Serious Fraud Office

The Serious Fraud Office fights complex financial crime, delivers justice for victims and protects the UK's reputation as a safe place to do business. The SFO covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not Scotland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.

Key responsibilities include:

• Taking on a small number of large economic crime cases involving serious or complex fraud, bribery or corruption
• Both investigating and prosecuting cases - unusual in the UK because lawyers and investigators work together from the beginning due to case complexity
• Pursuing criminals for financial benefits obtained from crimes and assisting overseas jurisdictions with investigations

The Director may investigate suspected offences involving serious or complex fraud, bribery or corruption, considering actual or intended harm to the public, the UK's reputation as an international financial centre, or the UK's economy and prosperity. Cases are selected based on whether their complexity warrants the SFO's specialist skills, powers and capabilities.

Established in 1988 under the Criminal Justice Act 1987, the SFO is superintended by the Attorney General according to a framework agreement that defines the relationship between the Attorney and Law Officers' Departments.