The allegations are that the companies were involved in a sophisticated conspiracy across the country to undermine the government energy efficiency scheme by submitting claims where little or no work was undertaken. One of the companies involved, Warmfront, was sold in 2024 and is now under new management not connected to the investigation.
It is suspected that energy companies were defrauded of at least 拢44 million in this way. The SFO is seeking information regarding the case.
The National Crime Agency and SFO conducted a major operation across the UK, with four people arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, and homes searched in Cannock, Wolverhampton, Chilworth, and Southwell. Two commercial sites were also searched at Cannock and Killamarsh.
Graham McNulty, director of the Serious Fraud Office, said,听"This scheme was designed to听reduce carbon emissions,听help households cut costs and stay warm听鈥撎齣nstead in听many cases听we suspect听little or听no work was done. We are particularly keen to听hear from installers and assessors who worked on these contracts and know what really happened.听Our door is open, and coming forward is the right thing to do."听
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves said, "This scheme was meant to tackle fuel poverty and improve听people鈥檚听homes. Instead, the Serious Fraud Office is investigating claims 拢44m in public money was paid听to companies听that allegedly did little more than听submit听false invoices for work they听failed to听carry out.听
鈥淚 am sickened by those who want to profit off the back of a scheme designed to help vulnerable people, and I鈥檓 confident the SFO鈥檚 investigation into allegations of substantial fraud will deliver the answers victims and the public deserve.鈥�听
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