SFO launches whistle-blowing hotline to ‘flush out fraud’

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched a whistle-blowing service in its latest effort to crack down on fraud and corruption.

SFO Confidential allows insiders within organisations who suspect fraud or corruption might be taking place to call a team of trained operatives informing them of the suspect activities.

Underpinning the service is an online reporting form together with an "SFO Confidential" hotline.

"I want people to come forward and tell us if they think there is fraud or corruption going on in their workplace," said SFO director Richard Alderman.

"Company executives, staff, professional advisers, business associates of various kinds or trade competitors can talk to us in confidence."

SFO Confidential will be used to help "flush out fraud," he said.

The reporting service is not intended for direct victims of fraud or corruption, but to allow those who have knowledge through their professional activities of situations which appear to be suspicious to blow the whistle on the practices.

Whistleblowers who call the hotline number can talk through their concerns with an SFO Confidential adviser. Their identity will be securely protected, and contact can be made anonymously if preferred.

The SFO Confidential contact number is 020 7239 7388 and operates from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Further information is available on the SFO website. Reports can also be emailed to confidential@sfo.gsi.gov.uk