Government proposes to give more powers to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO)
SFIO – The Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs Shri R.P.N. Singh today informed the Lok Sabha that keeping in view the recommendations made by Vepa Kamesam committee, it is proposed to give statutory recognition to SFIO. Besides, powers such as treating its investigation report as a report filed by a Police Officer, giving SFIO power to issue letter of requests (letter Rogatory) in cases involving companies having business/interests outside the country and definition of the term ‘fraud’ alongwith its punishment are also proposed to be included, subject to due approvals, in the revised Companies Bill for strengthening its enforcement framework.
The Ministry has been organizing Investor awareness workshops and seminars in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI) and Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and trade chambers throughout the country to bring awareness amongst the general public for assisting in taking appropriate investment decisions. It has also been taking up print media campaigns and issue of advertisements in leading national and regional vernacular newspapers in form of advisory to the potential investors to be careful before making any deposit/investment in collective schemes of any entity either through online or offline.
The Minister was replying to a written question whether the Government proposes to give more powers to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and crate public awareness about companies with get rich quick schemes and the steps taken by the Government to bring an awareness among general public about online or offline fraudulent methods adopted by unregistered companies which defraud innocent by making tall claims?
CONTRARY TO THE IMPRESSION GIVEN, IN RECENT YEARS, PERPETRATION AND PERPETUATION OF ‘FRAUDS’, VERGING ON CRIMINALITY, HAVE COME TO LIGHT IN A BIG WAY, NOT ONLY IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, BUT IN OTHER SECTORS AS WELL; E.G.NOTABLY, THE REALTY SECTOR.
THIS CALLS FOR AN EARNEST BUT PROMPT ATTENTION TO TAKE ON THIS MENACE, BY SCRUPULOUSLY IMPLEMENTING AND ENFORCING THE GOVERNING LAWS AND REGULATIONS, ALREADY IN PLACE, WITH A VIEW TO SAVING THE GULLIBLE PUBLIC FROM THE WOES METED OUT TO THEM AND CONTINUING FOR SO LONG. THAT SHOULD CERTAINLY BE POSSIBLE WITH THE ACTIVE AND SINCERE COOPERATION OF INTER ALIA THE CONCERNED REGULATORY AUTHORITIES HAVING AN INDIVIDUAL BUT EXCLUSIVE ROLE TO PLAY IN RELATION TO THE SAID SECTOR.
FOR KNOWING MORE, IT IS WORTHWHILE FOR ANYONE INTERESTED TO CARE TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE WHOLE LOT OF INFORMATION AND CLUES DISSEMINATED THROUGH WRITE-UPS, POSTS, ETC. IN PUBLIC DOMAIN, BY A SELECTIVE TOPICAL SEARCH @GOOGLE.