Fraud has always been around, today more than ever. Simply consult today’s news media to find out. From a legal perspective, fraud is associated with a variety of different legal areas, such as:
- Labour law (dismissal for misconduct on the grounds of fraud);
- Company law (dismissal of fraudulent directors and managers);
- Tax law (tax regularisation following fraud);
- Corporate criminal law (criminal prosecution of perpetrator);
- Civil law (recovery of loss sustained as a result of fraud);
- …
To name but a few.
A good understanding and coordination of these legal areas are a prerequisite to bring any anti-fraud file to a favourable conclusion.
We pride ourselves on being one of the few law firms - if not the only law firm - in Belgium to have developed a specific practice in the area of anti-fraud.
As such, several of our lawyers are experts in the field of anti-fraud at various levels.
Stijn De Meulenaer, for example, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Forensic Auditors, where he is also accredited as a Registered Forensic Auditor.
Our areas of expertise and experience to benefit your business
The Anti-fraud practice has built an extensive track record in the areas of:
1) Corporate fraud (internal and external fraud):
Fraud prevention;
Fight against fraud:
Depending on the priorities set:
- Mitigation (dismissal, putting a stop to fraudulent activities, …);
- Business continuity (replacement, regularisation, …) ;
- Recovery of losses incurred (settlement, court proceedings, …).
Legal guidance / support of Forensic / internal audit:
- Compliance with legislation on the use of private detectives;
- Compliance with personal privacy legislation;
- ...
Conducting fraud investigations, involving the guidance of outside experts (forensic experts) or otherwise.
2) Tax fraud:
- Risk assessment of criminal offences;
- Regularisation with the administrative and judicial authorities;
- Guidance during (criminal) tax investigations;
- Guidance during (criminal) tax procedure.
3) Social fraud:
- Risk assessment of criminal offences;
- Regularisation with the administrative and judicial authorities;
- Guidance during (criminal) social law investigations;
- Guidance during (criminal) social law procedures.
4) Fraud involving the annual statement of accounts:
- Conducting fraud investigations, involving the guidance of outside experts or otherwise;
- Legal guidance for perpetrators or victims of fraud involving the annual statement of accounts.