David Ames of Harlequin Properties denies “cheating” investors in court appearance

Harlequin Properties, a section of which has since entered into insolvency proceedings, is now often regarded as an infamous case of what can go wrong, and the risks presented by unregulated overseas property investments, and today, Nov 7^th, saw chairman David Ames in court facing on fraud charges.

Ames was released on conditional bail following the three counts of fraud by abuse of position being read to him at Westminster Magistrates Court back in March 2017, and has today reappeared in court over his actions between Jan 2010 and June 2015 with Harlequin Properties.

Ames denies fraud

Today at Southwark Crown Court, Ames denied all three counts of Fraud By Abuse Of Position relating to the £260Million Caribbean hotels investment, which has been investigated for the last four years by the Serious Fraud Office.

David Ames’s trial date is now set for 7^th January 2019.

Widespread investment mis-selling

They say that hindsight is 20/20, and for anybody looking in retrospect the risk involved with a Harlequin investment (or any other unregulated overseas property investment) are pretty evident, with no help from the FOS or FSCS for investors.

But one of the big problems with Harlequin was the way it was sold and advised on by some marketing firms and financial advisers, with little emphasis placed on the risks when presenting the investment to people who didn’t know enough to understand the risks, or who could afford to lose the money.

We can manage Harlequin-related investment claims. Our team of solicitors has claimed compensation for clients in similar positions.

Whether you invested in Harlequin as a cash investment or through a SIPP pension scheme, we may be able to help you prove a case of negligence on the part of your financial adviser, in order to put forward your mis-sold pension claim and recover your money!

Just head over to our Harlequin Properties information page to claims your FREE initial assessment.