FOI 343099
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 343099
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 25th June 2024. Please find below the response to your request:
I am currently looking in to cases of fraud or theft involving certificates of sponsorship.
I would like to know:
- Has your force received any reports of fraud/theft involving certificates of sponsorship since the beginning of this year? If so, how many?
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REQUEST 2:
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What would you like to know?: 2. If so, have they been referred on to Action Fraud?
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REQUEST 3:
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What would you like to know?: 3. How many of these cases have been referred back to you by Action Fraud since the beginning of the year for further investigation? How many have you decided to take on for further investigation?
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REQUEST 4:
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What would you like to know?: 4. In cases where your force has decided not to undertake further investigation, what was the reasoning behind this?
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REQUEST 5:
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What would you like to know?: 5. Is your force actively investigating any cases of fraud/theft involving certificates of sponsorship? If so, how many?
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REQUEST 6:
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What would you like to know?: 6. What stage are those investigations at?
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REQUEST 7:
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What would you like to know?: 7. Has your force concluded any investigations in cases of fraud/theft involving certificates of sponsorship? If so, how many, and did they result in any arrests or charges brought?
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REQUEST 8:
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What would you like to know?: 8. In cases where charges have been brought, what stage are these cases now at? Have any yet proceeded to court?
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REQUEST 9:
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What would you like to know?: 9. Can you share the names of any people who have been charged?
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REQUEST 10:
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What would you like to know?: 10. Does your force have a strategy in place to systematically handle cases involving certificate of sponsorship fraud? If so, what is this strategy?
Reply
- Has your force received any reports of fraud/theft involving certificates of sponsorship since the beginning of this year? If so, how many?
|
Crimed Incident title |
Number of investigations |
|
Adult Protection Investigation |
1 |
|
Crime Investigation - Action fraud:- NFIB Referral |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
2 |
- If so, have they been referred on to Action Fraud?
Both reports were received by West Mercia from Action Fraud / NFIB.
- How many of these cases have been referred back to you by Action Fraud since the beginning of the year for further investigation? How many have you decided to take on for further investigation?
Both have been referred to West Mercia from NFIB, one for investigation and one for victim care.
- In cases where your force has decided not to undertake further investigation, what was the reasoning behind this?
N/A – investigation commenced
- Is your force actively investigating any cases of fraud/theft involving certificates of sponsorship? If so, how many?
None active at present.
- What stage are those investigations at?
One investigation concluded – victim not engaging with police.
|
Police Outcomes by Crimed Incident |
Number of investigations |
|
Adult Protection Investigation |
1 |
|
Non crime |
1 |
|
Crime Investigation - Action fraud:- NFIB Referral |
1 |
|
Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action |
1 |
- Has your force concluded any investigations in cases of fraud/theft involving certificates of sponsorship? If so, how many, and did they result in any arrests or charges brought?
N/A
- In cases where charges have been brought, what stage are these cases now at? Have any yet proceeded to court?
N/A
- Can you share the names of any people who have been charged?
N/A
- Does your force have a strategy in place to systematically handle cases involving certificate of sponsorship fraud? If so, what is this strategy?
No specific strategy however all referrals from Action Fraud will be investigated if suspects are identified as residing or operating on our force area. Similarly all reports made directly to West Mercia Police will be investigated if the suspects are identified as residing or operating within our force area, and referrals will also be made to Action Fraud.