Matthew David Ames disqualified from being a company director for 13 years – Harlequin founder’s son

Carbon Credits Scam

Name: MATTHEW DAVID AMES
Name: The Investor Club Limited
Date Order Starts: 07/08/2013
Disqualification Length: 13 Years 0 Month(s)
CRO Number: 06674458

Conduct: Between 15 December 2008 and 2 March 2011 Mr Ames caused The Investor Club Limited (“TIC”) to trade with a want of commercial probity and/or to the detriment of its investors in that: •TIC offered investments in either carbon credit trading or an investment in Teak Tree Saplings and between 26 February 2009 and 2 March 2011 customers paid monies totalling at least £1,166,100 either directly to TIC or to TIC via agents. •No funds were invested onwards by TIC. •TIC paid £205,107 for travel expenses, £273,666 for business expenses and £151,000 was paid to him.

It’s called a Ponzi Scheme…

“£233,536 has been paid to investors by way of commission payments however of the £1,745,260 received into the bank accounts, £1,166,100 was received from investors, and no income was received from any investments.”

TIC’s statement of affairs completed by him for the liquidators disclosed liabilities to investors of £846,494. Forestry For Life Limited Between 16 March 2010 and 2 March 2011 he caused Forestry For Life Limited (“FFL”) to trade with a want of commercial probity and/or to the detriment of its investors in that: FFL offered investments in carbon credit trading on the basis that there would be a 12% annual return on monies invested over the first three years.

Between 16 March 2010 and 2 March 2011 customers paid at least £436,021 either directly to FFL or to FFL via agents. ? No funds were invested onwards by FFL. ? Investors’ funds were used to facilitate set up and running costs of FFL including £133,247 for consultants. ? £300,100 of investors’ money was transferred to a connected company. ? FFL’s statement of affairs completed by him for the liquidators disclosed liabilities to investors of £443,327.

Source: UK Government Insolvency Service