The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Leicester-based Aid for the Needy & Oppressed (ANO) over concerns about the charity’s financial controls after it was found to have used cash couriers to handle funds, which is counter to current advice
The charity, which was registered in 2013, has objects to provide relief of poverty, in particular countries affected by disasters and war, through financial support, goods and services. Its reported income in 2015 and 2016 was around £70,000.
In December 2016, one of its trustees was stopped by UK ports officers where cash totalling £19,300 belonging to the charity was seized. These funds are subject to a cash detention order and are at risk of loss in the event of a successful forfeiture application. The trustee submitted a serious incident report (RSI) to the Commission regarding the incident in January 2017.
The Commission’s analysis of bank statements and other information has identified a number of regulatory concerns which it says warrant further investigation.
The investigation will consider the financial controls and management of the charity and whether its funds have been properly expended solely for exclusively charitable purposes and can be accounted for, as well as the administration, governance and management of the charity by the trustees.
Earlier this year the Commission issued an alert to charities strongly advising against the use of cash couriers.
Details of the findings of the inquiry will be published once the investigation is complete.
