To report abuse of power of attorney?

[MaryBerrysFannyHammock]

Name changed for this as its potentially outing.

I have a friend "B" who has lasting power of attorney for his MIL.

MIL has had to go into a care home due to worsening dementia. B has asked me if they would "get away with" using MIL money to redo their bathroom "because it's going to be spouses money eventually anyway"

I have been very clear this would be abuse of the trust put into B on setting up LPOA and that they are out of order. I also think could be inheritance tax fraud in some way.

They are going ahead anyway.

AIBU to report considering they are likely to know it was me and would distroy friendship on a big bang way? (I think I want to pull back now I know who they are morally anyway but it would be easier to do that quietly)

And who do you report it to, hmrc? The police?

I would imagine you’d need to contact the office of the public guardian.

“it's going to be spouses money eventually anyway"

That rather depends on how long the MIL is in the care home - you can absolutely run away with money, and some people carry in for years. It’s absolutely outrageous of the person with POA to be using money with which he was entrusted for his own benefit like this - I would unhesitatingly report it. You can report it to the Office of the Public Guardian - there is a form to fill in on the gov.uk page here https://www.gov.uk/report-concern-about-attorney-deputy-guardian#:~:text=Contact%20the%20Office%20of%20the,by%20the%20Court%20of%20Protection

I see where you’re coming from, OP, but as it’s a friend and not your family I would, having told them this is not on, leave it at that.

Maybe they’ll get away with it, maybe not, but as you’re not related to them or their MIL, it’s really not any of your business.

Yep, OPG.

I think abusing a POA and appropriating money which should be used for care is a safeguarding issue and safeguarding is everyone's business.

I'd report it to the OPG.

@ilovesooty your response startled me, so I looked it up (safeguarding) and educated myself - thank you.
OP, having looked up safeguarding as suggested, I think you do really have to report it - if they are going ahead anyway after you have made your views known, then there’s no point arguing with them, and you’re going to fall out over it anyway…

It's financial abuse/fraud and absolutely not on. I would report.

Please do. I found out too late (post death) and the CPS refused to prosecute the theft of nearly £100k.

Thanks for that lovely response - much appreciated.