Ashmans Solicitors – financial crime experts

24Hr Criminal Defence Line

0208 159 2866
Ashmans Solicitors – financial crime experts

24Hr Criminal Defence Line

0208 159 2866
Ashmans Solicitors – financial crime experts

Let us help preserve your freedom and reputation.

  • Court representation at short notice
  • Proactive approach from the outset of the case
  • Expertise in financial crimes
  • Protection of your rights at all times
  • Free Advice and Assistance whilst in police custody
  • Offices in Central London and East London
  • 24/7 Police Station Callouts

What Clients Are Saying About Ashmans

"Ashmans Solicitors successfully secures acquittal in a high profile fraud and money laundering case. Ashmans specialist fraud and money laundering department headed by the principal solicitor Mr Imran Ali represented a former worker of a charity, which had been set up in 2000 by another Defendant who had pleaded guilty. The Charity had received hundreds of thousands of pounds in funding from Lancashire County Council for charity work. The prosecution alleged impropriety in the way the charity was run, involving dishonestly obtaining funds from charity funding providers, which they put to their own use. Ashmans solicitors fraud and money laundering department prepared the case meticulously. This involved trawling through several years of documentation and instructing an expert Forensic Accountant and a specialist fraud Barrister. We worked tirelessly to ensure that no stone was left unturned and managed to secure a favourable outcome, which was one of Not Guilty."
John Doe★★★★★
"Ashmans Solicitors have instructed me in a number of high profile and complex cases. They have shown a tireless and passionate commitment to the interests of their clients. Whilst being mindful of the larger picture, they work hard, paying particular attention to detail in an effort to find innovative solutions for complex legal and practical problems. Their friendly approach towards the clients is marked by a high level of professionalism. The firm as a whole is a pleasure to work with."
Ahmed Nadim, Barrister★★★★★
"I am a barrister with 20 years of experience dealing with complex and high-value criminal fraud cases. I have extensive experience in working with many of the most specialised and sophisticated criminal litigation solicitors nationally. I have worked with Ashmans Solicitors on several hugely complex cases including the alleged of over £100 million internationally by a Money Services Bureau, the sophisticated laundering of seven-figure sums by UK businessmen internationally, and the most complex high-value fraud work. I have come to know the standards of Ashmans Solicitors very well. In complex and difficult scenarios requiring details analytical assessment and tactical astuteness, the firm has real strength in depth. Results achieved by the firm in cases I have dealt with have been truly remarkable and excellent. They could not have been achieved without real desire, commitment and dedication and the pursuit of excellence for the client. It is a pleasure to recommend Ashmans to prospective clients."
Abdul S. Iqbal★★★★★

What is ‘Money Laundering’?

Broadly speaking, money laundering refers to any act which results in disguising the criminal or illicit sources of goods or money. That can be done by disguising money that is the proceeds of a crime as legitimate income, disguising stolen goods as legitimate assets, and more. Even the movement of intellectual property can give rise to money laundering charges. Some money laundering schemes are incredibly intricate, and often involve offshore banks.
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If you suspect that you are being investigated for money laundering or other financial crimes, you need an expert to protect your rights!

Ashmans is a very well-respected national firm. We are featured in the Legal 500 guide, a listing of the UK’s most prestigious legal practices.

Ashmans has one of the most highly specialised money laundering and POCA defence teams in the nation. As well as our defence solicitors themselves we have built a team of expert caseworkers, respected barristers and other highly skilled professionals who can be mobilised for your defence very quickly.

We have an extensive network of support as well, including some of the best forensic accountants, forgery and handwriting experts and cybersecurity professionals working today.

We can put all of these people to work investigating your case and preparing your defence, and ensuring that absolutely no stone is left unturned. This is the only way to protect yourself properly in the face of such suspicions or charges, and the only way to preserve not just your reputation and career, but your freedom.

