A new bill, Criminal Justice & Licensing (Scotland), is going through Parliament and, if passed, will create new offences such as directing, involvement in, and failing to report serious organised crime. So warn Strathclyde Police.
Organised criminal groups operate across the Strathclyde area, say police, making money through illegal activity and using innocent people to assist them. Financial crime is one of the fastest growing trends these groups are engaging in. <br><br>To successfully defraud organisations there is a need for specialist professionals. People holding key positions within organisations are being targeted by criminal networks to assist them in their work/ventures etc. <br><br>Visit the force website to find out about:<br><br>Legislation<br>Advice for professionals<br>Consequences<br>Advice for businesses/employers<br>How to report your suspicions<br>New legislation for new powers to prosecute<br><br>Penalties such as a prison sentence of up to 14 years and new powers for prosecutor to apply for financial reporting orders makes it all the more important for businesses and employees to ensure that correct measures are in place to truly identify/know their clients or face prosecution.<br><br>Strathclyde Police has advice for both employers and employees on how to prevent being targeted by crime groups and what to do if you are:<br><br>Advice for professionals<br><br>Look out for customers only wanting to do business over the phone or internet. All customer validation checks should be carried out, not just an identity check. Do a background check<br>Scrutinise sources of deposits to confirm validity, with the use of receipts/bank statements<br>Be wary of very similar multiple transactions<br>If an intermediary is being used always confirm their reputation and legitimacy<br>Look out for possible organised crime indicators – cash rich companies and payments from invisible services<br>Keep up to date with current legislation re money laundering and the protocol to deal with it<br>If you are in doubt over the credibility of a client, their business, provenance of funds or legitimacy of a transaction then submit a SAR and allow the Law Enforcement Agency to assess the information and make an informed decision<br><br>If it is clear criminality has occurred – you must inform the police.<br><br>Consequences<br><br>Failure to report suspicious activity will result in penalties:<br><br>Conviction of criminality in fraud, money laundering<br>Assets frozen, loss of savings, property, cars etc believed to have been obtained illegally<br>Ruined reputation and expulsion from professional body making finding employment in future difficult<br>If the Criminal Justice & Licensing (Scotland) Bill goes through parliament then penalties include prosecution and a prison sentence of up to 14 years.<br><br>Advice for businesses and employers<br><br>Businesses/employers can take some simple steps to assist with preventing fraud which is often committed with colluding staff:<br><br>Know your staff – check CVs and take up references. The more sensitive the holder’s position the more detailed the search should be<br>When staff move – remember to change computers, passwords and building access levels<br>Have strong control over access to computers, documents and equipment to prevent unauthorised use<br>Train staff in security systems, disciplinary policies and procedures and encourage line management to enforce this<br>Encourage whistle blowing philosophy in organisation<br>Carry out random spot checks<br>Take a hard line on culprits. Have a clear message that any colluding staff will be reported to any professional body and Police<br>Limit use of USB drives and external storage items<br>Consider ban on mobiles at workstations (have been used for photographing computer screens)<br>Divide duties between staff so irregularities will be spotted and introduce monitoring controls<br>Encourage staff to examine every transaction carefully – look out inconsistencies and use expertise and professional judgement<br>Develop clear procedures if suspicious activity is identified<br>Empower managers to act quickly and take immediate action in respect of crimes in action<br>How to report your suspicions<br><br>Should you have concerns or suspicion that an employee or colleague is involved in or directing serious organised crime you should report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or to your local police office.<br><br>Further advice<br><br>Scottish Business Crime Centre <br>Tel: 01786 447441 <br>Web: http://sbcc.org.uk/public/
And launching a campaign this week, Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton, Crime Division, said: “Serious and organised crime, which very often involves the use of violence, corruption and intimidation, costs Scotland around £2 billion per year and Strathclyde Police is committed to tackling the issue.
“Over the next two months, we will relentlessly target those linked to serious and organised crime and do everything in our power to make life difficult for those involved in this type of criminality.”
SOCGs main commodities are money and power, but individuals deal in everything from drugs, human trafficking and counterfeiting, to firearms and money laundering.
Using seemingly legitimate businesses as a means to front their criminal activity, SOCGs will often use violence and intimidation to protect their assets.
ACC Hamilton added: “There is a perception that SOCGs operate at a distance when in reality, they are present within our communities. Those involved in serious and organised crime live next door to decent, law abiding people and are the types of individuals who seem to always have the best of everything but no obvious means of income.
“People often don’t realise they are indirectly funding serious and organised crime. For example, buying counterfeit goods lines the pockets of these criminals and is funding not only their wealthy lifestyle but is being used to fund more serious crimes.
