ABV Solicitors

Serious Fraud, Serious Crime, White-Collar Fraud

Director

Deepak specialises in high profile, complex white/grey-collar serious fraud cases and has over 25 years of experience in that field.

He is consulted regularly on matters including investigations conducted by the SFO, FCA, NCA, HMRC, Trading Standards, Local Authority, DBIS and the CPS. His work includes advising clients and corporations both pre and post charge. These clients include companies, high-net worth individuals, professionals, law enforcement offices and people in the public eye / household names.

Deepak has built his practice in defending serious and complex fraud cases which include conspiracies to defraud, relating to mis-selling investments, boiler room frauds, land banking frauds, advance fee frauds and various collective investment schemes, large scale mortgage frauds, vishing / phishing frauds, cross border money laundering, VAT and various Customs offences.

He is currently involved in representing high profile clients on high profile bribery and corruption SFO investigations which also have an overlap with investigations conducted by the US Department of Justice.

Deepak also has vast experience in dealing with offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Confiscation and Asset Forfeiture, Restraint Orders and Extradition together with major / serious organised violent crimes including Murder.

Deepak has defended clients in some of the largest prosecutions in the UK (see work highlights included in this submission) and is highly regarded and respected within the profession.

Deepak’s track record is extensive and impressive. As a result of his reputation and success, Deepak has built his practice entirely on recommendations.

As a fraud supervisor and contract manager on the Very High Cost Cases (VHCC) Panel, Deepak has a vast amount of experience of working on VHCC cases, often involving multiple defendants, high value offences and major organised crime, which are usually accompanied by voluminous prosecution disclosure.

Deepak is also the MLRO within the practice.

Deepak’s work highlights include:

SFO Investigation: Deepak has been instructed by the former President of SBM Offshore in respect of allegations of bribery and corruption investigated by the Serious Fraud Office (Unaoil Investigation). The worldwide value of the bribes are circa $180 million. SFO Investigation: Deepak is also advising a lawyer from South Africa in respect of the Serious Fraud Office bribery and corruption investigation into British American Tobacco. R v G: Representation of a multi-company director under investigation by the Environment Agency for a £40 million fraud involving illegally deposited waste circa at least 17,000 tonnes. Operation Tidworth: said to be one of the largest investigation conducted by the Financial Conduct Authority into a land banking investment fraud.

Operation Haslemere: an investigation conducted by the Financial Conduct Authority into a £4.5 million boiler room investment fraud where shares of a number of Public Limited Companies were offered for sale.

R v C: Deepak is instructed to represent a suspect involved in a multi-million Ponzi scheme investment fraud. One of the co-suspects was a famous household football player. Operation Surging: NCA investigation into an alleged £40 million laundering scheme. Operation Alyxia: Deepak represented a suspect involved in a £113 million vishing fraud, linked to Operation Kadenza. The Prosecution relied upon a witness who had decided to give Queen’s Evidence against our client. Operation Yalong: multi-million mortgage fraud involving defence enquiries conducted in Dubai. Operation Sorrell: £20 million contested confiscation proceedings where Deepak was required to conduct crucial defence enquiries in Nairobi and Mombasa. Operation Belman: Large Tier 1 immigration fraud, linked to Operation Façade following the BBC Panorama expose. Operation Pulex: the suspect, a British Airways baggage handler instructed Deepak to represent him for a case involving the importation of 100 kg of Class A drugs into the UK from Rio, Brazil.

Deepak started his career in the City of London before developing his practice and client base in the West London and Berkshire region. Today his clients come from a vast geographical area requiring Deepak to travel both within the UK and internationally.

Fraud Lawyers Association POCLA LCCSA VHCC (Panel Supervisor and Contract Manager)