Eight inter-linked companies that fraudulently sold wine investments and carbon benefit units have been forcibly wound up in the high court, following an investigation by the Insolvency Service. The court was told how investors were cold called and high-pressure sales techniques used to persuade people to invest. Potential investors were assured by Blakeney Bridge that any investment would be safe and that by investing they would be “picking the pockets” of the biggest spenders in Russia and China. The wine sold to investors was marked up by up to 89% of the price paid by Blakeney Bridge. At least £1.5 million was raised from the sale of wine to the public for investment.

http://www.harpers.co.uk/news/wine-investment-fraud-unraveled-in-insolvency-court/528428.article