Fraud Intelligence

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) says it "has struck a significant blow" to criminal gangs operating cross-border value added tax (VAT) fraud schemes around sales of electronic devices.

Better than a smoking gun, one might think, is video or audio of a suspect caught in the bad act, but then is it legal, admissible, technically feasible, a sensible use of investigative resource? Keith Nuthall laces his gumshoes and goes looking for answers.

Over a quarter (27%) of active British businesses encountered fraud in the previous 12 months, with medium and large firms bearing the brunt, according to the UK Economic Crime Survey 2024 (sample size 3,477), published by the Home Office on 7 November [2025].

European Union (EU) anti-fraud agencies have been targeting swindles involving the dishonest earning of agricultural subsidies. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), working with Greek police, have arrested 37 organised crime suspects allegedly operating a large-scale subsidy fraud and money laundering scheme involving claims for agricultural subsidies using misleading documents.

The career fraudster, as well as practising every trick in the deception book, will be skilled in self-preservation, not afraid to confront law enforcement. Roland Winter, seasoned investigator and former detective, learnt much, at no small cost, from his pursuit of colourful Australian conman Peter Foster. Keith Nuthall traces the twisting tale.