Global Forestry Investments

The SFO continues a criminal investigation into alleged fraud concerning Global Forestry Investments (GFI).

Case update

In July 2019, the SFO charged Andrew Nathaniel Skeene and Junie Conrad Omari Bowers, both former directors of Global Forestry Investments, with –

• Three counts of conspiracy to defraud contrary to Common Law
• Four counts of using a copy of a false instrument contrary to s.4 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981
• Misconduct in the course of winding up contrary to s.208(1)(d) of the Insolvency Act 1986
• Making a false statement without oath contrary to s.5(c) of the Perjury Act 1911.

The charges relate to alleged frauds concerning Global Forestry Investments between August 2010 and December 2015.

Included as part of the SFO investigation into the dealings of Andrew Skeene and Omari Bowers was another scheme called Global Forex Investments, which operated between 2009 and 2013. After extensive review the SFO decided that there was not a reasonable prospect of conviction on the evidence gathered in relation to Global Forex Investments and this part of the investigation is now closed.

Mr Skeene was arrested at Heathrow Airport on 29 June 2019 and Mr Bowers was arrested at Gatwick Airport on 30 October 2019. Both are currently on bail awaiting trial.

A trial at Southwark Crown Court was set to commence on 19 April 2021. In April 2021, the trial was adjourned to commence on 21 February 2022.  As we prepare for trial, there will be a number of administrative hearings at court. Please see forthcoming court dates on the right hand side of this page.

Global Forestry Investments questionnaire

If you believe you are an investor victim with Global Forestry Investments and have not already completed our questionnaire please do so.

From 26 June to 7 October 2019, the GFI questionnaire experienced technical difficulties, which meant submissions made during that period were not received and processed. We are very sorry this problem occurred and have taken steps to ensure this does not happen again. If you believe you were affected by this and have not been contacted directly by the SFO please resubmit your details.

Please keep safe any paperwork, including letters, emails and financial records you have in relation to this investment.

Compensation Information for investor victims

If your investment was made through an independent financial advisor registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, it may be possible for you to claim compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Please visit the FSCS website for more information.

Global Forestry Investments

The insolvency practitioner tasked with winding up Global Forestry Investments is Stephen Penn of Absolute Recovery Ltd. As an investor with Global Forestry Investments, you may want to contact Absolute Recovery Ltd to ascertain whether investors will be eligible to receive any compensation.

Contact details are –

Website: www.absolute-recovery.co.uk 

Address:

Absolute Recovery Ltd

Unit 2 Railway Court,

Ten Pound Walk,

Doncaster. UK

DN4 5FB,

Telephone: UK 01302 572701

Liquidator contact: Mr. Stephen Penn

Global Forex Investments

The insolvency practitioner tasked with winding up Proximity Ventures Ltd, trading as Global Forex Investments, is Guardian Business Recovery. As an investor with Global Forex Investments, you may want to contact Guardian Business Recovery to ascertain whether investors will be eligible to receive any compensation.

Contact details are –

Website: www.gbr.uk.com

Address:

Guardian Business Recovery

Licensed Insolvency Practitioners

72 Temple Chambers

Temple Avenue

London

EC4Y OHP

Telephone: 020 3096 0750

Liquidator contact: Mr. John Paylor

Support information for investor victims

If you would like some help and support our Information Sheet lists organisations that can offer support to victims of crime and organisations that can offer advice on financial matters.

If you would like more information on being a victim or witness in an SFO case please visit our website page – Information for victims, witnesses and whistleblowers

Please be aware if a company purporting to be the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Europe) SA approaches you, you should refer to the advice on the FCA website. The FCA has released a warning regarding fraudsters using a clone company operating under that name. Please see the FCA website for more details.