Power Struggle

There is a far more sinister aspect of the requirement to make reports to the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) than the regulatory burden. What is happening is that thousands of people are giving personal financial information to professionals from whom they hope they will be receiving helpful advice.


The reality is that these same professionals are acting as unpaid undercover agents of the state prosecution service. They will telephone NCIS at the slightest whiff of suspicion without the need for any proper investigation. It would be interesting to know what percentage of reports eventually lead to prosecutions and/or the recovery of monies.


Somewhat surprisingly, our continental neighbours with more recent experience of undemocratic regimes seem to be taking a far more relaxed view. One wonders if England, contrary to popular belief, would be an easy target for any ruling power wishing to set up an East German Stasi-type system.


Apparently, they would even be able to do it without any burden falling on the taxpayer apart from central administration costs.



Martin Lee, Eaton Ryan & Taylor, Birmingham