Post Office Faces Criminal Probe Over Possible Fraud Linked to Horizon Scandal

The Post Office is being investigated by the police for possible fraud offenses linked to the Horizon system scandal.

The Metropolitan police confirmed they are looking into wrongful actions related to prosecutions, including recovered money from sub-postmasters. It is still unclear if the probe targets individual employees or the Post Office as an organization.

Over 700 postmasters were unjustly convicted between 1999 and 2015 due to errors by the Horizon accounting software, which falsely showed financial discrepancies. Postmasters faced repayment demands, resulting in jail, bankruptcy, and in at least four cases, suicide.

So far, £151 million has been compensated, with claims that tens of millions were improperly taken as Post Office profits. The Met is also investigating two former Fujitsu technicians for perjury and obstructing justice. Fujitsu developed the Horizon system.

The investigation began in January 2020, following a referral from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Two individuals have been interviewed but no arrests made.

ITV's drama series 'Mr Bates vs the Post Office' has brought the issue to attention, leading 50 new potential victims to seek legal assistance. The Criminal Cases Review Commission has called for more affected individuals to come forward.