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Relative conned by overseas "land" investors
jimpix12
Posts: 1,095 Forumite
Hi, I don't usually visit this subforum but thought it was the best place to start... Earlier I found out my stepfather had been conned a few months ago into buying worthless land in Devon. The company is registered in Panama according to my research though they state they are in the UK but don't exist with Companies House, the directors are Swiss and live in Switzerland according to posts on the internet.
I don't think any of us hold hope of getting the monies returned but I told my stepfather to report this to the Police and get a crime number etc. He said he did but didn't hear anything back as it's a civil matter... These aren't the same people on this link but they are in Switzerland ripping off UK citizens with landbanking: http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/0/3CF3B5BB815BE10B802573A1005B3CD5?OpenDocument ... and it appears they were banned from being directors in the UK and had to refund victims.
I am therefore wondering if the FSA should be notified or not, since I assume they are powerless outside the UK if the Directors aren't based here but did take some action on the above it seems. Any advice is VERY welcome.
I don't think any of us hold hope of getting the monies returned but I told my stepfather to report this to the Police and get a crime number etc. He said he did but didn't hear anything back as it's a civil matter... These aren't the same people on this link but they are in Switzerland ripping off UK citizens with landbanking: http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/0/3CF3B5BB815BE10B802573A1005B3CD5?OpenDocument ... and it appears they were banned from being directors in the UK and had to refund victims.
I am therefore wondering if the FSA should be notified or not, since I assume they are powerless outside the UK if the Directors aren't based here but did take some action on the above it seems. Any advice is VERY welcome.
"The only man who makes money from a gold rush is the one selling the shovels..."
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Comments
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Your stepfather should report it to Action Fraud. At the minimum, it will alert the authorities to the activities.Living for tomorrow might mean that you survive the day after.
It is always different this time. The only thing that is the same is the outcome.
Portfolios are like personalities - one that is balanced is usually preferable.
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Report it to Action Fraud as advised by AW, they should give you a crime reference number.
Some more information here about Land Banking Schemes on the FSA site, and what to do if you have fallen victim to this scam:
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/Pages/consumerinformation/scamsandswindles/investment_scams/land_banking/index.shtml
Also you can check if the company your stepfather has had dealings with is on the FSA warning list: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Doing/Regulated/Law/Alerts/unauthorised.shtmlNever let the perfume of the premium overpower the odour of the risk0
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