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Ashmans Solicitors specialises in protecting people like you in any money laundering or POCA matter

Cases of money laundering or offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) are our specialty. Ashmans provides a truly pro-active defence, and we understand just what is needed of a defence team when the details of the case begin to cross international borders and affect the operations of overseas interests.
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The Proceeds of Crime Act of 2002 established the Assets Recovery Agency, and established several specific money laundering offences.The money laundering offences created by the POCA include ‘The Concealing Offence’ (POCA 2002 s 327), ‘The Arranging Offence’ (POCA 2002 s 328) and ‘The Acquisition, Use or Possession Offence’ (POCA 2002 s 329).The Concealing Offence requires the defendant to have concealed, disguised, converted or transferred money or property which they knew or suspected was the proceeds of crime, or removed that property to outside England and Wales.The Arranging Offence required that the defendant entered into or became involved in an arrangement which they knew or suspected caused criminal property to somehow enter the control of or benefit another person, or at least made it easier for this to happen.The acquisition, use and possession offence requires the defendant to have acquired, gained possession of, or have used what they suspected or knew to be criminal property.
Several investigative bodies are able to investigate cases where money laundering or POCA offences are suspected. These include the Serious Fraud Office, HM Revenue and Customs and the Police.
Money laundering and closely related offences have been created by The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, the Antiterrorism, Crime and Security Act, the Terrorism Act and a few specific money laundering regulations, such as the one which allows Unexplained Wealth Orders.
Yes, they can. It is common for the assets of a company or individual suspected of participating in a money-laundering scheme to be subject to a ‘restraint order’. A restraint order requires your banks and other financial institutions to freeze your assets. If you are convicted, some or all of those assets can be confiscated.
A defendant convicted under any of the three money laundering offences created by POCA can be subject to up to 14 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
As the prosecution need not prove dishonesty to convict a defendant of any of these offences, most defences centre around showing that the defendant had reason to believe that any relevant conduct occurred outside of UK jurisdiction (and was therefore not unlawful), that they had a reasonable excuse not to issue a disclosure as described by POCA s 338, or that such a disclosure was in fact made.

If you have been accused of Money Laundering or any other serious crime, you need Ashmans Solicitors at your side!

Allegations of money laundring and other serious crimes should only ever be handled by experts! Whilst many such cases can be heard at a magistrate’s court, cases involving severe harm to the victim are often tried before the crown court, and demand a much higher level of investigation and preparation than lesser crimes. The Criminal Defence Team at Ashmans Solicitors will make sure the no stone goes unturned, and that no detail of your Defence is left to chance. This is the only way to ensure the best possible outcome. After all, your very liberty is at stake!

Our Defence Team includes solicitor advocates with higher rights as well as experienced Criminal caseworkers.
We have developed excellent working relationships with some of the best barristers in the country.
We have assisted clients in defending against everything from accusations of common money laundring to the most severe accusations of money laundring with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.
We consistently draw on the highest levels of speciality expertise for all our clients.
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Notable Cases

R-v-AA & Others Huntingdon Crown Court

The Defendant, along with 4 others, was charged with entering into an arrangement to launder the proceeds of crime totalling in excess of £1 million. This was a large scale money laundering operation and very sophisticated in its nature. The Defendant was alleged to have masterminded the operation. A number of international companies were defrauded by having their accounting practices high jacked and proceeds of their sales were diverted into other companies or persons’ names. These monies were then dissipated involving layering of bank accounts and then withdrawals in large denominations of cash. The case was highly complex and voluminous in its nature. It was prosecuted by the Economic Crime Unit.

R-v-GH Bristol Crown Court

Ashmans Serious Fraud Dept following an eight-week trial secure a not guilty verdict for the lead defendant in a multi-million-pound duty fraud and money laundering case.

The investigation lasting some 4 years pre-charge in which Ashmans’ team were involved in representation from the police station stage revolved around in total of 12 persons who were alleged to be involved in this conspiracy.

Following the lengthy HMRC investigation, 9 people were subsequently charged.

It was alleged that GH was the UK head of this EUROPEAN WIDE duty fraud. The case centred around the issue of whether the money was criminal property.

A vigorous challenge based around many legal arguments as well as numerous disclosure applications resulted in evidence being obtained which was placed before the Jury which assisted in exonerating not just our client but all other 8 defendants too.

Had it not been for these disclosure requests the outcome may well have been different.

"Operation Caring Today" Preston Crown Court

Ashman’s Solicitors successfully secures acquittal in a high profile fraud and money laundering case. Ashman’s specialist fraud and money laundering department headed by the principal solicitor Mr. Imran Ali represented a former worker of a Charity, which had been set up in 2000 by another Defendant who had pleaded guilty. The Charity had received hundreds of thousands of pounds in funding from Lancashire County Council for charity work.

The prosecution alleged impropriety in the way the charity was run, involving dishonestly obtaining funds from charity funding providers, which they put to their own use. Ashman’s solicitor’s fraud and money laundering department prepared the case meticulously. This involved trawling through several years of documentation and instructing an expert Forensic Accountant and a specialist fraud Barrister. We worked tirelessly to ensure that no stone was left unturned and managed to secure a favourable outcome, which was one of Not Guilty. Speak with our Fleet St Solicitors today specialist in complex fraud cases.

