Fraud Litigation / arbitration:
Track record
Asset misappropriation claim - Ukraine, Israel, Belgium, Switzerland and Belize
Commodities fraud - aluminium industry, Russia, Tajikistan, Greece
Commodities fraud - oil industry, UK, Cyprus and Ukraine
Conspiracy to defraud - aviation industry, UK and Gibraltar
Conspiracy to defraud - catering industry, UK, Italy and Kazakhstan
Fraudulent product transfer - telecommunications industry, UK
Letters of credit fraud - shipping, UK, Dubai
Proceeds of Crime - telecommunications industry, UK, Italy and Monaco
Property fraud - UK, Gibraltar and Portugal
Trading fraud - aluminium industry, Dubai, UK
VAT fraud - freight forwarding industry, UK
Asset misappropriation claim - Ukraine, Israel, Belgium, Switzerland and Belize
A private individual approached PCB Litigation to defend claims made against him in excess of US$35 million by an Israeli businessman, relating to alleged identity theft, misappropriation of substantial assets in Ukraine and duress.
The dispute had already been running for three years and had been the subject of extensive litigation in both England and Ukraine - yet within just four months of being retained, the PCB Litigation team had analysed the massive amount of documentation the case had generated to date, successfully applied for extensive injunctive relief and obtained extensive evidence regarding the Claimant's criminal past and a substantial order for security for costs before the claim was struck out.
PCB Litigation then obtained a worldwide freezing order in relation to costs with attachments in four other jurisdictions. On the day the Claimant was due to attend court to be cross-examined by PCB Litigation as to his assets, he provided full security for the costs that he had been ordered to pay.
back to topBank fraud - South America
PCB Litigation was instructed by a leading South American bank which had its online reputation put at risk by cyber fraudsters running a sophisticated phishing operation. Using our extensive global partnerships within the IT, fraud investigation and policing sectors, the fraudulent website was removed within 24 hours of receiving the instruction.
back to topCommodities fraud - aluminium industry, Russia, Tajikistan, Greece
PCB Litigation acted for a Lichtenstein Trust and a shipping family in successfully challenging the jurisdiction of the English Courts.
back to topCommodities fraud - oil industry, UK, Cyprus and Ukraine
This complex, multi-action case between two leading international names in the oil industry involved a claim for US$100 million - with a counterclaim of US$20 million - for the misappropriation of shares in a Ukrainian refinery, the transfer pricing of oil products and the fraudulent diversion of joint venture assets through fictitious or improper transactions. A large number of international experts were called in by PCB Litigation to create a case team, led by Steven Philippsohn, that included oil pricing experts, forensic accountants, forensic document examiners, computer forensic experts, Russian language professors, Ukrainian lawyers, medical consultants and auditors.
Due to the diligence of the PCB Litigation team, key documents were uncovered that led to us obtaining a search order in the middle of the trial. The case then settled four months after the commencement of the trial.
back to topConspiracy to defraud - aviation industry, UK and Gibraltar
PCB Litigation acted for an aviation company accused of conspiracy to defraud an airline of £6 million. Claims were also brought in knowing receipt and knowing assistance in both England and Gibraltar where the claimant obtained extensive disclosure and freezing orders based partly on the evidence of an alleged co-conspirator. Our strategy was to include contribution claims against the informant and other alleged co-conspirators as well as raising issues about full and frank disclosure - with the result that we obtained a settlement.
back to topConspiracy to defraud - catering industry, UK, Italy and Kazakhstan
PCB Litigation were retained to bring and defend a series of civil and criminal claims in or involving various jurisdictions including claims that a solicitor received bribes. In order to build the case, PCB Litigation obtained a number of orders for further information and disclosure, as against the Defendant solicitors and third parties. This included an order for electronic disclosure, despite the protests of the solicitors that such disclosure would not reveal any more than was on their physical files that had been disclosed. In fact, the electronic disclosure provided substantial new evidence to build the links between the solicitor and the alleged briber, enabling PCB Litigation's clients to obtain a confidential settlement.
back to topFraudulent product transfer - telecommunications industry, UK
PCB Litigation acted for a company in relation to the fraudulent transfer of bespoke mobile telephone numbers involving a major network provider, obtaining a satisfactory settlement for our client.
back to topLetters of credit fraud - shipping, UK, Dubai
The client was alleged to have been the perpetrator of a US$400 million fraud involving approximately 20 banks which had issued letters of credit based upon fictitious trading transactions. A worldwide freezing order was obtained and the client's passport seized. PCB Litigation successfully obtained a Court Order by which the passport was returned which placed the client in an advantageous position in his subsequent dealings.
back to topMortgage fraud - UK and Spain
PCB Litigation were retained by a defendant to a £25 million mortgage fraud claim. A commercially advantageous settlement was resolved for the client. Read more about mortgage fraud.
back to topProceeds of Crime - telecommunications industry, UK, Italy , Monaco
The claimants alleged that a third party had fraudulently misled them into investing into certain assets at the height of the dotcom boom and had then misappropriated their monies, which had now been hidden by the clients. Criminal proceedings were brought in Italy and Monaco and worldwide freezing orders obtained in England. PCB immediately launched a successful application to discharge the freezing order on the basis that the Court had no jurisdiction to grant a worldwide freezing order and the case has been reported in the main law reports eg [2009] EWHC 2316 (Comm).
back to topProperty fraud - UK
A substantial property company retained the PCB Litigation team in relation to claims that through fraudulent misrepresentations it had induced another property company to purchase a building. Due to the firm stance adopted by PCB Litigation, the claims were dropped.
back to topProperty fraud - UK, Gibraltar and Portugal
PCB Litigation acted for a property development company to prosecute claims for fraudulent invoicing by a contractor, in relation to which PCB Litigation obtained a worldwide freezing order and various disclosure orders. PCB Litigation also brought claims in negligence against the client's former solicitors. Through PCB Litigation's persistence, the client was able to recover a substantial proportion of the stolen funds and his losses.
back to topTrading fraud - aluminium industry, Dubai, UK
PCB Litigation acted for a senior trader accused of receiving bribes in successfully challenging worldwide freezing orders in a case that defined the limits of an investigator's powers. Significant expert evidence was collated by PCB Litigation regarding metal pricing to undermine the claimant's case. The claim was dismissed at trial and costs awarded in the client's favour.
back to topVAT fraud - freight forwarding industry, UK
PCB Litigation were retained by a UK-based freight forwarding agent that had been alleged to have been involved in a £120 million VAT carousel fraud involving numerous European countries.
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