Sunak’s Fraud Squad targets Bounce Back Loan abuse

Chancellor's new Fraud Squad aims to claw back the billions lost to fraud through the Bounce Back Loan scheme

Last week, the Government launched ‘The Fraud Squad.’ Sounds a bit like a blockbuster movie…but it’s actually a serious venture led by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. Initially, the primary objective is to investigate the billions the Government lost through fraud that took place during the height of the pandemic. Experts claim that company directors lost, squandered,…

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Government targets Bounce Back Loan abusers

Insolvency practitioners targeting company directors over Bounce Back Loan abuse

Accused of misconduct, misfeasance, or some other wrongdoing? If so, you’d be wise to carefully consider your options moving forward. During the Covid-19 pandemic, UK businesses received billions of Government aid through CBILS, furlough, and Bounce Back Loan schemes. In total, Bounce Back Loan distributions comprised around £40bn. However, the Government’s Insolvency Service has identified…

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Director disqualification for dodgy wine dealer

Wine specialist William Mason receives 10-year director disqualification ban after abusing money investors paid into his company William Mason Fine Wines

Earlier this month, former wine investor William Geoffrey Mason received a 10-year company director disqualification. An Insolvency Service investigation found that Mason, 54, “abused” hundreds of thousands of pounds investors paid his company. Between 2001 and 2019, Mason’s business, William Mason Fine Wines (WMFW), received more than £445,000 in payments from investors. However, investigators concluded…

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Director disqualification and misconduct

Tips for directors accused of misconduct

Careless, deceitful, and delinquent company directors can expect to face disqualification proceedings if their actions cause creditors to suffer financial loss. Disgruntled shareholders and creditors (the people and businesses you owe) may take action against a director suspected of misfeasance or another serious transgression. However, a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP) usually instigates Director Disqualification Proceedings.…

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Directors guilty of BBL abuse face disqualification

Directors face disqualification for Bounce Back Loan (BBL) abuse

A few months back, we protested the Insolvency Service’s decision to chase the owners of failed businesses for failing to repay Bounce Back Loans. However, the findings of a report by the House of Commons public accounts committee suggest the agency’s strategy may be appropriate after all. To help struggling small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) during the…

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