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Thread: Advice Required

  1. #1

    Advice Required

    A good friend of mine has rather unfortunately invested some money with someone she shouldn’t.

    She’s given him £4000.

    https://suite.endole.co.uk/insight/c...ulting-limited


    https://m.facebook.com/vimal.popat.9...&source=result

    https://mobile.twitter.com/fx4sight


    https://suite.endole.co.uk/insight/c...armacy-limited

    He’s some kind or purports to be some kind of Foreign Exchange Trader.

    He advised her that the returns would be monthly not anything to write home about but it was a safe / long term investment.

    She subsequently fell in hard times and asked for her investment back even if it meant him giving it to her in instalments. He is now ignoring her calls and emails.

    She does not have an address for him she did speak with his father at his Pharmacy but he advised he does not have an address for him. He is a problem to them and owes them and others money.

    It’s all a bit of a nightmare to be honest.

    I have dug out a few bits and pieces on him but not much.

    I have suggested she report it to the Police so there’s a record of it but think it’s going to be a County Court job.

    Any advice or assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated.

    Kind regards,

    Ben

  2. #2
    Master Tifa's Avatar
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    Look him and his company up on the FCA register.
    If he's not there, you're pretty much f**ked.

  3. #3
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    Advice Required

    Speaking from personal experience of a non FSA scheme going very badly wrong the recourse they may have is practically negligible

    Even pulling in the Serious Fraud Office has resulted in nothing - my only solace the “gentlemen” behind the scheme are enjoying their porridge for the next 7 years




    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
    Last edited by cypermethrin; 9th January 2019 at 23:22.

  4. #4
    Small claims, then court enforcement if he fails to make repayments.

    Good luck
    It's just a matter of time...

  5. #5
    Dependent on the “investment” you could look at whether or not the FCA might look at taking action against him for holding out as an investment adviser - but they probably have bigger fish.
    It's just a matter of time...

  6. #6

    Hello

    Thanks all.

  7. #7
    Master -Ally-'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by burnside View Post
    Who’d have thought...
    Last edited by -Ally-; 9th January 2019 at 23:53.

  8. #8

    Hello

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...tagnation.html

    He had a comment published here so think he has some knowledge of financial dealings, allegedly!

  9. #9
    Master
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    There's a different address for him on Companycheck.co.uk.

  10. #10

    Hello

    Dave

    Yes there seems to be a few addresses for him. Don’t think any are current though.

    Best,

    Ben

  11. #11

    Update

    My friend went to the Police.

    They have advised her to get a Lawyer to pursue it in civil court.

    She is going to post details of her dealings with him on FB on the Slough Police Page. She is extremely dispondent and feels she has no other options.

    Very sad case.

    Ben

  12. #12
    Craftsman
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    I assume she must have signed a contract, any money (pardon the pun) it says she can't have the investment back just when she wants.

  13. #13

    Hello

    Nope.

    No contract. She’s been bloody stupid but don’t have the heart to tell her.

  14. #14
    Master
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    Hi Ben,

    I did have a little dig around but to be honest, even if you found him, (and it's probably possible with some patience), what good will it do?
    No contract, no chance unfortunately. Shame there are people like this in the world but I'd suggest your friend puts it down to a lesson learned rather than spending more money on a futile legal pursuit.

  15. #15

    Hello

    Thanks mate.

    Yes, she is devastated. It was a friend of a friend of hers which turned out to be more of an acquaintance. She’s been incredibly stupid and is now paying the price.

    She is thinking along those lines that it’s pointless losing more money to Lawyers. She has emails and texts that purportedly support her version of events but no formal contract as such.

    Her plan is to speak to his father again tomorrow and see if he will do anything. Unlikely, but not a lot else she can do.

  16. #16
    Master
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    Shocking.

    No idea if this is him:

    https://contactout.com/Vimal-Popat-2835738

    Looks like he was living with his parents but the company's long gone. Whether he is now ....

    https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/c...58231/officers

    https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/c...25520/officers


    Are electoral registers open to public searches these days?


    Is this him?? https://www.sta-uk.org/sta-blog/memb...r/vimal-popat/

    This must be:
    https://contactout.com/Vimal-Popat-2835738

  17. #17

    Hello

    Yep, the FX thing is him and the other stuff.

  18. #18
    Craftsman
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    https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimal-popat-79a15b3/

    I thought HiFX was a reputable company? Maybe worth trying to contact him via his new employers?

    It looks like he's stayed local since HiFX are based in Slough. I'd send a "Letter Before Action" addressed to him at the HiFX offices by recorded delivery. I'm sure he won't want his shady past revealed to his new employers.

