April 22 (Reuters) - Britain's Serious Fraud Office said on Wednesday it was investigating three UK companies over allegations of defrauding energy companies of at least 44 million pounds ($59.49
Four arrested in $60 million UK home insulation fraud probe
Investigation into UK Government Energy Efficiency Scheme Fraud
Arrests and Searches Conducted by Serious Fraud Office
April 22 (Reuters) - Four people have been arrested in Britain and six addresses searched over an alleged 44 million pound-plus ($60 million) fraud involving a government energy efficiency scheme designed to tackle fuel poverty, the Serious Fraud Office said on Wednesday.
Public Appeal and Companies Under Scrutiny
The SFO also launched a public appeal for information about three companies, called Warmfront, JJ Crump and South Coast Insulation Services, which are alleged to have submitted claims with little or no work done between 2022 and 2024.
Statement from SFO Interim Director
"This scheme was designed to reduce carbon emissions, help households cut costs and stay warm – instead in many cases we suspect little or no work was done," said Graham McNulty, the SFO interim director, urging people such as installers to speak up.
"Our door is open and coming forward is the right thing to do," he said.
Status of Companies Involved
Warmfront
Warmfront, based in Cannock, central England, was sold in 2024 and now trades under new management not connected to this investigation, the SFO said.
South Coast Insulation Services
South Coast Insulation is permanently closed, its website shows.
JJ Crump
Sheffield-based JJ Crump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Details of the ECO4 Scheme and Operation Henhouse
Operation Henhouse
The case, part of a UK-wide campaign to tackle fraud codenamed Operation Henhouse, centres on the government's Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
Scheme Overview
Under the Energy Company Obligation, energy suppliers have to help households reduce energy consumption and lower heating costs. Its latest version, ECO4, began in July 2022.
Additional Information
Exchange Rate
($1 = 0.7396 pounds)
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Kirstin Ridley in London and Raechel Thankam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Toby Chopra)
