High Court Rules in Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund Case against James Hadley and associates. In a recent High Court judgment, Judge Mr. Nicholas Thompsell found that the Cayman-Islands based Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund (TMAF) was involved in an illegal conspiracy to “extract commissions from the investments.” The defendants, who were also behind the 2013 Store […]
Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund Judgement Read More »
Scammers such as James Hadley and Neil Hathaway who try to hide and silence publication of their financial crimes will not succeed.
The Sound of Silence (and Deafening Disgrace) Read More »
Expat financial services jurisdictions are taking civil and criminal action against investment and pension scammers. Meanwhile, Britain is taking no action to protect British people.
Pensions, Investments, Scams and Covid 19 Read More »
Pension Life and Forsters LLP have issued proceedings in respect of the Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund. Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund This Cayman Islands-based fund is being liquidated and it is uncertain whether there will be any recovery for the victims whose pensions were invested in it. Nearly 250 STM Fidecs QROPS members stand to lose
Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund Read More »
As the decade comes to a close, it is clearer than ever that victims of investment fraud need justice. The dirtiest stain on society is that of pension and investment fraud. Scammers have made fortunes out of pension and investment scams in the UK and across the globe – in all leading expat jurisdictions. With
Victims of Investment Fraud need Justice Read More »
Fighting pension scams: Regulation If it was easy to stop pension scams, everyone would be doing it. Clearing up the mess left behind a pension scam is a huge challenge. This is why clear international standards need to be recognised and adopted. The scammers are like flocks of vultures. If people only used regulated firms,
Fighting pension scams: Regulation Read More »
Ten Essential Standards For Pension Advice: The ongoing war against pension scammers continues with no sign that the end is near. The authorities stand idly by – facilitating mis-selling and outright fraud. HMRC happily registers pension scam after scam after scam (followed by tax demands). Prosecutions are few and far between. The only conclusive way to
Ten Essential Standards For Pension Advice Read More »
The recent PSIG (Pension Scams Industry Group) Scams Survey Pilot 2018 has identified seven “key” findings in their survey. As scam watchers, we are well aware of these points and are, of course, glad they have been highlighted. PSIG’s key finding are set out below. So let us admit one key fact: ALL PENSION SCAMS START WITH A
Time for all pension providers to wake up and stop pension scams Read More »
Blacklist – “The Pension Scam (No 69)” By far the best US crime thriller series (IMHO) on Netflix has got to be Blacklist. Utterly mesmerising is the star Raymond Reddington (played by the superb James Spader). Reddington manages to be simultaneously as camp as a row of tents, and macho as the All Blacks. The
Blacklist – “The Pension Scam (No 69)” Read More »
The sophistication of investment scams has reached new levels in Singapore LeeSeongWee I “borrowed” this blog from my Twitter friend in Singapore who clearly understands and cares about investment scams – and the inability of the inept authorities to do anything about them. This is true not just in Singapore but throughout the world –
Sophisticated Scams in Singapore Read More »
In the Pension Life office, we have been wondering how to get the information about pension scams more widely seen, heard and taken on board. We’d like to ensure the masses are educated and aware that pension scammers can strike from many angles, and with a variety of “deals”. Pension scammers must be stopped and
Pension scammers must be stopped Read More »
In many pension scam cases, we find victims telling us that they were not informed about the hidden charges that were applied to their fund. This is why it is essential to warn the public about the hidden dangers of charges that ruin your pension investments. These charges often take a huge chunk out of
Hidden dangers of charges that ruin your pension investments Read More »
BREXIT is the question on everybody’s lips at the moment. BREXIT: will we? won´t we? deal? no deal? So many unanswered questions and so much scaremongering. We would like to offer some helpful words and hopefully protect you from making rash decisions. This could help you to safeguard your pension. Many scammers are trying to cash
Expats and Brexit – Safeguard your pension Read More »
SCAMMER JAILED! Hip hip hooray! we say. What a great start to the new year. Neil Bartlett, 53, of Delamere Road, Ainsdale, used £4.5m of his victims’ money to fund an extravagant lifestyle of foreign travel, top hotels and gambling. Bartlett was handed an eight year sentence for his involvement in the multi-million pound investment fraud
Scammer jailed – hip hip hooray! – scammer jailed Read More »
In follow up to our blog ´Cold calling ban not approved´, we can confirm that as of the 9th January 2019, that companies who cold call with advice on pensions schemes could face fines of up to £500,000. Notice I highlight the word ´could´. If you have read our other blog you will already know that
Fines to be imposed on cold callers, but will it really put a stop the scammers? Read More »
As 2018 draws to a close, a recap is in order to review the year’s progress in the war against pension scammers. Let us not forget – in the immortal words of the Pensions Regulator’s Lesley Titcombe: “scammers are criminals“. However, the sad truth is that most of them have not been prosecuted or jailed.
