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flag   Country: UK  The mechanisms for reporting foreign bribery are adequateThe mechanisms for reporting foreign bribery are adequate Adequate mechanisms for and information on reporting foreign bribery

Use the contacts on this page to report any suspicions or evidence of a British registered company or national being involved in the bribery of a foreign public official in an international business transaction. The transaction may have taken place in any country in the world.
Foreign Bribery is a Crime
Bribery of a foreign public official has been a criminal offence in the UK since 14 February 2002. Bribery that occurred prior to this date may also be a criminal offence if any part of the offence took place in the UK. Further information on the foreign bribery offence is available from UK Bribery and Corruption Law.
Implementing Legislation
Reporting
The UK Government advises that suspected incidents of foreign bribery be reported to either the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), which is the lead agency on foreign brbery in the UK, or to the City of London Police Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit (OACU), which has been set up to investigate foreign bribery. Confidential reports, as well as allegations concerning individuals or agents, should be reported to the OACU. Overt reports, as well as allegations concerning UK companies, should be reported to the SFO. Anonymous reporting is permitted. Verbal and written reports can be accepted in English (official language). To call the UK from another country, use the international access code +44. It is also possible to report information regarding suspected incidents of foreign bribery to the British embassy in the country where the bribery is alleged to have occurred. British public officials are required to report confirmed suspicions and belief of foreign bribery to the British enforcement authorities.

Contacts
Serious Fraud Office (SFO)  
Description  Initial telephone contact with the SFO should be made in English, if possible. A request can be made to speak to someone in another language. Emails and documentation sent in other languages should identify, in English, the language being used. The SFO will make arrangements for these to be translated. 
You can report  Anonymously   Confidentially   Openly   
Telephone   Post   Fax   Email   Website 
Guidelines Do
  • Be aware that the SFO will consider anonymous reports, but that anonymous reports will carry less weight.
Telephone  + 44 (0) 20 7084 4501 : 24 hour   7 days  | This is the direct line for the Corruption Domain. Ask for 'Corruption Vetting'.
Check time Use TimeAndDate to check local time
Fax  + 44 (0) 20 7833 5450 | This is the fax number for the Corruption Domain.  
Web site   Web site | This online form for reporting fraud can also be used to report foreign bribery.  
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Address  'Vetting Unit'
Serious Fraud Office, Elm House, 10-16 Elm Street
London, WC1X 0BJ
UK  
City of London Police Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit (OACU)  
Description  The OACU encourages reports to be made in English. Information received in other languages will be translated, but the overall process will be slower. The OACU also recommends that a contact point be given. 
You can report  Anonymously   Confidentially   Openly   
Telephone   Post   Fax   Email   Website 
Guidelines Don't
  • Make a malicious report knowing that the report is incorrect.
Email  OACU@cityoflondon.police.uk  
Telephone  + 44 (0) 20 7601 6969 : 24 hour   7 days 
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Fax  +44 (0) 20 7601 6939  
Web site   Web site  
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Address  Det Insp. O.A.C.U.
4th Floor, Economic Crime Department
21 New Street, London, EC2M 4TP
UK  

Data for the UK last updated on 9 February 2009
Information on this page has been validated by the relevant authorities in the UK

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