Apprentice Fraud Investigator

Department for Work and Pensions

Basildon, Bedford, Braintree, Chatham, Colchester, Folkestone, Maidstone, Margate, St. Albans, Stevenage

Closes in 11 days (Tuesday 10 February 2026)

Posted on 28 January 2026

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Summary

Are you curious, enjoy engaging with customers, and want a job where you can work independently within a supportive team? Do you have good judgment skills and seek a route into an exciting counter-fraud career where you can make a real difference? If so, click the apply button now to become our next Counter Fraud, Compliance, and Debt apprentice.

Wage

£32,137 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • £32,137 to £37,016
  • Specified Location Pay Zone - £32,137 – £34,429 (Bedford) 
    Outer London- £35,615 to £37,016 (All other locations)

Training course
Counter fraud investigator (level 4)
Hours
You may be required to work any time between the hours: 7.45am & 8.00pm on any day between Monday - Friday, & 8.45am to 5.00pm on Saturday. Working pattern to be agreed with successful applicants.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 June 2026

Duration

2 years 3 months

Positions available

20

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

As a Fraud Investigator, your work will change based on business needs, so adaptability and flexibility are essential.  

 Key Responsibilities:  

  • Request necessary evidence from designated sources using Authorised Officer powers and the Operational Intelligence Service
  • Collaborate with other departments and organisations like Local Authorities, Police and HMRC within the framework of any existing partnership agreements
  • Research and gather information for investigations, ensuring it meets legal standards
  • Complete Requests for Information (RFIs) as needed
    Record, retain, and review collected materials for criminal investigations for Disclosure purposes
  • Recommend next steps for action to Team Leaders for consideration
  • Conduct Interviews under Caution as per legal guidelines under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (England and Wales) and Common Law (Scotland)
  • Prepare prosecution cases following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and National File Standard guidance (England & Wales) and in line with Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service guidance in (Scotland)
  • Attend court and give evidence in criminal cases and appeal tribunals
  • Maintain quality standards by following DWP policies and procedures, and CFCD operational instructions
  • Work effectively within a team and contribute to team goals
  • Promote fraud awareness within DWP and to external partners.
  • Communicate confidently and professionally with internal staff and external agencies

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • The Basildon Centre, St. Martins Square, Basildon, SS14 1FT
  • Wyvern House 53-55, Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2EH
  • The Old Post Office, Fairfield Road, Braintree, CM7 3HA
  • Crown House 55-59, The Brook, Chatham, ME4 4LQ
  • Crown Buildings, 40 Chapel Street South, Colchester, CO2 7AZ
  • Palting House, Trinity Road, Folkestone, CT20 2HR
  • Maidstone Link, King Street, Maidstone, ME14 1FW
  • Mill Lane House, Mill Lane, Margate, CT9 1LB
  • Beauver House, 6 Bricket Road, St. Albans, AL1 3JU
  • 38 44 The Forum, Stevenage, SG1 1EZ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

