Crime Solicitors

A former broker and his live-in partner have been jailed, after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud more than $2.3 million US dollars (more than £1.757m) from the broker’s employer.

Simon Higginson was a broker for maritime insurance firm Willis Group Limited – now Willis Towers Watson – when he led a sophisticated fraud scheme, involving the identity theft of a business contact.

Higginson shared a home with his accomplice and partner, Lee Willis.

The court heard that, between 1 August 2003 and 1 January 2014, Higginson and Willis conspired together to defraud Willis Group Limited by dishonestly claiming and receiving purported commission payments into bank accounts.

Higginson and Willis were charged with conspiracy to defraud Willis Group Limited by dishonestly claiming and receiving payments into back accounts held in the names Brokermarine and Enargee Consulting Limited, which they said were commission payments from normal business transactions.

Higginson was additionally charged with obtaining money transfers by deception and fraud, contrary to Section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006.

Willis was additionally charged with concealing, disguising, converting or transferring criminal property – or removing criminal property from England and Wales – and Fraud by Abuse of Position, contrary to Section 4 of the Fraud Act 2006.

On 19 August 2016, a guilty plea for a charge of conspiracy to defraud was formally accepted.

Higginson was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for the fraud and Willis was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

The remaining charges will lie on file.

After sentencing, Deputy Head of the Specialist Fraud Division, Naheed Hussain, said:

“This case of sophisticated fraud spanning over a decade is an example of a successful organisation falling victim to fraudulent activity within the ranks.

“While some counter-corruption, money laundering, bribery and fraud protections were in place at the company, the evidence showed that Mr Higginson simply adjusted his tactics in response to any new measure, making forgeries and telling lies to cover up his criminal activity.

“The strength of the evidence and the Crown's case against Higginson and Willis led to them pleading guilty.”

Duncan Lewis Business Crime Solicitors

Duncan Lewis business crime solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving company fraud, financial fraud, white collar crime, false accounting, phantom companies, embezzlement, investor fraud, online fraud, Ponzi schemes and misrepresentation.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a Duncan Lewis business crime solicitor can attend interviews under caution with investigating authorities such as HMRC, SFO, FCA, BIS, Insolvency Service and City of London Police.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on Confiscation Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

For expert legal advice on all business crime charges, call Duncan Lewis business crime solicitors on 0333 772 0409.