Boiler Room Fraud Defence Solicitors

If your company has been accused of running a boiler room fraud scheme, JMW can provide expert legal representation to help you defend against the charges. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in this often-complex area of law and will help you through every stage of the process.

Boiler room fraud is a type of investment scam in which a business cold-calls potential investors and uses high-pressure sales tactics to persuade them to purchase shares. Unsuspecting investors are then given worthless, overpriced, or non-existent shares, often in unlisted or obscure companies, in exchange for a high investment.

Fraud of this nature can be damaging to investors and financial services firms, but accusations of a potential scam can be equally harmful in terms of reputational damage to a business seeking investment. Not all attempts to secure investment are boiler room scams, and organisations that are alleged to have been involved in fraud should seek urgent legal advice from an experienced solicitor.

To speak to the boiler room fraud solicitors at JMW and learn more about how we can defend these charges, get in touch with us today by calling 0345 872 6666. Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form and we will get back to you.

Our Services

JMW provides services to assist in the defence against boiler room fraud in all its forms, regardless of the complexity of the case. Boiler room fraud relates to the selling of shares that are heavily overpriced, worthless or, in very serious cases, completely non-existent. A fraudster will generally cold call an individual and offer the chance to invest in these shares; they will promise high returns that sound too good to be true and usually are. Such schemes are often complex and authorities’ investigations are built on extensive financial evidence which involve multiple jurisdictions. 

We understand that there is sometimes an incredibly fine distinction between an investment scheme that is fraudulent and one that is simply unsuccessful. With this in mind, we can advise you on the right action to take. We know that legitimate professionals and businesses can be unfairly tainted by scrutiny of this type and can unwittingly become involved in such accusations.
Conspiracy to defraud, which essentially means an agreement to defraud someone, is the most common charge for this type of fraud. Importantly, it is the job of the prosecution in such cases to prove dishonesty, and a conviction cannot be made if this cannot be shown. At JMW, our expert solicitors can help you build the best possible defence to help you avoid conviction and other penalties.  We have extensive knowledge of this area of the law and a track record of success in defending boiler room fraud cases.

Meet Our Team

Q

What is a boiler room scam?

A

Boiler room fraud involves scammers posing as brokers or investment advisors and calling financial businesses to advertise an investment opportunity. They may present themselves as working for a reputable or regulated firm and may create brochures, websites, and paperwork to appear legitimate. They may operate a clone firm, which takes the name and contact details of an existing FCA-authorised business and makes subtle changes so that, at a glance, the business looks legitimate. As such, it can be difficult to recognise a boiler room scam from a legitimate investment opportunity.

In such scams, fraudsters attempt to sell shares with promises of huge returns and a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into making investment decisions quickly. They may present worthless shares at inflated prices as a unique opportunity with guaranteed returns, and by creating a sense of urgency, make verifying these claims difficult. They typically demand an upfront payment, and this money is lost.

The phrase "boiler room" refers to the location from which cold calls are made, usually an office building in the UK or based overseas. Other types of fraud, such as advance fee fraud, may be operated from this type of location.

Q

Why might a legitimate business face allegations of boiler room fraud?

A

Sometimes, a legitimate investment scheme fails and investors lose their funds or are left with shares that have no value. This is not the same as pressuring an investor into making a quick decision and buying worthless shares, but some investors may believe they have been subject to a worthless share scam in these cases.

As such, it is vital to mount a defence as soon as any accusation is made. Speak to the business crime solicitors at JMW for advice on the defences that may be available to you, based on your circumstances.

Why Choose JMW?

At JMW, we defend companies from across the UK against enquiries from the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Prudential Regulation Authority and other government and non-government agencies.

To ensure your case gets the bespoke focus it needs, we will put together a team of experts with the combined knowledge to tackle your situation and all its complexities. This team may include:

• Reputation management experts
• Forensic accountants
• Corporate recovery advisors
• Media law advisors

Our business crime team is regarded as one of the best in the North West and we can advise you regardless of the complexity of your case. If your business is accused of running a boiler room scheme, our team can provide invaluable assistance and defence services.