The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has charged John Dobbs with three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

The FCA alleges that John Dobbs – alongside Bruce Rowan, David Simmons, Robert Sweeney and Justin Russell – was involved in the operations of an unauthorised investment scheme, which defrauded investors out of £3.9 million.

The regulator alleges that, between 1 May 2015 and 23 July 2019, John Dobbs conspired to defraud UK investors via two companies, Hanover Merchant Capital UK Ltd and Liberty House Capital Ltd. This included false representations about:

• How their money would be invested.
• How their profits were generated.
• The security of their capital.

John Dobbs will appear before Southwark Crown Court on 25 March 2025.

Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation is an offence under section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006 and section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 punishable on indictment by a fine and/or up to 10 years’ imprisonment.