The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched criminal proceedings against Guy Flintham on charges of fraud through false statements and unauthorized conduct of regulated activities.。

The FCA alleges that between January 2016 and November 2021, Blackburn, Lancashire-based Flintham defrauded some 240 investors by making false statements and persuading them to invest around £19 million in investment schemes it operated.。

Flintham made a series of fraudulent claims to investors, including how the scheme worked and the profits investors could make through the scheme, and falsified relevant documents.。

In accepting investor funds, Flintham was engaged in a regulated activity of taking deposits, which he was not permitted to engage in。Accordingly, the FCA further charged Flintham, as an unauthorized person, with the offence of engaging in regulated activities without authorization or exemption.。

Flintham appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 22 January 2024 and pleaded not guilty to the offence of engaging in regulated activity without authorization or immunity.。

The case has been referred to Southwark Crown Court for a guilty plea and trial preparation hearing on 19 February 2024.。