On 6 December 2012, Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (the ultimate parent company of the company) announced that it had passed information to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), an independent United Kingdom government department, following a request from the SFO for information about allegations of malpractice in overseas markets. On 23 December 2013, Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (RRHPLC) announced that it had been informed by the SFO that it had commenced a formal investigation. Since the initial announcement, RRHPLC has continued its investigations and is engaging with the SFO and other authorities in the UK, the USA and elsewhere in relation to the matters of concern.