About SFO
What is the Serious Fraud Office?
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is responsible for investigating cases of serious fraud and complex financial crimes. The SFO provides an integrated approach where police and prosecutorial services work jointly in combating the significant challenge of serious fraud in Ontario by:
- Protecting the citizens of Ontario.
- Limiting losses suffered by victims.
- Recovering assets fraudulently acquired.
Our Serious Fraud Teams
The SFO uses a collaborative model made up of three units: investigation, prosecution and support services. Our investigation team and our prosecution team work together on cases from the very beginning of the investigation until the end of the prosecution.
Investigation: Our investigative team consists of OPP officers and civilians as well as investigators from other police services within Ontario.
Prosecution: Our prosecution team consists of dedicated and specialized Crown Attorneys from the Ministry of Attorney General.
Adjunct and Support Services: Our support services team supports the SFO in areas such as training and education, victim support services, crime prevention and analytics.
What Does the SFO Investigate?
The SFO accepts case referrals from the Ontario Provincial Police as well as police services across Ontario. The SFO does not accept direct referrals from individuals or businesses.
If you are a victim of fraud, you should report the fraud to your local police. Learn about reporting fraud.
The SFO only accepts serious fraud and complex financial crime cases. The criteria of cases accepted by the SFO rely on a balance of various factors including impact, scale, complexity and public interest. Serious fraud cases are not limited to fraud offences but can involve other types of offences such as theft, corruption, money laundering or cybercrime.
Our Partners
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provides essential services that ensure the safety and security of the people of the Province of Ontario.
Learn more about the OPP
The Ministry of the Solicitor General is committed to ensuring that Ontario’s communities are supported and protected by law enforcement and public safety systems that are safe, secure, effective, efficient and accountable.
Learn more about SOLGEN
The Ministry of the Attorney General is responsible for providing a fair and accessible justice system that reflects the needs of the diverse communities it serves across the government and the province. It strives to manage the justice system in an equitable, affordable and accessible way throughout the province.
Learn more about MAGJoint Partner Police Services
The SFO works in partnership with police services within Ontario and across Canada.