A joint campaign by the Home Office and organisations including the Law Society which aims to raise professionals’ awareness of the warning signs of money laundering goes live today. 

‘Flag it up’ was developed by the Accountancy Affinity Group, the Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority to help accountants and solicitors spot the ‘red flags’ which could indicate criminal activity.

Mike Penning, minister for policing, crime, criminal justice and victims, said: ‘This new campaign will help to raise awareness and advise those in the legal and accountancy industries how to identify and report suspected criminality that, if not dealt with, can seriously impact their careers and reputations.’

The campaign runs until March 2016. It will publish case studies giving examples of how solicitors have unwittingly become involved in money laundering, a spokesperson said. 

The Home Office said the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 gives law enforcement agencies the powers to recover criminal assets and freeze suspicious funds, while the Serious Crime Act 2015 made it a criminal offence to participate in the activities of an organised crime group.