Intl. Fraud Awareness Week: How we work with other countries
At the Serious Fraud Office we’re marking International Fraud Awareness Week by celebrating staff who lead our international efforts.
Image of Louise Van Der Straeten
Louise van der Straeten OBE, Senior Lawyer in the International Assistance Team, shares what she does and the importance of engaging with international partners to tackle fraud and major economic crime.
Tell us a little about your role
I’m a senior lawyer leading a small team of lawyers and investigators who assist overseas authorities obtain evidence for their domestic investigations and prosecutions.
My team also works closely with our colleagues in the Proceeds of Crime Team here at the SFO to recover the profits of criminal activity or unlawful conduct. This might be millions made through scamming vulnerable individuals out of their pensions or profits made through bribery or corporate corruption.
Another key part of our role is assisting colleagues in the SFO with various international aspects of their cases as well as contributing to cross-Whitehall work around mutual legal assistance and international asset recovery.
How do you engage with international partners?
Transparently and without making assumptions.
It’s important to ensure we remain focused on how we can collaborate to achieve our common goals rather than getting bogged down in the differences between our respective legal systems and norms.
Why is international engagement important – particularly for the SFO?
Effective international co-operation is key to obtaining justice for the victims of crime. Whether that is individual victims in an investment fraud case or society losing public funds through frauds against public services or due to corruption.
It’s important that the SFO plays its part internationally, not only to progress its own cases and prosecute criminals here in the UK but also to secure justice internationally and assist our partners. By collaborating with international partners, we can play a small part in strengthening justice and the rule of law around the world.
What is your background and what drew you to the SFO?
I started my working life in a finance and accountancy role but after a decade in the sector was keen for a change. Law, particularly criminal law, has always interested me so I took a leap into the unknown and took a conversion course, the Bar vocational course and was then fortunate enough to secure a pupillage and tenancy. After some years in the civil service a number of close colleagues moved to the SFO and, after some consideration, I successfully applied and followed suit.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The best part of my job is the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from fantastic colleagues within and outside the SFO. I never stop being impressed by the professionalism and dedication my colleagues show, even when handling difficult ongoing issues in sometimes very challenging and hostile environments. There’s also the fact we’re achieving something positive by helping victims and preventing further crimes being committed by malicious or just plain greedy individuals who don’t think twice about the misery they cause.
What is your best advice for those pursuing a career in law enforcement?
Throughout your career, it’s important to remain curious and open to new challenges and ways of working. You never know where different paths might lead!