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Investment Fraud Lawyers

At Draycott Browne, our specialist Investment Fraud Lawyers provide expert legal defence for individuals and businesses facing allegations of investment fraud. These cases often involve complex financial transactions, multiple agencies, and substantial reputational risk.

Being accused of investment fraud can be overwhelming. The consequences are severe, with the possibility of a long prison sentence, unlimited fines, director disqualification and confiscation of assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Even before a case reaches court, the fact of an investigation alone can cause lasting damage to your career, finances and reputation.

With over 25 years of experience in high value fraud defence, our firm is trusted nationwide to deliver strategic, robust, and discreet representation. Led by Rob Mann, Director and Head of Fraud, our Investment Fraud Lawyers bring unrivalled expertise and a detailed understanding of how prosecuting authorities prepare their cases. This insight allows us to challenge allegations effectively at every stage, giving you the best possible chance of protecting your future.

If you are under investigation, or believe you may soon be facing charges, it is vital to seek legal advice immediately. Early action gives you the strongest opportunity to influence the direction of the investigation and minimise the risk of long-term consequences.

To speak with one of our expert Investment Fraud Lawyers, call us today on the number at the top of the page or complete our confidential contact form below.

How our Investment Fraud Lawyers Can Help

Investment fraud cases are often complex and heavily scrutinised, with large volumes of evidence requiring careful handling from the very start. At Draycott Browne, our priority is to protect your position immediately, providing clear and decisive legal advice at every stage of the process. Our Investment Fraud Lawyers can assist with:

  • Immediate legal advice following arrest or notification of investigation
  • Attending and representing you during interviews under caution
  • Communicating with investigators and managing requests for evidence
  • Advising on bail and seeking to minimise any restrictions imposed
  • Reviewing and challenging disclosure material
  • Preparing a bespoke defence strategy based on the allegations and evidence
  • Representing you in Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court proceedings
  • Advising on restraint orders, confiscation proceedings, and reputational protection

Where allegations are particularly detailed or high value, we work with forensic accountants, digital experts and financial specialists to strengthen your defence. Our team has proven expertise in managing multi-agency investigations with clarity, determination, and discretion.

By engaging us at the earliest stage, you benefit from a legal team that understands how prosecutors prepare their cases and how best to challenge them. We act with commitment, technical quality, and expertise, ensuring that every opportunity is taken to secure the best possible outcome.

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Our legal team is available 7 days a week

Criminal Defence Expertise for Investment Fraud Offences

Robert Mann Criminal Defence Lawyer

How I Take Control of the Investigation

Robert Mann | Fraud Defence Lawyer

"I don't believe in waiting for the prosecution to make the first move. Success in investment fraud defence is built in the months before you ever step into a courtroom. We use that time to dismantle the case against you piece by piece, auditing every document and challenging every assumption. When we take control, we aren't just reacting to the investigation; we are leading it."

Arrested or facing an urgent interview? Call me now on the 24/7 emergency number at the top of this page for immediate advice.

 

 

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Our Expert Investment fraud Lawyers

Shaun Draycott

Shaun Draycott

Managing Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Rob Mann

Rob Mann

Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Venessa Schweitzer

Venessa Schweitzer

Consultant Litigator
Caitlin Cardwell

Caitlin Cardwell

Crown Court Litigator
Meet the Team

What Should You Do If You Are Accused Of Investment Fraud?

Being accused of investment fraud can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. Allegations are often made without warning, and you may suddenly find yourself facing investigators, interviews under caution, or even the freezing of your assets. How you respond at this early stage can make a critical difference to the outcome.

If you are accused of investment fraud, you should:

  • Seek legal advice immediately. Do not speak to investigators or provide information without a solicitor present.
  • Preserve all relevant documents and records. Evidence may be crucial to your defence and should not be destroyed or altered.
  • Avoid discussing the case. Conversations with colleagues, friends, or online can be misinterpreted and later used against you.
  • Cooperate with your solicitor. Provide full and accurate information so that your legal team can build the strongest possible defence.
  • Act quickly. Early intervention can often influence the direction of the investigation and may even prevent charges from being brought.

At Draycott Browne, our experienced Investment Fraud Lawyers provide urgent, clear, and strategic advice from the moment you are accused. With our skill, determination, and technical quality, we will work to protect your reputation, your liberty, and your future.

 

Different Types of Investment Fraud

Investment fraud can take many different forms, often disguised as legitimate investment opportunities that promise unusually high or guaranteed returns. These allegations frequently involve detailed financial investigations, substantial volumes of evidence, and significant losses for investors. At Draycott Browne, our Investment Fraud Lawyers have extensive experience defending clients facing a wide range of investment fraud allegations.

Hedge Fund Fraud, involves allegations that investors have been misled through false performance figures, concealed losses, inaccurate valuations, or the misuse of investment funds. These investigations often focus on fund managers and financial professionals.

Institutional Investment Fraud, occurs when pension funds, insurance companies, asset managers, or other institutional investors are persuaded to invest using false or misleading financial information. These cases often involve substantial financial losses and detailed regulatory investigations.

Land Banking Fraud, occurs when investors are persuaded to purchase land based on false claims that planning permission will be granted or that the land will significantly increase in value. These allegations often involve large numbers of investors and substantial financial losses.

Ponzi Scheme Fraud, involves paying returns to existing investors using money received from new investors rather than genuine investment profits. These schemes often collapse once new investment slows, leading to significant financial losses.

