Bangladesh, Jan. 15 -- British authorities have launched a major investigation into alleged large-scale fraud and bribery linked to Home REIT, a UK-listed social housing investment company, in a case that has intensified scrutiny of the rapidly expanded social housing investment sector. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) confirmed on January 14, that six individuals had been arrested and seven locations searched as part of a criminal probe into the former management of the company. Investigators estimate the suspected wrongdoing to be worth approximately £300 million, equivalent to nearly $404 million.

The coordinated operation involved the SFO working alongside the National Crime Agency (NCA), reflecting the scale and complexity of the...