Why should I choose Ashmans Solicitors to represent me?

We are dedicated to providing world-class service to all of our clients, and we specialise in protecting your rights and reputation even in routine police interviews and investigations.

24 HOUR Criminal Defence HOTLINE 0208 159 2866

We make sure an experienced, fully qualified member of our Criminal Defence Team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even during public holidays.

Evening & Weekend Appointments

We regularly arrange after-hours appointments, as we understand that most of our clients work 9 to 5 as well. We even arrange meetings at your home or place of care, if you have mobility issues.

Real Expert Advice and Assistance

We have built a reputation on protecting our clients during police interviews, and by ensuring that they are treated fairly at all times. We understand exactly what is needed to achieve the best possible resolution, and ensure that nothing is left undone.
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Advice from Ashmans Solicitors

The number one piece of advice we can give to anyone who has been accused of money laundering or believes that they are under investigation is: Retain the services of a specialist Criminal Defence solicitor as soon as possible, tell them absolutely everything and follow their advice to the letter.

Your ashmans’ money laundering/POCA defence team can hep you by:

  • Ensuring that all of your rights are protected – and respected – during any interaction with the authorities.
  • Gathering evidence that might tend to exonerate you.
  • Making a detailed, professional analysis of that evidence and any evidence against you.
  • Conducting an in-court cross-examination of the accuser and/or any prosecution witnesses.
  • Retaining the services of Experts, including forensic scientists, psychologists and others.
  • Preparing witness statements
  • Conducting a direct investigation of any sites, accounts or locations involved.
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This is no doubt a very difficult time for you, but it is imperative that you do a few things quickly in order to ensure that you are treated fairly by the police and the courts, and that this matter results in as little harm as possible to your reputation and career, to say nothing of your freedom!
Instruct a solicitor who is a money laundering and financial crime specialist.- Explain your situation, the accusations against you, and any other facts which may be relevant- Follow your solicitor’s advice precisely.Failing to secure the help of an expert solicitor right away could do great harm to your case, and could have dire consequences for your business and for you personally.
Your actions in the days, weeks or even hours leading up to an arrest or interview under caution can have a dramatic impact on the eventual disposition of your case, and indeed on your liberty.
Do not assume the matter is concluded simply because you have not heard from the police in a matter of weeks, or even months. Some matters are indeed dropped quickly, but major crimes can take months or even years to generate formal charges, and some cases can be re-opened even years later.
This cannot be overstated. Especially in the early stages of an investigation, the police will interview witnesses and even suspects without advising them of their right to have a solicitor present to assist them.
As the prosecution need not prove dishonesty to convict a defendant of any of these offences, most defences centre around showing that the defendant had reason to believe that any relevant conduct occurred outside of UK jurisdiction (and was therefore not unlawful), that they had a reasonable excuse not to issue a disclosure as described by POCA s 338, or that such a disclosure was in fact made.

National & Award-winning Solicitors

Free, no-obligation consultation on your situation

Ashmans stands ready at 0208 159 2866 to provide a free consultation where you can explain your situation, and we can advise you on the next steps you should take – and especially whether you should retain the services of a solicitor. There is no cost for this, and no obligation to continue with Ashmans, no matter what we advise.

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Contact us now

If you are facing any kind of a police interview or investigation, it is vital that you get legal representation and expert advice immediately.

Please call us now at 0208 159 2866. We’ll be happy to offer you the advice you need to preserve your liberty, your career, and your reputation. If you would prefer to get in touch online, please email us at enquiries@ashmanssolicitors.com or complete our Free Online Enquiry form below. Either way, we’ll be in touch very soon.

Central London Office

107-111 Fleet Street Central London EC4A 2AB (By Appointment only)
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East London Office

City Gate House 246-250 Romford Road London
E7 9HZ
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Contact us now for a no-obligation, free consultation

Use the form below to contact us regarding your legal enquiry. Please be as detailed as possible. To help us best service your enquiry, we recommend that you first describe the issue you’re having before telling us what you want to achieve. You may also email or call us to make an appointment.

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Ashmans Solicitors is a trading name of Ashmans Solicitors Limited. Registered in England and Wales with company no. 9103057. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. ID 614570. VAT 944718203. DX 23352 Dewsbury, SRA N°: 620496 London Branch