The Oxford Investigation Service (OIS)

The Oxford Investigation Service (OIS) plays a key role in Oxford City Council’s commitment to protecting public funds and delivering value for money. OIS has formed innovative shared service partnerships ensuring resilience in service delivery, as well an enhance catalogue of services available to client partners.

As a multi award-winning service, OIS brings extensive experience in fraud investigations, achieving high-value results in both civil and criminal cases.

Services include:

-Due diligence checks and advice to prevent application fraud

-High revenue-generating data matching services, including Empty Properties/New

Homes Bonus and Council Tax Single Person Discount reviews

- Risk analysis services (regularly scheduled or one-off)

- Anti-money laundering advice and assistance (e.g., Right to Buy, Right to Acquire) -- PACE and informal interviews

- Individual and joint visits during and outside of working hours

- Joint working with other agencies

- Covert surveillance

- Intelligence gathering and witness statement provision

- Court file preparation to prosecution standard

- Professionally prepared reports and feedback on systems/process improvements

- Fraud awareness and money laundering training

- Service of legal notices and specialised legal advice

- Obtaining Unlawful Profit Orders

- Social housing tenancy reviews

The OIS uses advanced data-matching software to identify fraud, and accredited Financial Investigation Officers apply the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover assets.

Tackling social housing fraud is a priority, and the team has a strong record of returning properties to stock and preventing fraudulent applications.

Why Choose OIS?

- An experienced, multi-award-winning team

- Innovative fraud detection and prevention

- National recognition and strong relationships with government agencies

- Innovative partnerships and collaborations

- National coverage

In 2022–2023, OIS generated £616,700 in revenue and prevented £4,031,000 in fraud losses. Since 2015, the partnership has secured over £79 million in financial outcomes.