
The non-ministerial government department of the United Kingdom, Serious Fraud Office (SFO), which investigates and prosecutes serious or complex fraud and corruption in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, stated on 14th May 2021, that it has initiated an investigation suspected of fraudulent trading and money laundering linked to companies within the GFG Alliance, led by metal tycoon Sanjeev Gupta.

The investigation mounts pressure on Sanjeev Gupta, the CEO and Chairman of GFG Alliance, who has been struggling to refinance his international business network of aluminium, steel, and energy following the collapse of lending firm Greensill Capital in March 2021.
The SFO said: “The investigation covers the company's financial arrangements with Greensill Capital UK Ltd.”
"The SFO is investigating suspected fraud, fraudulent trading and money laundering concerning the financing and conduct of the business of companies within the Gupta Family Group Alliance (GFG), including its financing arrangements with Greensill Capital UK Ltd,"
"As this is a live investigation, the SFO can provide no further comment," it added.
Over the past few weeks, the GFG Alliance led business was the subject of speculation, as it feared thousands of jobs in Europe majorly in the aluminium and steel sector, following the downfall of Greensill Capital.
The lending firm, Greensill itself is countering separate investigations, comprising the Parliament's Treasury Select Committee which called in former British Prime Minister David Cameron on 13th May 2021 to give evidence related to his role as a part-time adviser to the collapsed financial institution.
The London-based lender, Greensill financed GFG with billions of dollars, many of which were packaged and sold as funds.
However, GFG Alliance said it would cooperate fully with the investigation, while its refinancing plans will remain in progress.
A GFG Alliance spokesperson said: "GFG Alliance notes the UK Serious Fraud Office's (SFO) announcement that it has opened an investigation into GFG Alliance. GFG Alliance will cooperate fully with the investigation,"
"As these matters are the subject of an SFO investigation we cannot make any further comment. GFG Alliance continues to serve its customers around the world and is making progress in the refinancing of its operations which are benefitting from the operational improvements it has made and the very strong steel, aluminium and iron ore markets," the spokesperson said.
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