Supporting a Business Through a Complex Payment Diversion Fraud

A business client approached our firm after being targeted by a convincing impersonation scam linked to its online trading activity. The fraudster obtained sensitive verification documents which were used to divert a substantial payment stream away from the business.

Our litigation team helped the client move from uncertainty and disruption to a clear recovery strategy. This included an early investigation into payment trail and assessed responsibility, helping secure an early commercial resolution with one party, pursuing a disclosure from financial intermediaries to identify where the funds had gone and who was behind the fraud, and preparing court-based steps where voluntary cooperation was not forthcoming.

The work our team completed has helped the client move from uncertainty to having a clear legal strategy which enabled a practical route for tracing funds, identifying relevant parties, and assessing further recovery options.

Key Actions

• Reviewed the fraud background and the supporting communications to understand how the scam operated and how the client’s verification information had been misused.
• Advised on immediate legal options, including potential claims, recovery strategy and the practical steps needed to preserve evidence and move the case forward.
• Helped secure a direct settlement with one organisation involved, narrowing the dispute and allowing the client to focus on tracing the remaining funds through the payment chain.
• Investigated the route taken by the diverted funds and identified further organisations holding information relevant to the fraud and the movement of money.
• Sought disclosure voluntarily first, aiming to obtain account opening records, identity checks, transaction information and related materials without unnecessary court action.
• Prepared for specialist court applications where disclosure was refused, including witness evidence and draft orders designed to compel the release of information needed to identify the wrongdoer.
• Worked strategically to build the evidence needed for tracing, accountability and potential recovery, while keeping the client informed about risk, cost and next steps.

How we can help

If your business has been affected by fraud, payment diversion, or misuse of account verification information, early legal advice can make a real difference. Expert support can help you protect evidence, trace what happened, obtain critical disclosure, and put your business in the strongest possible position while the matter is still unfolding.