Fraud Investigator in Harrogate

Do you have an interest in dealing with investigations and/or law enforcement? Are you interested in helping vulnerable people by tackling unlawful activity? Are you motivated to deliver the right outcomes in challenging situations? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could be the place for you. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is bigger than ever.

DWP's Economic, Serious and Organised Crime (ESOC) team is the arm of DWP’s Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt (CFCD) Directorate that deals with complex and sophisticated attacks on DWP benefits and grant payments – usually by organised crime groups. DWP are looking for people with experience in investigations and able to analyse complex data to help tackle organised criminality against DWP through prosecution and/or disruption activities.

This is an exciting opportunity to join CFCD on a team committed to tackling fraud, encountered through our ESOC team. You will be at the forefront of tackling serious and organised crimes against DWP, which often has links into wider criminality of modern slavery, human trafficking, and identity fraud. You will work across multiple law enforcement agencies, on high profile and serious fraud operations involving many suspects in multi-million-pound criminality.

Financial Investigator skills will be used to conduct confiscation and civil investigations on behalf of DWP. Specialist training and support will be provided to help you attain a nationally recognised qualification within this field. Financial Investigators are responsible for undertaking Financial Investigations using the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002 legislation, (amended by Criminal Finance Act (CFA) 2017) and Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 1988. They are also responsible for supporting CFCD through providing trained criminal analysts.

Additionally, as work streams change and DWP reacts to the changing behaviours in criminal activity, investigators must keep pace with modern methods of criminality: this includes the increase in money laundering activity and the use of crypto currencies to mask monies derived from fraudulent activity. Any person undertaking Financial Investigation work must be accredited at the appropriate level via the National Crime Agency (NCA), to carry out their duties. In doing so they must attain and evidence knowledge in relation to the legislative requirements as detailed above. Training and Support will be given to obtain this accreditation.

Your role will be varied with no two days being the same, and you will be empowered to make decisions working alongside multiple agencies.

What will you be doing as either a Criminal or Financial Investigator?

• Lead criminal investigations or financial investigations (criminal and civil) into serious and organised crime against DWP to a successful outcome.
• Engage and collaborate with colleagues, law enforcement agencies and partners across DWP and Government, on joint operations into organised crime.
• Conduct formal briefings with law enforcement agencies, including senior police officers and leaders on the likely impact of operations. This includes press interest notifications and accurate and timely completion of Advanced Warning Reports.
• Organise and participate in arrest, search, and seizure procedures in accordance with warrant legislation and departmental guidance.
• Undertake advanced interviews under caution in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
• Make informed decisions, as to the appropriate legislation and powers to be used and timelines to be imposed on investigations.
• Work closely with Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to develop evidence requirements.
• Prepare all submissions in relation to prosecution, confiscation, and civil actions for court.
• Carry out the role of the Disclosure Officer and be able to produce accurate Disclosure Schedules and adhere to the requirements of an Exhibits Officer as required.
• Confidently use expert knowledge of the case, engage with lawyers and barristers in investigations, including understanding and progressing directions from counsel and the courts at pace.
• Give evidence in Magistrates and/or Crown Court and manage witnesses and victims during the investigation and prosecution process.
• Work with DWP colleagues to reduce and stop further benefit loss.

Due to the nature of this role, it will require occasional travel and overnight stays.