UK collection society PPL is under police investigation for suspected embezzlement following the discovery of suspicious activity on multiple member accounts. One staff member has been dismissed following an internal investigation conducted earlier this year.

The suspected fraud scheme involved individuals posing as unregistered recording artists to fraudulently claim royalties. The scam was uncovered when legitimate artists attempted to register as PPL members. Industry sources suggest the fraud may have occurred between 2016-2023, with fraudulent transactions estimated at £500,000 ($625,000).

PPL, the second-largest collecting society in the UK, has operated for 90 years, managing recorded music licenses for labels and artists. The organization works with broadcasters, venues, and maintains over 110 international agreements with organizations like SoundExchange and AARC.

Despite the investigation, PPL reported strong financial performance, collecting £285 million ($356 million) in 2023—their highest annual total. However, recent quarterly distributions showed a slight decline to £45.3 million ($57.5 million) compared to the previous year.

The Metropolitan Police is currently investigating the case, and PPL has declined to comment during the ongoing criminal investigation. The organization has stated they are working directly with affected members to rectify their accounts.

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