Scammers are criminals. So why aren’t they in jail? Read More »
Premier New Earth Recycling and Renewables PLC (in liquidation) is being wound up by Deloittes. Joint liquidators Alexander Cameron Adam and David Peter Craine have written to shareholders to say the directors of NERR aren’t being terribly helpful. Apparently, they are refusing to cooperate with the investigation into why the company failed and are insisting
Premier New Earth Recycling (NERR) Investment Scam Read More »
This could possibly be described as wonderful news for the victims of Viceroy Jones New Tech Ltd, Viceroy Jones Overseas PCC Limited, Westcountrytruffles Limited, Truffle Sales Ltd and Credit Free Limited. Or maybe not. The whereabouts of the funds is unknown. This pension liberation and investment scam saw 100 investors conned out of £9m of
High Court finally winds up the truffle saga pension scam Read More »
Having the highest possible regard for lawyers in general, and JMW Solicitors in particular, it is good to report that there is now a dialogue in progress which will hopefully result in Dolphin Trust producing a copy of the audited accounts. An excellent outcome would also be the repayment of the loan notes. JMW Solicitors
Dolphin Trust’s Lawyers JMW Solicitors LLP Read More »
This week Henry Tapper wrote a blog entitled, “The wheels of the law turn (too) slowly”. He exposes the fact that when it comes to financial crime the justice system in place just isn´t enough. I think he was being generous with his title. The wheels of the law don’t just turn slowly – they just don’t
The wheels of the law don´t seem to turn at all Read More »
Unqualified Pension Scammers Banned Articles like New Model Adviser’s report on some of the scammers behind the Capita Oak/Henley/Store First scam getting banned always makes me smile. Knowing that a few pension scammers (four in this case), are being named and shamed – as well as banned from being directors – motivates me to share information
Unqualified pension scammers banned Read More »
STM Group has announced the following trading updates for the first half of this year. STM state that the first half of the year has progressed in line with management´s expectations. They refer to this with particular emphasis on their SIPPS program. For those readers who are unfamiliar with STM’s past investment scams, here is a
STM Group Plc – announces trading update Read More »
One of the hundreds of Continental Wealth Management victims stuck in a useless and expensive SEB Life International bond, and ruined by crippling investment losses, has made a detailed complaint to SEB. Some idiot from SEB called Orla Golden has replied – and the response is astonishing. Below are my answers to this ridiculous rebuttal.
