Unexplained wealth orders (UWOs) aren’t the final step but the starting point.
They’re a powerful investigative tool used at the beginning of proceedings to compel individuals to explain how they acquired high-value assets that don’t match their income.
The evidence gathered can then be used in civil recovery proceedings, where law enforcement must prove, on the balance of probabilities, that the property was obtained through unlawful conduct.
Want to learn more? Hear from SFO case controller Steven Fitzpatrick on how UWOs help tackle financial crime. Read More