A network of corrupt company directors has been jailed for more than 70 years after they were caught planning an elaborate multi-million-pound tax fraud during clandestine meetings.

The company at the heart of the fraud, Winnington Networks Ltd (WNL), deliberately understated how much VAT was owed to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between 2011 and 2014.

https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/hm-revenue-customs-hmrc/pressreleases/directors-planned-ps20m-tax-fraud-at-secret-meetings-3411309

A man has been put behind bars after being involved in laundering over £5.3million in cash.

Gurmeet Handa, from Little Aston, has been jailed after a complex joint investigation led officers to uncovering a sophisticated international money laundering operation orchestrated by Handa.

https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/news/west-midlands/news/news/2025/october/jail-for-man-who-laundered-over-5million-in-cash/

What is romance fraud?

Romance fraud usually involves fraudsters creating fake online personas to gain someone’s trust and affection through the guise of a romantic relationship, with the ultimate goal of exploiting them for financial gain.

Romance fraudsters use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit. They work hard to make sure that when they ask for money, and require urgency or secrecy from the victim, it doesn’t set off alarm bells.

In addition to the financial loss and subsequent hardship, victims of romance fraud also suffer the loss of a partner and support system, and a future that they believed in. They also have to come to terms with having been manipulated and deceived in such a callous, calculated way. For almost a third of those targeted, the fraud spans more than a year – for some, many years. Due to the isolation tactics used by fraudsters, the victim’s relationships with family and friends are often damaged and they are left alone and vulnerable.

'Staying Safe from Romance Fraud' is a useful guide that highlights common tactics used in romance fraud, and offers advice on how to safeguard yourself.

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/romance-fraud

The newly launched Business Fraud Alliance offers free, practical resources for businesses of all sizes to help strengthen their resilience against fraud.

Fraud is the most common crime in the UK and poses a serious threat to all organisations. To help businesses strengthen their defences, the Fraud Advisory Panel (FAP), in partnership with Barclays, has launched the Business Fraud Alliance campaign.

The Alliance brings together businesses, professional bodies and advisers to share knowledge, raise awareness and provide practical tools to support those at the frontline of fraud prevention and detection.

The chair of the City of London Police Authority Board has warned that fraud is “damaging the foundations of our nation” and the UK must treat it with the same urgency as street crime.

Speaking at the Police Authority Board dinner on Wednesday, City AM can reveal that Tijs Broeke told senior police, business, and political leaders that “security and prosperity are inseparable”.

“The scale of the challenge is stark. In the past year alone, UK businesses faced more than 8.5m cyber incidents. That’s around 23 thousand every single day,” he said.

https://www.cityam.com/city-of-london-police-chair-fraud-is-damaging-the-foundations-of-our-nation/

HMRC has reportedly brought its first-ever corporate prosecution under the failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion offence, almost eight years after the legislation was introduced in the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

Bennett Verby Ltd, a Stockport-based accountancy firm, was reportedly charged with the failure to prevent offence in connection with an alleged R&D credits repayment fraud. We understand that six individuals, including one of the firm's former directors, were also charged with offences including cheating the public revenue and money laundering. All appeared in Manchester Crown Court on 7 August 2025 but did not enter pleas, and a provisional trial date has been set, with the trial due to start on 27 September 2027.

https://www.hoganlovells.com/en/publications/hmrc-brings-first-prosecution-under-failure-to-prevent-facilitation-of-tax-evasion-laws

An individual has been found guilty of fraud, following a prosecution by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Appearing at Southwark Crown Court, Daniel Pugh was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud, after setting up a Ponzi scheme that netted more than £1mn.

According to the regulator, Pugh took money from 238 investors through his fraudulent investment scheme “Imperial Investment Fund”.

Two leading criminologists from The University of Manchester are playing a key role in a national research project designed to tackle fraud in the NHS, which costs the UK taxpayer an estimated £1.3bn each year.

The initiative, known as Project SCAN (Strengthening Counter-Fraud Across the NHS in England), is led by Northumbria University and brings together experts from across the UK to improve understanding and responses to fraud within the health service.

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2156945-leading-criminologists-from-manchester-join-national-project-to-combat-nhs-fraud

Detectives from the Economic Crime Unit at Cheshire Police have charged a man from Telford with multiple counts of fraud.

Marc Cole-Jones, 52, of Church Grove, Donnington, Telford, has been charged with 22 counts of fraud by false representation.

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/news/cheshire/news/articles/2025/8/telford-man-charged-with-romance-fraud/

HS2 Ltd have reported one of their subcontractors to HMRC over alleged fraud involving pay for construction staff

The HS2 subcontractor fraud case will now be looked into by HMRC following HS2 Ltd’s own investigations into two of its contractors.

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/hr-skills-news/hs2-subcontractor-fraud-case-sent-to-hmrc/152337/