Can a fraud conviction or POCA order be appealed?

Yes. Common grounds include an inadequate Ivey dishonesty direction, wrong culpability category, or a confiscation benefit / available-amount figure that can be rebutted with proper accounting evidence.

Do you challenge confiscation orders?

Yes. We review Section 16 statements, criminal-lifestyle assumptions, hidden-asset findings and the available amount, and identify grounds to vary or appeal the order.

Can a defence forensic accountant help?

Often, yes. Where the prosecution's loss or benefit figure drives the sentence or the POCA, an independent expert report can be decisive. We tell you honestly whether one is worth commissioning.

Do you cover HMRC and DWP prosecutions?

Yes — cheat the public revenue, VAT fraud, MTIC, benefit fraud and Proceeds of Crime confiscation arising from them.

How long does the review take?

10–15 working days for a standard fraud file. Larger multi-handed cases take longer and we agree the timetable up-front.

Specialist review · Fraud & financial crime

Fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and POCA — reviewed by senior counsel.

Fraud cases turn on documents, digital trails and expert reports. A senior lawyer with fraud experience reads the schedules, unused material and any confiscation paperwork, and gives you a written opinion on the strength of the case, the fair loss figure and every arguable ground on conviction, sentence or POCA order.

£1,950fixed fee · 10–15 working days · payment plans available

Buy now — £1,950 Ask a question first

Charges we review

Fraud by false representation — s2 Fraud Act 2006
Fraud by failing to disclose — s3 Fraud Act 2006
Fraud by abuse of position — s4 Fraud Act 2006
Conspiracy to defraud — Common law
Money laundering — ss327–329 POCA 2002
Cheating the public revenue / tax fraud — Common law / TMA 1970
Benefit fraud — Social Security Administration Act 1992
Bribery — Bribery Act 2010
Confiscation orders — s6 POCA 2002 / criminal lifestyle

What the lawyer reviews

Indictment, opening note and MG5 — the prosecution's theory of the case
Financial schedules, forensic accountant reports and the loss / benefit calculation
Disclosure schedules (MG6C/D/E), digital evidence, banking data and third-party records
Confiscation Section 16 statement and any Section 17 response — hidden assets, tainted gifts, lifestyle assumptions
Assumed benefit figure and the available amount — challenges to both
Whether the prosecution properly proved dishonesty (Ivey v Genting objective test)
Sentencing category under the fraud guideline — harm, culpability and credit for plea
Any compensation, deprivation or director disqualification orders

Common grounds we identify

Loss figure inflated — the prosecution's methodology can be challenged by a defence expert

Wrong culpability under the fraud guideline (A/B/C) applied at sentence

Criminal lifestyle assumptions rebutted — legitimate income shown for assumed benefit

Confiscation available-amount calculation wrong (equity, joint ownership, third-party interests)

Non-disclosure of unused material undermining a co-defendant's role

Ivey dishonesty direction inadequate on the specific facts

Delay in prosecution amounting to abuse of process

Sentence manifestly excessive when benchmarked against comparable fraud appeals

Anonymised examples

Conspiracy to defraud — £4.2m indictment

Review challenged prosecution's loss methodology and the client's role assessment as 'leading'.

Outcome: Sentence reduced; POCA benefit halved

Benefit fraud — DWP prosecution

Overpayment calculation had double-counted a legitimate carer's allowance period.

Outcome: Confiscation order varied on appeal

Money laundering — s329 POCA

Client convicted after co-defendant plea. Review identified inadequate 'knowledge or suspicion' direction.

Outcome: Advice: arguable conviction ground

Examples are anonymised, based on real case types we have reviewed. Every case is different and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

What clients say

"The confiscation figure the Crown wanted was £780,000. Case Review UK's report was used by my barrister to knock it down under £200,000. Money genuinely well spent."

— Client, Southwark Crown Court POCA case

"Straightforward, plain-English report from a lawyer who clearly knew fraud inside out. Told us where the case was strong and where it wasn't. No fluff."

— Business owner, HMRC prosecution

Testimonials are from verified clients, redacted for confidentiality.

Important

This is an independent case review by a senior UK criminal lawyer. It is not a substitute for instructing a solicitor or barrister to represent you at court. Outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, judge and tribunal, and cannot be guaranteed. All papers are treated in strict confidence.

Book Fraud & Financial Crime Case Review — £1,950 See all services

Get in touch

Not sure this is the right package?

Send a short summary of the charge and stage. A senior reviewer will tell you honestly whether this specialist review, a Full Case Assessment, or an urgent triage fits best.

• Reviewed by senior UK lawyers and barristers
• Over 50 years of combined experience
• Fully online — discreet and secure

FAQ