    Rogue Traders might even be interested since I bet your friend wasn't the only one caught out.
    Last edited by broxie; 18th January 2019 at 00:23.

  19. #19

    Hello

    I can’t see that could you screenshot it please.

  20. #20
    Grand Master
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    With all we see on tv about scams etc etc it amazes me how or why people still do this!.But having two elderly and infirm parents in their late 80/90's I can easily see how they can be conned,that can be a generation thing,I don't and hopefully won't still when in my old age trust anyone.

    Freinds that play baseball are best to ask for some help........


  21. #21
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by broxie View Post
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimal-popat-79a15b3/

    I thought HiFX was a reputable company? Maybe worth trying to contact him via his new employers?

    It looks like he's stayed local since HiFX are based in Slough. I'd send a "Letter Before Action" addressed to him at the HiFX offices by recorded delivery. I'm sure he won't want his shady past revealed to his new employers.

    Rogue Traders might even be interested since I bet your friend wasn't the only one caught out.
    Interestingly they are merging with XE at the end of this month. I would def try contacting him at his employers. HiFX/XE def won't want somebody with a history of fraud working for them. Only problem is its currently alleged theft/fraud as opposed to convicted for theft/fraud.

  22. #22

    Hello

    She’s in her 30’s so should have known better.

    My parents in their 70’s call me or my brother if they get a cold call or ask for info in writing.

    Agreed re contacting his employers but not sure if he actually works for them.

    Best,

    Ben

  23. #23
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    No contract !!! How did she transfer the money ? i hope it wasn't cash.
    If you have no way of proving the money changed hands I think your in a bit of a hole.
    Also being a bit of a cynic, I don't believe his dad doesn't know his address. I know he's not the party at fault, but having a peaceful protest in his shop, may jog his memory on his sons whereabouts....

  24. #24

    Hello

    I believe it was a bank transfer.

    The texts and emails evidence the nature of the relationship and the money.

    When she requested her money (the monthly dividend and then the investment in full) he said he’d transfer it a number of times. Then claimed maybe the bank had delayed it or made an error which was among a number of excuses.

    Agreed re his father.

    A complete mess.

  25. #25
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    At least there is a bank transfer and emails to confirm payment has been received. Problem is whether the company it was sent to is still trading...... It's a minefield.

  26. #26
    Master IAmATeaf's Avatar
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    Can’t you ring up his supposed slough office and ask to be put through to him? That should confirm if he’s working for them, then I’d head off to slough assuming it’s not too far and ask to speak to him and then be civil but rather loud.

  27. #27
    Journeyman
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    Quote Originally Posted by IAmATeaf View Post
    Can’t you ring up his supposed slough office and ask to be put through to him? That should confirm if he’s working for them, then I’d head off to slough assuming it’s not too far and ask to speak to him and then be civil but rather loud.
    I'd struggle with the civil part of that, it would require immense willpower to not wipe the floor with him.

  28. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by Itizme View Post
    I'd struggle with the civil part of that, it would require immense willpower to not wipe the floor with him.
    I think it's worth a try. I imagine just you knowing where he works and therefore get hold of him may be enough to make him refund the money as it's not worth the potential hassle now you know where he works.

  29. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gerald Genta View Post
    I think it's worth a try. I imagine just you knowing where he works and therefore get hold of him may be enough to make him refund the money as it's not worth the potential hassle now you know where he works.
    Oh 100% agree, it would rattle him, hopefully into refunding. My point was more regarding me personally, i don't know how calm I would be able to stay, so there would need to be superhuman levels of restraint on my part.

  30. #30
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    Did your friend ever get her money back?

  31. #31
    Journeyman
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    Several years ago, one of my "friends" was standing in my kitchen crying because his business had failed and there was no food in the cupboards at home. He had been round for dinner with his wife and children many times. I offered him $8000 to help sort things in the short term and he assured me he would pay EVERY cent back.
    They moved back to the UK 3/12 later.....I heard nothing more from him, and despite tracking him down via a Google search to a big interior design company in London, he responded once to an email again assuring me he would pay.
    Sadly, the story ends there. I will never be so foolish again, nor will I trust anyone again. Friends just do NOT do that to eachother.....but then...he clearly was not a friend.

  32. #32
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    Interestingly, I just searched again and he is now working in Sydney of all places!!!
    Looks like he is doing well for himself so I have emailed requesting he repay the money he owes me!!!!!

  33. #33

    Hello

    My apologies, been a bit preoccupied and nothing major to report on this.

    She's not got her money back. His brother and father claim not to know where he is or have any contact with him but are still friends with him on FB.

