Unlawful use of powers sank a second SFO case and spooked FMA’s Du Val investigators

Does SFO’s unlawful use powers warrant an independent inquiry? Director Karen Chang (centre) insists the agency has taken note of the Court of Appeal findings (Image: Garth Bray/BusinessDesk)

Garth Bray

Tue, 29 Jul 2025

A damning judgment against the Serious Fraud Office for unlawful use of its powers forced the SFO to drop charges against two men accused of attempting to defraud Afghans seeking to flee Kabul as the Taliban retook the city in 2021.“A number of charges against two individuals involved in alleged immigration fraud were withdrawn, and the remaining charges against one defendant were dismissed,” an SFO spokesperson said.By the time this happened, the case had been before the courts for almost two years.Some charges were withdrawn in la...

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