Fraud alerts
The tactics currently being used against investors, how to recognise them, and the latest official enforcement action against fraudulent firms.
MetaAshes alerts
Fraudsters are impersonating genuine FCA-authorised firms to sell fixed-rate bonds, ISAs and savings accounts that do not exist, using the real firm's name and reference number.
Investors are being recruited into WhatsApp and Telegram groups run by people posing as wealth managers, then directed to trading platforms that display profits which do not exist.
People who have already lost money are being contacted by fraudsters posing as solicitors, law enforcement, regulators or recovery specialists who promise to recover the funds for an upfront fee.
Official enforcement updates
Recent announcements from UK enforcement bodies about investment schemes that have been shut down, investigated or prosecuted. Updated automatically from GOV.UK.
The Financial Conduct Authority publishes its own list of unauthorised firms and clones.
Search the FCA Warning ListFormer directors sentenced for defrauding 3,000 people.
Company wound up following Insolvency Service investigations
Insolvency Service takes action to shut down unauthorised crypto investment firm
Director disqualified until 2031
Investigators uncover additional funds relating to £8.2m investment fraud.
Michael Thomson jailed after restrained asset breaches.
On 27 September 2018, a winding-up order was made against Essex and London Properties Limited (Company number 05426323) and the court appointed the Official Receiver as Liquidator.
Husband-and-wife banned as company directors for combined 23 years
Three former directors of Ethical Forestry Limited plead guilty following a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into a £70 million investment scheme fraud.
Former Axiom Legal Financing Fund manager ordered to repay millions to investors.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) launches first major cryptocurrency investigation into suspected fraud.
On 2 July 2025, a winding-up order was made against Social Housing Holdings Limited (company number 12634526) and the court appointed the Official Receiver as Liquidator.
Store First Limited and three related companies were wound up in the High Court on 30 April.
The SFO has today secured the conviction of former investment manager David Kennedy for his part in a £100 million investment fraud.
Announcements are reproduced as published on GOV.UK and link to the original source. Names appear as published by the relevant authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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