  34. #34
    Apprentice
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    How did your friend meet this guy?

  35. #35

    Hello

    Through a friend of hers. Turns out he was more of an acquaintance than a friend of his.

    She’s been incredibly foolish, sadly!

  36. #36
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    Action required

    Hi
    I had a similar experience and stupidly did the same a couple of years back with another person scamming me for money re.forex investment. I lost £8,000 but.....

    I reported to Action Fraud
    https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ho...nd-cyber-crime

    I had found a couple of other women this guy had defrauded also and got them to report it.

    Finally they tracked him down as we all separately reported the incidences to this division of the police.

    There is hope and although you may not get all your money back, this guy did a jail sentence. His name was ruined and in the end we recovered some cash back too.

    Tell your mate to do this, she can report just by logging in (as to get hold of them by phone takes a long time and makes no difference).

    Also if you google this guy, Vimal at his Fx4sight trading name he has scammed another lady. It is definitely worth your mate contacting her for her to do exactly the same, as then they will have to investigate this cheat.

    Out of interest - did he form some sort of relationship with them too as this is all too common?

    Here’s the link the other girl who’s posted on social media has written:
    https://m.facebook.com/SloughHinduTe...81211098812302

    Hopefully the nail him. Hope your friend gets some of her cash back too.

  37. #37
    Master
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    Despite losing money to scumbags like that how satisfying must it have been for you and the other ladies to know he at least got a well deserved jail sentence and a little comeuppance. Well done for rallying support and persisting to see it through.
    Glad you actually managed to recover some of your losses as well.
    I hope Bens friend can get a similar result.
    Welcome to the forum by the way.

  38. #38
    Master IAmATeaf's Avatar
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    Get your friend to do as above and report it, even if she doesn’t get her money back at least you’ll have the satisfaction of disrupting his life and let him taste some of his own medicine when people come a knocking.

  39. #39

    Hello

    Will do. That is her post on FB but I’m sure she’s not the only one who has been taken in.

  40. #40
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    Did your friend log the incident involving this guy? Any update?

  41. #41
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    Angry Mr. Vimal Popat

    Hi All,
    I was looking up thisw guy as he also ripped me of.
    Sold a bike that was on Finance, when I did HPI check it was clear and once paid he took out a Loan with loans2go real fast.
    Anyways only paid 3000 pounds and 600 was with PayPal so got 600 back and the rest will be sold in parts, so no real harm done.
    Only thing is that I hate those assholes that can go on with this crap.
    I am from Holland and I have made a cas about it with the Dutch Court of commerce, he is to show up in August.
    If he doesn't the won't be able to travel to Holland any more( I don't care).

    Good news is I have is address and Phone number!
    It is:
    DELETED BY ADMIN

    Have fun with it!

  42. #42
    Strange, his house is obscured on Google Maps.

  43. #43
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kingstepper View Post
    Strange, his house is obscured on Google Maps.
    It is the white house with Mercedes S-class(bought with other people's money I suppose) in front.

  44. #44
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Seems to have a very similar moral compass as our very own Zayub.
    Last edited by number2; 13th July 2019 at 15:45.
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  45. #45

    Hello

    Thanks for the update.

    I'll let my friend know although she has more or less given up hope.

    She went to see his brother and father and they claim to have washed their hands of him and that other people have been round looking for money.

    I really despise people like this. They just keep on scamming others, no shame whatsoever!

  46. #46
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Call in Geronimo
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  47. #47
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
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    I don't think posting his name and address in an open forum is a good idea. Couldn't this expose Eddie to some form of liability if something happened?

  48. #48
    Master draftsmann's Avatar
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    ^^ Nobody’s inciting anyone to do anything they shouldn’t...

  49. #49
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    Call in Geronimo
    He had a specialist set of skills...

  50. #50
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    Vimal Popat

    Thanks Evert for getting in touch.

    This man or thief, Vimal Popat, Slough, UK has scammed a lot of us over the past 10 years. He purports to be a forex trader as Burnside has said. He is not. He just preys on innocent victims to take their hard-earned cash. We estimate with the victims we know he’s taken at least £500k over the last few years.

    With all of us collectively we can get him arrested for a very long time.

    I’m urging everyone who’s been scammed by him to contact Action Fraud - a branch of the police who investigate fraud. Regardless of if he’s paid some of you back, only through scamming someone else. Thank you for all your information.

    The police are on it, so if any of you have trouble getting through to them, contact me.

    It’s only a matter of time.

    Sorry you had to cross paths with him also!
    C
    Last edited by Soraya; 21st July 2019 at 09:22.

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