INTELLIGENCIA TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Counter fraud investigator (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Apply legislation and associated codes of practice and can determine points to prove in pursuing an investigation. Apply departmental policy.
  • Investigate the points to prove in pursuing an investigation.
  • Identify sources of information e.g. regarding the process of policy and law change.
  • Maintain case files and produce investigation plans to the required standards for criminal, civil, regulatory or disciplinary investigations.Apply the Fraud Investigation Model (Criminal) / or organisational equivalent when responding to allegations of fraud.
  • Differentiate between types of evidence (direct, circumstantial, hearsay etc.) and relate their significance.
  • Utilise forensic opportunities and how to apply them in investigations (where relevant to the type of investigations undertaken).
  • Apply consideration of the principles of RIPA codes of practice.
  • Implement best practice for note taking during the course of an investigation (where relevant to the type of investigations undertaken).Implement best practice for witness statements during the course of an investigation (Relevant to the type of investigations undertaken).
  • Produce records of the investigation activities / enquires during the course of an investigation.Apply the rules and relevant policies relating to the continuity of evidence so the source of evidence can be fully supported.Apply the classification and handling of information in line with the National Intelligence Model and national intelligence methodology (criminal investigation) and appropriate handling principles to source and intelligence material, demonstrating knowledge of potential risks of mishandling.
  • Participate in searches (including consideration of Legal Professional Privilege) of a person, premises, vehicles or workplaces, adhering to policy and legislation of organisation.
  • Assess the strength of evidence and apply the relevant legislation and codes of practice to gather evidence to required standards, subject to role
  • Produce witness statements to the required standard for the investigations e.g. Criminal Investigation Standard.
  • Use analysis techniques on a range of data and make sound and fair investigation decisions in investigation as appropriate.Apply the organisation’s protective marking scheme and source management before disseminating material.
  • Apply the briefing and de-briefing method, disseminating information gathered to the appropriate individuals, groups, or departments as required, for all investigations.
  • Utilise the PEACE model for interviewing, applying conversation management and open recall techniques, complete an overarching investigative interviewing strategy, produce interview plans, summarise and evaluate interviews to the required standard.
  • Undertake an interview appropriate to the investigation being undertaken, introducing testimony and exhibits during interviews as appropriate.
  • Recognise and respond to the varying demands of the witness.
  • Produce and retain accurate investigator notes, narrative statements, 3rd party witness testimonies and transcripts.
  • Produce concise, timely, clear, balanced & accurate reports, briefings, letters, e-mails & other items of correspondence.
  • Prepare files, applications and orders for court to the required standard for the activity undertaken.
  • Present evidence as a witness at appropriate hearings.Refer appropriate cases to other law enforcement agencies.
  • Comply with the provisions of disclosure in legal proceedings.
  • Obtain, record & present evidence in court during proceedings.
  • Produce full and accurate post investigation assessments.
  • Produce an evidence file with material to support court, tribunal or disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the requirements of the relevant legislation, codes of practice or departmental policy.
  • Utilise the correct powers appropriate to the type of investigation.
  • Build and maintain new and existing partner / stakeholder relationships to achieve progress on objectives, key initiatives and shared interests and developing beneficial working relationships.
  • Categorising fraud and provide insight into how the fraud was perpetrated, calculate the losses and costs borne in cases of fraud for use in sanctions and redress outcomes.
  • Apply legislation and associated codes of practice and can determine points to prove in pursuing an investigation. Apply departmental policy.
  • Investigate the points to prove in pursuing an investigation.
  • Identify sources of information e.g. regarding the process of policy and law change.
  • Maintain case files and produce investigation plans to the required standards for criminal, civil, regulatory or disciplinary investigations.Apply the Fraud Investigation Model (Criminal) / or organisational equivalent when responding to allegations of fraud.
  • Differentiate between types of evidence (direct, circumstantial, hearsay etc.) and relate their significance.
  • Utilise forensic opportunities and how to apply them in investigations (where relevant to the type of investigations undertaken).
  • Apply consideration of the principles of RIPA codes of practice.
  • Implement best practice for note taking during the course of an investigation (where relevant to the type of investigations undertaken).Implement best practice for witness statements during the course of an investigation (Relevant to the type of investigations undertaken).
  • Produce records of the investigation activities / enquires during the course of an investigation.Apply the rules and relevant policies relating to the continuity of evidence so the source of evidence can be fully supported.Apply the classification and handling of information in line with the National Intelligence Model and national intelligence methodology (criminal investigation) and appropriate handling principles to source and intelligence material, demonstrating knowledge of potential risks of mishandling.
  • Participate in searches (including consideration of Legal Professional Privilege) of a person, premises, vehicles or workplaces, adhering to policy and legislation of organisation.
  • Assess the strength of evidence and apply the relevant legislation and codes of practice to gather evidence to required standards, subject to role
  • Produce witness statements to the required standard for the investigations e.g. Criminal Investigation Standard.
  • Use analysis techniques on a range of data and make sound and fair investigation decisions in investigation as appropriate.Apply the organisation’s protective marking scheme and source management before disseminating material.
  • Apply the briefing and de-briefing method, disseminating information gathered to the appropriate individuals, groups, or departments as required, for all investigations.
  • Utilise the PEACE model for interviewing, applying conversation management and open recall techniques, complete an overarching investigative interviewing strategy, produce interview plans, summarise and evaluate interviews to the required standard.
  • Undertake an interview appropriate to the investigation being undertaken, introducing testimony and exhibits during interviews as appropriate.
  • Recognise and respond to the varying demands of the witness.
  • Produce and retain accurate investigator notes, narrative statements, 3rd party witness testimonies and transcripts.
  • Produce concise, timely, clear, balanced & accurate reports, briefings, letters, e-mails & other items of correspondence.
  • Prepare files, applications and orders for court to the required standard for the activity undertaken.
  • Present evidence as a witness at appropriate hearings.Refer appropriate cases to other law enforcement agencies.
  • Comply with the provisions of disclosure in legal proceedings.
  • Obtain, record & present evidence in court during proceedings.
  • Produce full and accurate post investigation assessments.
  • Produce an evidence file with material to support court, tribunal or disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the requirements of the relevant legislation, codes of practice or departmental policy.
  • Utilise the correct powers appropriate to the type of investigation.
  • Build and maintain new and existing partner / stakeholder relationships to achieve progress on objectives, key initiatives and shared interests and developing beneficial working relationships.
  • Categorising fraud and provide insight into how the fraud was perpetrated, calculate the losses and costs borne in cases of fraud for use in sanctions and redress outcomes.

Training schedule

  • Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship Level 4
  • Functional Skills in English and maths if required

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Patience
  • Leadership skills
  • Decision making skills
  • Developing self and others
  • Adaptability

About this employer

The Department of Work and Pensions is a major Government Department, handling jobs, training, unemployment benefits and pensions.

Company benefits

Please see full apprenticeship advert on Civil Service jobs. Link below.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • The apprenticeship for the Apprentice Fraud Investigator role is designed to work towards achieving Category C Investigator practitioner level membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP)
  • On achievement of the apprenticeship, you will be required to complete an annual self-assessment to evidence your knowledge, skills, and experience

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

INTELLIGENCIA TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011289.

Apply now

Closes in 11 days (Tuesday 10 February 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.