Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

341 InvestigationsU.K.

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)For the purposes of this Part a confiscation investigation is an investigation into—

(a)whether a person has benefited from his criminal conduct, F1...

(b)the extent or whereabouts of his benefit from his criminal conduct [F2, or

(c)[F3the available amount in respect of the person or] the extent or whereabouts of realisable property available for satisfying a confiscation order made in respect of him.]

(2)[F4For the purposes of this Part a civil recovery investigation is an investigation for the purpose of identifying recoverable property or associated property and includes investigation into—

(a)whether property is or has been recoverable property or associated property,

(b)who holds or has held property,

(c)what property a person holds or has held, or

(d)the nature, extent or whereabouts of property.]

(3)[F4But an investigation is not a civil recovery investigation to the extent that it relates to—

(a)property in respect of which proceedings for a recovery order have been started,

(b)property to which an interim receiving order applies,

(c)property to which an interim administration order applies, F5...

(d)property detained under section 295 [F6, 303K or 303L].] [F7, or

(e)property held in an account in relation to which an account freezing order made under section 303Z3 has effect.]

[F8(3A)For the purposes of this Part a detained cash investigation is [F9 an investigation for the purposes of Chapter 3 of Part 5 into]—

(a)F10... the derivation of cash detained under [F11that Chapter] or a part of such cash, or

(b)F10... whether cash detained under [F12that Chapter], or a part of such cash, is intended by any person to be used in unlawful conduct.]

[F13(3B)For the purposes of this Part a detained property investigation is an investigation for the purposes of Chapter 3A of Part 5 into—

(a)the derivation of property detained under that Chapter, or a part of such property, or

(b)whether property detained under that Chapter, or a part of such property, is intended by any person to be used in unlawful conduct.

(3C)For the purposes of this Part a frozen funds investigation is an investigation for the purposes of Chapter 3B of Part 5 into—

(a)the derivation of money held in an account in relation to which an account freezing order made under section 303Z3 has effect (a “frozen account”) or of a part of such money, or

(b)whether money held in a frozen account, or a part of such money, is intended by any person to be used in unlawful conduct.]

[F14(3D)For the purposes of this Part a cryptoasset investigation is an investigation for the purposes of Chapter 3C, 3D, 3E or 3F of Part 5 and includes investigation into—

(a)the derivation of cryptoassets detained under Chapter 3C (including where the cryptoassets have been converted into money in accordance with Chapter 3F),

(b)whether cryptoassets or converted cryptoassets detained under Chapter 3C or 3F are intended by any person to be used in unlawful conduct,

(c)the derivation of cryptoassets held in a crypto wallet in relation to which a crypto wallet freezing order made under section 303Z37 has effect (including where the cryptoassets have been converted into money in accordance with Chapter 3F), or

(d)whether cryptoassets held in such a wallet are intended by any person to be used in unlawful conduct.]

(4)For the purposes of this Part a money laundering investigation is an investigation into whether a person has committed a money laundering offence.

[F15(5)For the purposes of this Part an exploitation proceeds investigation is an investigation for the purposes of Part 7 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (criminal memoirs etc) into—

(a)whether a person is a qualifying offender,

(b)whether a person has obtained exploitation proceeds from a relevant offence,

(c)the value of any benefits derived by a person from a relevant offence, or

(d)the available amount in respect of a person.

Paragraphs (a) to (d) are to be construed in accordance with that Part of that Act.]

Textual Amendments

F1Word in s. 341(1) omitted (1.3.2016) by virtue of Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), s. 88(1), Sch. 4 para. 55; S.I. 2016/148, reg. 3(g)

F2S. 341(1)(c) and word inserted (1.3.2016) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 38(1), 88(1); S.I. 2016/148, reg. 3(c)

F3Words in s. 341(1)(c) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force, 28.6.2021 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 33, 58(1)(6); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 3(q); S.I. 2021/724, reg. 2(1)(r)

F4S. 341(2)(3) substituted (1.6.2015 for E.W.S., 1.2.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 19 para. 2; S.I. 2015/964, art. 2(d) (with art. 3); S.I. 2017/4, art. 2 (with art. 3)

F5Word in s. 341(3)(c) omitted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for E.W.S. for specified purposes, 16.4.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force, 28.6.2021 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 39(2)(a); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(3)(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2021/724, reg. 4(i)

F6Words in s. 341(3)(d) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for E.W.S. for specified purposes, 16.4.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force, 28.6.2021 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 39(2)(b); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(3)(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2021/724, reg. 4(i)

F7S. 341(3)(e) and word inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for E.W.S. for specified purposes, 16.4.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force, 28.6.2021 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 39(2)(c); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(3)(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2021/724, reg. 4(i)

F9Words in s. 341(3A) inserted (1.6.2015 for E.W.S., 1.2.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 19 para. 25(a); S.I. 2015/964, art. 2(e); S.I. 2017/4, art. 2

F10Words in s. 341(3A)(a)(b) omitted (1.6.2015 for E.W.S., 1.2.2017 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 19 para. 25(b); S.I. 2015/964, art. 2(e); S.I. 2017/4, art. 2

F11Words in s. 341(3A)(a) substituted (1.6.2015 for E.W.S., 1.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 110; S.I. 2015/983, arts. 2(2)(e), 3(hh); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(j)

F12Words in s. 341(3A)(b) substituted (1.6.2015 for E.W.S., 1.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 110; S.I. 2015/983, arts. 2(2)(e), 3(hh); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(j)

F13S. 341(3B)(3C) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for E.W.S. for specified purposes, 16.4.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force, 28.6.2021 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 39(3); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(3)(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2021/724, reg. 4(i)

F14S. 341(3D) inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 9 para. 8(2)

Commencement Information

I1S. 341 in force at 24.2.2003 by S.I. 2003/120, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (20.2.2003) by S.I. 2003/333, art. 14)