The world of finance is riddled with tales of deceit, swindling, and the exploitation of trust. One such story that has come to light recently involves disqualified director, Kenneth James Campbell, a 52-year-old from Glasgow, who orchestrated a sophisticated investment scam that left many innocent investors in financial ruin. Reassuringly, there are occasionally consequences for white collar crime (albeit arguably not harsh enough). The Court of Session in Edinburgh banned Campbell from being a company director for 14 years in August 2023 after revealing that he had swindled £2.8 million from individuals who believed they were investing in an oil and gas venture in Texas, USA.
Campbell was the sole director of HGEC Capital Ltd, a company founded with the promise of investing in petroleum and natural gas extraction. HGEC Capital Ltd came into existence in March 2018 but met its demise in February 2020 when it went into liquidation. The troubles began when investors who had put their faith and money into the company started to raise concerns and complaints after the company’s collapse.
The Ponzi-Like Scheme Unveiled
An investigation by the Insolvency Service revealed that HGEC Capital Ltd operated as a Ponzi-like scheme. Campbell had lured in unsuspecting investors between June 2018 and February 2020, presenting them with an enticing opportunity to invest in the oil and gas industry. However, instead of using these investments for their intended purpose, Campbell diverted the majority of the funds to third parties and, shockingly, paid himself handsomely from the invested money.
Campbell left investors in the lurch by using incoming funds to make measly interest payments to earlier investors. In the end, investors only actually invested approximately £430,000 in the oil and gas venture, while they squandered the rest of the money.
Notable Beneficiaries and Legal Actions
Among those who benefited from this scam operation was Cheryl McGregor, the wife of Scotland and Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who received a staggering £700,000. Furthermore, a director of a connected company received £526,000. The administrators of HGEC Capital Ltd managed to recover £900,000 from Cheryl McGregor through a legal claim known as a ‘gratuitous alienation claim’, which allows the recovery of money given when the benefactor was insolvent.
Kenneth Campbell himself had a healthy payday, taking home £194,000 in payments, while consultants associated with HGEC received a total of £360,000. In total, the investors faced a collective loss of £2.8 million when the company ultimately collapsed.
A Strong Message Against Scams
The Court of Session in Edinburgh did not take this case lightly. Campbell’s actions were not only deceitful but also devastating to many innocent individuals who lost their life savings. Subsequently, he was banned from acting as a company director for a staggering 14 years, a decision that came into effect on September 7, 2023. This means he cannot be involved in the promotion, formation, or management of any company without the court’s permission, although unfortunately, many find ways to continue to operate businesses.
The case of Kenneth James Campbell serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the world of finance and investment. His fraudulent actions not only wreaked havoc on the lives of countless individuals but also tarnished the reputation of honest entrepreneurs and investors. Moreover, the 14 year ban imposed on Campbell sends a clear message that fraudulent activities will not be tolerated, and those who engage in them will face consequences. Finally, it is crucial for investors to exercise caution, conduct due diligence, and be vigilant to protect their hard-earned money from lurking, unscrupulous individuals.
Scam Alert
This message serves as a warning against potential online scams, including website scams and investment scams. Please exercise caution and conduct thorough research before engaging in any online transactions or investments. Protect your personal and financial information from fraudulent activities, and consult with trusted sources for advice.
Insolvency and Law Peter Murray is an award-winning consultancy firm specialising in Insolvency, debt purchasing and business rescue.