Pyramid Scheme Fraud, relies on recruiting new participants whose investments are used to reward existing members rather than generating returns through legitimate commercial activity. These schemes are unsustainable and frequently become the subject of criminal investigations.

Stocks and Shares Fraud, covers a range of dishonest conduct involving financial markets, including market manipulation, insider trading, and the promotion of worthless or artificially inflated shares. These cases often involve extensive financial analysis and regulatory scrutiny.

If you are under investigation or have been accused of any form of investment fraud, obtaining specialist legal advice as early as possible is essential. Our experienced Investment Fraud Lawyers provide strategic, practical advice from the outset, protecting your rights and building a robust defence designed to achieve the best possible outcome.

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 also updated the regulatory framework for financial services and investments, including bringing certain cryptoasset activities and promotions within the scope of financial services regulation. This may be relevant where an investment fraud investigation involves cryptoassets, unauthorised promotions or regulated investment activity.
 

Specialist Investment Fraud Lawyers

  • 24/7 Availability
  • Proven Success in High Profile Cases
  • Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation

Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s Investment Fraud Defence Lawyers today.

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24 Hour Availability

Investigations into investment fraud can escalate without warning. Arrests, dawn raids, search warrants, and interview requests often come at very short notice. In these moments, immediate access to expert legal advice is crucial.

At Draycott Browne, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We provide urgent representation at police stations, during interviews under caution, and at court hearings across England and Wales.

You do not have to face investigators alone. Expert legal support is always just a phone call away.

Legal Aid

We understand that the cost of defending serious fraud allegations can be a real concern. In some cases, you may be eligible for Legal Aid, which can help cover your legal fees. Our experienced Legal Aid Solicitors will advise you on your eligibility and guide you through the application process, giving you the best possible chance of securing funding.

By working with Draycott Browne, you can be confident that you will receive high-quality legal representation whether your case is publicly funded or privately instructed. Our team is committed to ensuring that every client has access to the skilled defence they need, regardless of financial circumstances.

Private Funding

At Draycott Browne, we have long supported clients who qualify for Legal Aid. However, it is important to recognise that Legal Aid funding places significant limitations on the level of support we are able to provide.

By choosing to privately fund the legal services you require, you are securing the highest level of advice and representation from our top-class fraud solicitors. Private funding allows us to allocate additional resources within our team, enabling us to work more extensively and strategically on your case.

With this approach, our Private Criminal Defence Solicitors can deliver the best possible service, drawing on the full strength of our experienced fraud defence team. We ensure that no stone is left unturned in building a detailed and persuasive legal defence.

If you are facing allegations of investment fraud, we strongly advise you to consider a privately funded route. This guarantees that you receive the very best representation for your case, greatly improving your chances of achieving a successful outcome.

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Our legal team is available 7 days a week

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Contact our Investment Fraud Lawyers

If you are under investigation for investment fraud, contact our specialist team today. Part of the wider criminal lawyers team, our team of Investment Fraud Lawyers have significant expertise in these cases and will be able to provide you with the best-possible advice and support.

The expert solicitors at Draycott Browne possess a breadth of knowledge that is unrivalled in the industry and we take great pride in our dedication and professionalism. We are relentless in the pursuit of achieving the best result possible for all of our clients and will continuously work hard on your behalf with an attention to detail and tenacity that is second to none.

We have over 25 years of experience in this area of law. Our experience and expertise in even the most complex and sophisticated of cases means you’ll have the best possible chance of a successful outcome to the challenge you are facing.

Draycott Browne is one of the UK's top criminal law firms. We regularly provide specialist criminal defence representation in cases involving investment fraud to clients in Manchester, Liverpool, London, Birmingham and throughout the whole of England and Wales.

When facing serious consequences, trust in Draycott Browne. You cannot afford to settle for anything less.

Call on the number at the top of the page, or complete the enquiry form below to arrange a call back. 

Frequently Asked Questions for Investment Fraud

Investment fraud involves persuading someone to invest money through dishonest or misleading claims, such as false promises of returns, concealed risks or misrepresentation of how funds will be used. These offences are commonly prosecuted under the Fraud Act 2006, while the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 may also be relevant depending on the conduct involved.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 also introduced the failure to prevent fraud offence, which came into force on 1 September 2025. It can make qualifying large organisations criminally liable where an associated person commits specified fraud intending to benefit the organisation and reasonable fraud prevention procedures were not in place.

Investment fraud may be investigated by agencies such as the Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority, City of London Police, National Crime Agency or HMRC, depending on the nature and scale of the allegation. The Crown Prosecution Service may then bring a prosecution based on the evidence gathered.

Investment fraud can lead to substantial prison sentences, including up to 10 years for fraud offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and up to 14 years where money laundering is involved. A conviction may also result in confiscation or compensation orders, fines, director disqualification, professional sanctions and restrictions on future business activity.

Sentencing for investment fraud is based mainly on the offender’s culpability and the harm caused, including the amount lost, the number of victims and the wider impact of the offending. The court will also consider factors such as planning, concealment, abuse of trust, the offender’s role in the scheme and any attempts to obstruct the investigation.

The most appropriate defence will depend on the facts, but may include showing that the investment was genuine, there was no dishonesty or intent to deceive, or that the accused had no knowledge of or involvement in any fraud. The defence may also challenge the reliability of financial evidence or raise procedural issues in the way the investigation was conducted.

Yes. Investigators can apply for a restraint order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to freeze bank accounts, property and other assets, sometimes before charges are brought. It may be possible to apply to vary or discharge the order so funds can be accessed for permitted expenses such as living costs or business needs.

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