Investigations
We advise and act in cross-border investigations concerning bribery, fraud, corruption, money laundering and whistle-blower complaints. These include conducting sensitive internal investigations as well as representing clients in external investigations conducted by regulatory authorities. Our Investigations Practice has been instructed by multinational companies and listed companies to advise and represent them in high-stakes complex global investigations. We also have experience in assisting clients with dawn raids conducted by enforcement agencies.
Our Investigations practice is well complemented by our other leading practice areas such as Dispute Resolution, Banking & Finance, Fraud & Asset Recovery, Sanctions & Regulatory Compliance, Tax, and White-Collar Crime.
Leveraging on our expertise in the Sanctions & Regulatory Compliance space, we can assist in internal investigations, and voluntary disclosures to the relevant authorities including the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the US Department of the Treasury.
Over the years, our team has fostered a close working relationship with investigators, leveraging their skills in digital forensics, corporate intelligence, and traditional detective work. Investigators delve into the more technical intricacies of financial transactions and digital footprints, while our investigation lawyers interpret the findings within a legal framework, driving efficient asset tracing and fraudster identification.
Our investigations team routinely assist clients with investigations work including but not limited to:
- Anti-bribery, corruption and fraud
- Anti-money laundering
- Criminal investigations and prosecution
- Dawn raids
- Financial services regulation
- Tax investigations
- Internal investigations
- Regulatory investigations and enforcement
- Whistle-blowing
Our established track record speaks volumes about our demonstrated expertise in the Investigations space. Some examples of landmark, high profile investigations cases we have handled are:
- Represented various multinational corporations in anti-fraud and anti-corruption investigation work involving Singapore and overseas operations
- Advised a major UK bank in an independent investigation involving issues of fraud, corruption and the handling of customer issues. The period under investigation spanned almost ten years and involved complex financial issues as well as interactions with the FCA
- Conducted an internal investigation into the activities of the employees on the commodity financing desk of an established financial institution involving allegations of fraud
- Advised a publicly listed company in an investigation brought by ASIC involving complex accounting and compliance issues
- Advised a multinational brokerage firm in an investigation commenced by the Singapore authorities involving issues of market manipulation and cheating offences under the Securities and Futures Act
- Represented various multinational corporations in anti-fraud and anti-corruption investigation work involving Singapore and overseas operations
- Acted for a leading investment bank in the Singapore High Court in defending it against multiple actions brought by ex-employees for wrongful dismissal arising in the context of a global regulatory investigation – all the actions were eventually settled on terms favourable to the client
- Assisting a multinational company in the oil and gas trade with investigations into apparent violations of sanctions against North Korea
