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Tipping off and prejudicing an investigation

It would undermine the benefit to the authorities if, a suspicious activity report (SAR) having been made, the alleged offender were to be made aware of the interest in their activities so that they could take steps to cover up their misdeeds or disappear. To combat this, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA 2002) contains the separate offences of 'tipping off' and 'prejudicing an investigation'.

The offences of tipping off and prejudicing an investigation share common features but are aimed at distinctly different offending actions. The tipping off provisions apply only to the regulated sector and are triggered where the individual who knows or suspects a disclosure (or SAR) has been made under POCA 2002, s 337 (protected disclosure) or POCA 2002, s 338 (authorised disclosure) (see Practice Note: Authorised disclosure, protected disclosure and appropriate consent).

The prejudicing an investigation offence is more general in its application and is directed at an individual with knowledge of the existence of an investigation of various types.

Giving any advice