Nouveau World Wines and Finbow Fine Wines: trial date

The trial of the defendants in the Nouveau World Wine and Finbow Fine Wine case has been set to start on 7th May 2013. The trial is expected to last 8-10 weeks. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to all counts. 

Nouveau World Wines Ltd and Finbow Fine Wines Ltd: trial date set

Following the hearing on Friday 27th July at Southwark Crown Court a provisional date for the start of the trial involving the five accused regarding alleged offences with regard to Nouveau World Wines Ltd and Finbow Fine Wines has been fixed for 7th May 2013. From previous experience of similar trials I would expect this trial to last six weeks at a minimum and probably longer. 

The five defendants are Simon Dempsey, Kelly Humphreys, Rebecca McDonald, Daniel Snelling and Dina Snelling.

Nouveau World Wines + Finbow Fine Wines: 27th July@Southwark Crown Court

There will be a plea and case mangement hearing at Southwark Crown Court tomorrow morning of the case involving Simon Dempsey, Kelly Humphreys, Rebecca McDonald, Daniel Snelling and Dina Snelling.

The court starts sitting at 10 am before His Honour Judge Beddoe in Court 8. Details here – scroll down to Court 8. 

It is believed that it may still be six to nine months before the trial of the five defendants starts. 

Nouveau World Wines + Finbow Fine Wines: update on pending trial

 As a result of the hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday 11th May concerning the directors / staff charged in respect of Finbow and Nouveau World Wine, the case has progressed and the next (preliminary) hearing has been scheduled for 13/07/12 at Southwark Crown Court. It is customary for the initial hearing to be held at a magistrates court with serious cases being transferred to a convenient crown court for trial. Due to the nature of the charges the actual trial is understandably still some way off. 

Southwark Crown Court is by the Thames and is a short walk from London Bridge. 

Finbow Wines: SIFMA warning

I understand that Michael Adams and Frank Benson are continuing to contact previous clients of Finbow Wines and offering them deals to assist them recover money invested in Finbow. Apparently one elderly Finbow investor has been stung for a further £15,000 by people claiming to act for SIFMA.  It is clear that Adams, Benson etc. have full details of Finbow's clients. I understand that SIFMA (The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) are not involved in any way. 

If contacted by Michael Adams, Frank Benson or anyone else purporting to represent SIFMA do not agree to their proposals, which are likely to involve further payments to recover Finbow monies. Instead report full details to both your local police, informing them that Finbow Wines is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police and also to file a report on Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.org.uk). 

 

Finbow/Nouveau World Wines: police warning

Today I have received another message (see below) from DC Carl Hughes, who is one of the members of the fraud squad investigating Finbow/Nouveau World Wine.


'You recently contacted me concerning a Frank Benson who had contacted a victim of the Finbow/Nouveau Fraud stating he was working with SIFMA alongside us, the Fraud Squad in investigating this scam. Today, I had cause to contact another victim in this matter to be told they had the same contact (Benson) and also from a Michael Adams. Adams claimed to the victim that he had managed to arrange a refund of £50k towards her investment loss. When the victim stated they were interested, they were asked to send £55k as some kind of surety to release this money. Fortunately the victim saw it for the scam it was.

Please can you make you readers aware of what is going on here. The Police are not working with any outside agency in relation to this and have not and will not pass details of the victims to anyone. I would hate anyone to become further victims in this matter.'

Carl Hughes has described a typical 'white knight' scam where a con-artist attempts to extort more money from the victim in the pretense of helping to recover some or all of their money.

If you are contacted by someone saying they to belong to SIFMA or any other organisation and claiming that they are working with the police on this case, please report the details to DC Carl Hughes.    

Finbow and SIFMA?

On Tuesday I received the following message: 

'Hi Jim,  my name is ZX I have been one of the many people duped into investing  in Finbow wines. I have been contacted by a guy called Frank Benson who says he is working for sifma, a government organisation working on the Finbow case. Have you heard of these guys, do you know if they are  legitimate?'

 SIFMA is not a government organisation but stands for 'The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association - SIFMA'. This organisation is based largely in the US with offices in London and Hong Kong. It would seem very unlikely that SIFMA know anything about this claim apparently made by 'Frank Benson'. Certainly the officers working on Operation Iceman know nothing of this Mr Benson and say SIFMA has no involvement in their investigation.

I would be interested to know if anyone else has been contacted by 'Frank Benson' or someone purporting to be working for SIFMA.

Two more arrests in investment fraud investigation

Press release from Metropolitan Police (London) Latest from New Scotland Yard at 14.36 on Friday 9th April

'A further two people have been arrested in connection with an alleged £3million wine investment fraud.

Officers from the MPS Fraud Squad carried out raids at two business premises in east London last month, 4 March, and arrested six people on suspicion of money laundering.

Since then, a [G] 40-year old woman attended a central London police station on the 16 March and a [H] 53-year-old man attended a central London police station on the 29 March. Both were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and have been bailed to return in October.

The eight arrests, part of Operation Iceman, followed searches at two business premises and a number of residential addresses in the Docklands area and in Sidcup and Bexley.

Police believe that victims of the alleged fraud were persuaded to invest large amounts of money in specialist wines from Australia that did not actually exist. Those targeted were told that Australian wines can be 'laid down' and increase in value with age and that this scheme was a solid investment to put their savings into.

The six arrested on the 4 March were: Two women aged [A] 28 and [B] 32 and four men aged [C] 40, [D] 65, [E] 30 and [F] 34. They were arrested on suspicion of money laundering offences, and were taken to an east London police station.

They were later bailed to return pending further inquiries. They are next due in October.

The investigation remains active and inquiries continue.

Detective Chief Inspector Robin Cross, head of the Fraud Squad, said: "This kind of investment fraud is becoming far too common. People from all economic backgrounds are being targeted and persuaded to invest in what appears to be a sound financial opportunity.

"We would advise those considering investing money, whether it be a small or large amount, to do their research and be sure that the companies or individuals they are dealing with are reputable and legitimate."

For further advice please visit the MPS Fraud Alert website at: http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/'

investdrinks understands that this investigation is also looking at Finbow Fine Wines Ltd and up to 20 drinks investment companies.

Update on Finbow Fine Wines and a contact email

The Metropolitan police are investigating Finbow Fine Wines Ltd. I understand that Paul Rees has had a meeting with officers involved in the investigation. It is hoped that at least some the investors' money will be recovered from Finbow's bank accounts.

Clients of Finbow Fine Wines Ltd can contact Paul Rees on finbowwines@aol.com

Finbow Fine Wines Ltd: a further update 25th March 2010

 I understand that Paul Rees, director of Finbow, has a meeting with the police investigating Finbow and Nouveau World Wines Ltd on Monday. There would appear to be some hope that money that people paid into Finbow can be recovered. That may be clearer after Monday’s meeting.

Paul Rees remains convinced that Finbow has a viable business model. On the face of it, however, I have severe doubts. 

In view of the police investigation it is probably wise not to give further details, although this may be possible after Monday. 

Finbow Fine Wines Ltd – update 24th March 2010

I have received a number of messages over the last couple of days about Finbow. I have just spoken to Paul Rees, the company's director, and I will be posting an update on the situation regarding Finbow as soon as possible. In the meantime I'm assured by Paul Rees that he is answering the Finbow, although at times it may be necessary to send a text message.