SEB LIFE (OR DEATH) – WILL THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRELAND BRING THEM TO JUSTICE? Read More »
I’ve been very concerned about Dolphin Trust GmbH for some time. There’s an awful lot of pension money being loaned to this company – and I don’t get to hear of many (in fact any) people who have had their loans repaid. That doesn’t mean they haven’t been repaid – it just means I haven’t heard
Trussed by Dolphin Trust? Read More »
International Investment has written a jolly good article about the recent action taken by the UAE Insurance Authority – headed up by His Excellency Ibrahim Al Zaabi. I quote from Gary Robinson’s article: “In a statement on the Arabic version on its website the IA has issued a circular confirming the suspension (of Holborn Assets) for a
UAE REGULATOR DOES A BIT OF REGULATING Read More »
STM Fidecs and the Gibraltar FSC – Evil lives on at the rock I have read the report about what happened to the scammers at STM Fidecs in the wake of the Gibraltar FSC’s investigation and Deloitte’s so-called “expert report”. Frankly, I am stunned. I have members who are victims of the Trafalgar Multi-Asset Fund and
STM Fidecs and the Gibraltar FSC – Evil lives on at the rock Read More »
Looking at International Adviser’s 2017 awards, I really think the judges were having a giraffe (or they were very drunk). “Best regular premium investment product – Hong Kong – Zurich International Life” Seriously? This grim firm has one of the most expensive long-term savings plans on the market. A victim scammed into buying one of
International Adviser – Giraffe Awards Read More »
There are many different types of pension scam – just as there are many types of genuine pension scheme. This can sometimes make it difficult to tell the difference so we are her to help you inform you about, what is a pension scam. Fortunately, there are some common tell-tale signs that mean you could
What is a Pension Scam? Read More »
STM Fidecs has played its “get out of jail free” card, avoided January’s court hearing and agreed to “cooperate” with the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC) – allowing auditors Deloitte to probe STM’s dirty books. I was more than a little miffed because I was looking forward to a nice day out in Gibraltar. I
STM FIDEC’S VARIOUS NEFARIOUS BOOKS Read More »
The Serious Fraud Office has written to Frank Field – Chairman of the Pensions Select Committee. The SFO was responding to Frank’s request for details about pension fraud cases prosecuted by the SFO and about the fraudsters’ various scamming techniques. It is obviously essential to recognise and understand these techniques so that police authorities, regulators,
Pension Scams: Investigations and prosecutions by SFO Read More »
The BSPS dilemma for steelworkers is clearly difficult with very little time to consider options and make a wise decision which will affect them for the rest of their lives. There’s a whole team of willing voluntary professional advisers trying to provide some guidance to help people avoid making the wrong decision. This team includes eminent
BSPS – Pension Dilemma for Steel Workers Read More »
STM Fidecs needed a safe Harbour. And now they’ve got one – but is it really safe? LETTER TO ALAN KENTISH – CEO OF STM FIDECS: Dear Al, hope you are well. I’m not anticipating a response to this because I know how difficult it must be to type emails when you’re wearing handcuffs. However,
STM FIDECS – SAFE HARBOUR FOR ALAN KENTISH Read More »
SCAMS AND SCANDALS SYMPOSIUM – PART OF THE TRANSPARENCY TASK FORCE: WEDNESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER AT THE OFFICES OF IG GROUP, 12.30 TO 5PM Pension and investment scams and scandals are a blight on financial services and saving for retirement. The energetic and inspired campaign by Darren Cooke of Red Circle successfully raised awareness of the
SCAMS AND SCANDALS SYMPOSIUM – TRANSPARENCY TASK FORCE 15.11.17 Read More »
STM Fidecs, the Gibraltar-based trustee firm used for the Trafalgar Multi Asset Scam, is now the subject of large numbers of complaints to the Gibraltar authorities. Hundreds of victims of XXXX XXXX’s unlicensed “advice” transferred safe UK pensions to a Gibraltar STM Fidecs QROPS and then he invested 100% of their funds into his own
STM Fidecs – Trafalgar Multi Asset Scam Read More »
Regulators and scammers; cops and robbers; cowboys and indians. Each has their role: cowboys fire their six shooters and dodge the injuns’ arrows valiantly; cops drive their police cars at breakneck speed to corner the robbers in a dark alley; regulators waggle their flaccid willies and watch the scammers walk all over them. In the
