What happens after I make a report (and other FAQs)
Find out more about what happens after you submit an allegation of serious or complex fraud to the Serious Fraud Office.
All information sent to the SFO is assessed by our team to determine whether it should progress to the enquiry stage. They will look at a number of factors, including whether the allegations contained are likely to involve serious or complex fraud that falls within the SFO’s remit.
We take on a limited number of new cases each year, focusing on those that are large, complex and often of national importance. Only a very small number of the reports we receive are matters we can investigate under our legislation.
When deciding whether to take a case, we must look at whether it is serious or complex enough to meet our criteria. This includes:
· if the matter being alleged is criminal
· if it is so complex no other agency could investigate
· the amount of money potentially involved
· the potential impact for New Zealand
The Evaluations Team may contact you for more information, if we have decided not to take the matter further, and to let you know if there is another agency better suited to investigate your matter. Sometimes it may not be appropriate for us to continue communicating with people who have provided information to us.
All personal information that is provided to the SFO is covered by the Privacy Act.
Information submitted through our website is not stored on the website itself. All data is transmitted securely and directly into our case management system, where it is accessible only to authorised members of our team.
No. All complaints are treated in complete confidence during an initial investigation. However, if the matter proceeds to a prosecution, it may be necessary for you to give evidence as a witness. If you have concerns about confidentiality, please contact the SFO.
Yes, you can choose to provide information anonymously. However please note that if you do not provide us with contact information, we will be unable to respond to you and it may make it difficult to progress your report. Please provide as much information as possible. You may be happy for the SFO to have your information but wish to remain anonymous to those you are making a report about. All complaints are treated in complete confidence during an initial investigation. However, if the matter proceeds to a prosecution, it may be necessary for you to give evidence as a witness. If you have concerns about confidentiality, please contact the SFO.
The exception to this is a Protected Disclosure. If you want to make a complaint to the SFO about serious wrongdoing at your place of work, you may come within the protected disclosure regime contained in the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022. Click here to find out more.
You will receive an email from us confirming receipt of your report with information on next steps.
The recovery of losses is generally a civil matter. We only conduct criminal investigations and prosecutions, although there are avenues under the Sentencing Act 2002 for reparation. You would be encouraged to seek advice from an appropriately qualified and experienced legal practitioner to consider your options for civil recovery.
No, anyone is able to make a complaint to the Serious Fraud Office.
We prefer you to report the crime directly because you know the full details of the alleged offence. However, we understand there are certain circumstances, such as distress or personal safety, where reporting the crime yourself can be very difficult. In these circumstances you can report a crime through a trusted friend, family member or professional adviser.
Please submit reports based on information you personally know or hold, written as clearly and accurately as possible. Reports generated or heavily drafted using artificial intelligence tools can be time‑consuming to assess, particularly as they can contain incorrect information. This may delay our response. If you choose to use AI tools to help you prepare your complaint, you must check what has been written is correct and provide suitable evidence to support your complaint.
