Home Office targets public officials with plans for ‘illicit enrichment’ offence
The Government is consulting on the creation of an illicit enrichment offence, “for use when a public official has a significant and inexplicable increase in their assets”.
The proposed offence is included in a package of measures in the Government’s latestaction plan for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist finance.
The Home Office said the aim was to make the UK “a more hostile place for those seeking to move, hide or use the proceeds of crime or corruption”.
The proposals subject to consultation also include the creation of a new power to require individuals to declare their sources of wealth, and the creation of a linked power to seek forfeiture of assets if they fail to declare their sources of wealth.