REGULATORS AND SCAMMERS Read More »
SAIL FINANCIAL AND TRAFALGAR MULTI ASSET FUND: What is the connection? Who is behind Sail Financial? And what is the connection to Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund? We know Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund was originally run by XXXX XXXX as “Victory Asset Management” and that XXXX had also been behind the Capita Oak, Henley Retirement Benefits Scheme
SAIL FINANCIAL – ANOTHER SCAM? Read More »
Scammers are loathed by victims, regulators, police, ombudsmen and financial services professionals whose professional reputations are compromised by the nefarious practices of the scam merchants. But however damning the hard evidence is about the scams and the various promoters, introducers, advisers, administrators behind them, the scammers still protest their innocence. Even when there are announcements
WHAT IS WORSE? A SCAMMER OR A SCAMMER’S LAWYER? Read More »
It is rare for me to say nothing. On this occasion, STM Group has stated they are going to stick their heads in the sand and zip their lips. They have facilitated a financial crime…….OK, enough said. For now. I will leave it to STM Group/Fidecs to decide what goes into this blog. They have
STM GROUP: THE TRAFALGAR MULTI ASSET PENSION INVESTMENT SCAM Read More »
The Serious Fraud Office has asked victims of the Capita Oak, Henley, Westminster and Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund scams to make a report so that these crimes can be investigated. But I am urging all victims of ALL scams to also make reports to the SFO, please. This story was first published by
SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE REQUESTS PENSION AND INVESTMENT SCAM REPORTS Read More »
What a wag that Michael Howard was on Saturday. But his timing is brilliant as we do have one little “mess” which needs sorting out urgently, and a bit of a hole – about the size of Howard’s mouth – in regulation and financial crime prevention in Gibraltar: the STM Fidecs/Trafalgar Multi-Asset Fund pension scam.
THE ROT OF GIBRALTAR’S “GOLDEN SA-TURD-AY AWARD” Read More »
My name is Nikki Mitchell. Lets peep behind the scenes at life at Pension Life, fighting pension scams. I’m the newest member of the team. I started in June 2016 – there was a lot to learn in six months. I am PA to Angie, but most importantly I handle a wide variety of
Life at Pension Life Fighting Scams – Behind the Scenes Read More »
Zero Tolerance approach to pension scams It is rare for me to want to copy somebody else’s work, but Dalriada Trustees’ Neil Copeland wrote a very good piece on 20th December 2016 about three “hurricanes” which hit us this year: Altmann, Brexit and Trump. With an astonishing degree of imaginative and creative inspiration, Neil referred
As Easy as A Zero Tolerance approach to pension scams Read More »
Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund – DISASTER. “Gibraltar is a highly regulated and transparent jurisdiction, coupled with the benefits of a Gibraltar-based regulatory regime.” Well, we will see won’t we!! STM is now writing to their distressed members who are invested in the suspended £20 million Trafalgar Multi-Asset fund. STM are stating: “All members who invested
STM FIDECS QROPS and Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund Disaster (Suspended) Read More »
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pension-scams/pensions-scams-consultation So what makes a pension or investment scam? Unfortunately, the scammers don’t wear “I’m a fox” teeshirts, and the victims don’t know the questions to ask and even if they did, they probably wouldn’t understand the answers. Only by looking at individual case studies can the public learn what to look out for –
Government Consultation on Pension and Investment Scams (The Square Mile) Read More »
TRAFALGAR MULTI ASSET FUND (SUSPENDED) After the disasters of failed pension schemes Capita Oak, Henley and Westminster (aggregate of £20 million lost to over 500 victims through investments in Store First store pods – wound up by the Insolvency Service), there are now concerns about the suspended Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund of £20 million. The
Trafalgar Multi Asset Fund Read More »
Pension Life Wish List: make a wish; make a list: make a pension wish list! Pension Life is still dealing with so many victims of scams and scammers. None of the Pension Life wishes published in December 2015 have come true. In the intervening two years, thousands more people have lost part or all of
Pension Life Wish List Read More »
