. We are fully resourced to attend multiple raids nationwide, providing immediate legal support and representation.
• Forensic Accountants: Defending allegations of fraud often involves a detailed analysis of accounting records. We work with the top forensic accountants who are often able to find holes in the analysis conducted by the prosecution, strengthening your defence.

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What should you do if you are accused of fraud?

If you’re being investigated or have been accused of fraud, your first step must be to seek immediate legal advice. Do not speak to the police, HMRC, SFO, or any other authority without a specialist fraud solicitor present. Even well-meaning explanations can be used against you. It’s also vital to preserve relevant documents and avoid discussing the matter with anyone except your legal team. 

The earlier we’re involved, the greater your chance of challenging false allegations, influencing the investigation, and protecting your reputation from lasting damage.

Why choose Richard Nelson LLP for fraud defence?

Our fraud defence services come with strong recommendations, consistently featured in the most recent Legal 500 listings. Here’s what they say about our fraud service:

• ‘With two partners based in Cardiff and also able to tap into the resources of practitioners spread across a wide network of offices, including London and Nottingham, Richard Nelson LLP is well-positioned to handle a wide range of fraud defence work and financial crime, irrespective of geography’ – Legal 500.
• ‘Excellent’ boutique firm Richard Nelson LLP is highly regarded for its strength in fraud and financial crime’ – East Midlands Fraud
• ‘Highly professional and diligent’ – London Fraud
• ‘Excellent, professional and thorough’ – North West Fraud
• ‘The ‘heavyweight fraud practice’ at Richard Nelson LLP is a ‘natural choice for money laundering, tax fraud and corporate tax work’– Wales Fraud
• ‘Highly regarded for handling cases involving complex issues relating to money laundering and the proceeds of crime.’ – North West Fraud‘
• ‘“Very strong from top to bottom,” Richard Nelson LLP “specialises in complex fraud” and is “steeped in experience.” Covering a broad spectrum of matters, including high-profile financial crime, and aided by a strong network that includes offices in London and Birmingham, the Cardiff-based practice is well-equipped to handle a wide range of complex cases and “leaves no strong unturned in its attempts to achieve the best possible results for its clients.”’ – Wales Fraud

Our reputation as reliable lawyers for fraud means you can trust us to handle your case with the utmost care and expertise.

Our expertise with serious fraud investigations & prosecutions

We defend individuals and businesses under investigation or prosecution by major agencies, including:

• The Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
• The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• City of London Police
• The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
• Trading Standards
• The Insolvency Service 
• The National Crime Agency (NCA)

Our serious fraud solicitors handle cases ranging from complex multi-million-pound frauds to smaller, high-stakes matters. Allegations we regularly defend include:

• Conspiracy to defraud
• Money laundering
• Bribery & corruption
• Tax fraud (including VAT, MTIC, and Cheating the Revenue)
• Investment and mortgage fraud
• Company director offences
• POCA & confiscation proceedings

We also act in cases involving benefit fraud, false accounting, identity fraud, and FCA/SFO compulsion notices.