BondsMar 18 2019

Four arrested as part of mini-bond provider probe

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Four arrested as part of mini-bond provider probe

Four individuals associated with collapsed mini-bond provider London Capital & Finance PLC are being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office. 

In a statement released this morning (March 18) the SFO confirmed the four individuals had been arrested in the Kent and Sussex areas earlier this month and have been released pending further investigation. 

The investigation was opened following a referral from the Financial Conduct Authority to the National Economic Crime Centre, and the SFO said it had been working in conjunction with the regulator since. 

The National Crime Agency, City of London Police, Kent Police, Sussex Police and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit have also been involved in the operation. 

The SFO has asked members of the public who invested in London Capital & Finance's schemes over the period 2016 to 2018 to contact the department via a secure reporting form on its website. 

London Capital & Finance entered into administration at the end of January, putting the funds of more than 14,000 bondholders at risk.

Shortly before the collapse the Financial Conduct Authority ordered London Capital & Finance to stop marketing its fixed-rate investment bonds and Isa products and the provider had its assets frozen by the regulator.

The FCA alleged the Tunbridge Wells-based firm had signed clients up to fixed-rate Isas promising 8 per cent interest, with investors' capital then invested into mini-bonds used to issue loans to small businesses.

There were concerns the 14,000 clients of the firm may not have fully understood the nature of the investment they were making due to unclear marketing material.

As unregulated investments, London Capital & Finance did not need to be authorised by the FCA to issue the mini-bonds but it did need to be authorised to issue the promotion of the mini-bonds

Earlier this month the Financial Services Compensation Scheme confirmed it would not be accepting claims against the insolvent company because mini-bonds are unregulated investments and therefore not protected by the compensation scheme.

However, the scheme advised if it became aware of circumstances that "give rise to potentially valid claims" it would begin to accept applications against London Capital & Finance.

At the end of January Finbarr O’Connell, Adam Stephens, Colin Hardman and Henry Shinners of Smith & Williamson LLP were appointed as joint administrators of London Capital & Finance, with a dedicated helpline and email address set up for affected parties.

rachel.addison@ft.com