Been scammed? Worried? Complain to the Insolvency Service

On today's BBC Money Box programme, in a follow-up item on wine investment featuring Ian Vanderhook and Vin Bordelais Ltd, the phoenix company of collapsed firm – Bordeaux UK Ltd, Robert Burns head of investigations at The Insolvency Service said he will welcome complaints from people concerned about wine investment companies. The Insolvency Service has the power to close dubious companies in the public interest. They guarantee to investigate complaints within seven days.

If the Insolvency Service believes there are grounds for action, they can petition the High Court to close the company in the public interest. If the petition is accepted, the company can be closed immediately with the petition heard in open court later giving the company an opportunity to fight the petition.

Details here of how to complain about a company to The Insolvency Service.

Concerned about your wine investment? Offer of assistance by Grant Thornton UK

Where's my Margaux? Where's my Lafite? Where's my Latour? 

Cellars of Château Margaux

Following the BBC's Money Box item on wine investment last Saturday, plus Paul Lewis's appearance that day on BBC Breakfast, the spotlight is firmly on wine investment scams. In February I posted details of a scheme run by Grant Thornton who may be able to assist you if you feel that you have been ripped off. For example if you discover that the bonded warehouse, where you thought your precious wine investment was safely, has either no record of the company you dealt with company or no record of you. 

Here is the post with details of Grant Thornton's UK LLP FinD team. 

If there are another companies that offer a similar service to Grant Thornton, I will be happy to post details here. 

There will be more on wine investment on BBC Money Box on Saturday starting at noon.    

Nouveau World Wines: Five charged with fraud and money laundering

Five people have been charged with conspiracy to defraud and money laundering in connection with Nouveau World Wines that offered Australian wines as an investment, which allegedly did not exist. They have also been charged in relation to Finbow Fine Wines Ltd who allegedly promised quick profits in the Asia-Pacific drinks market. 

The five are: Kelly Humphries, 30, of Wallington, Surrey, Simon Robert Dempsey, 42, of Sidcup, Kent, Daniel Thomas Snelling, 36, of Sutton, Surrey, Dina Snelling, 34, of Chislehurst, Kent, and Rebecca McDonald, 42, of Bexleyheath, south-east London.

The initial arrests were made in March 2010 in connection with a police investigation into Nouveau World Wines and Finbow Fine Wines Ltd.

The five accused will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 11.