PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Wonga (1 July 2014)

To ask the Attorney General, whether the Crown Prosecution Service has been contacted for investigative advice by any police force in England and Wales with regard to the possible criminal liability following the findings by the Financial Conduct Authority that Wonga has been threatening debtors with letters from fake law firms.

Asked by:
Emily Thornberry (Labour)

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has not yet been approached for investigative advice, by any police force, in respect of possible criminal matters arising from the Financial Conduct Authority investigation of Wonga.

Following the announcement that Wonga would pay £2.6 million in compensation, after sending letters from non-existent law firms to customers in arrears, the CPS Deputy Head of the Specialist Fraud Division contacted the City of London Police, on the 26 June 2014, to enquire whether this matter was being criminally investigated.

City of London Police are the national police lead for serious fraud investigations. They are currently assessing whether the case merits a criminal investigation and have confirmed that they will refer any request for advice to the CPS Specialist Fraud Division.

Answered by:
Mr Dominic Grieve (Independent)
7 July 2014