header-logo header-logo

COVID-19 & fraud— a risk assessment

07 May 2020 / Jonathan Fisher KC
Issue: 7885 / Categories: Features , Covid-19 , Fraud
printer mail-detail
20299
Jonathan Fisher QC reports on responding to new fraud risks in the COVID-19 era

In brief

  • COVID-19 scams: benefitting from the panic and uncertainty in the global health crisis.
  • COVID-19 investment frauds: promises of high returns and ethical importance.
  • COVID-19 revenue frauds: the need for thorough government checks on business.
  • Desperation frauds: breeding a different kind of criminal activity born out of opportunism and desperation.
  • Investment frauds: banks withdrawing support from struggling companies.

The COVID-19 pandemic will have lasting consequences for the fraud landscape, which should be understood from several perspectives. In regulatory terms, it is important to appreciate the new forms of fraud to keep abreast of threats to the financial system. From a criminal law perspective, the possibility of money laundering always hovers. Considering civil law exposure, there are potential claims and possible constructive trust liability which, although difficult to establish, is a significant growth area. The ways in which practical and theoretical interpretations of risk and the legal

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll