FCA secures majority of victims’ money from investment fraud case

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recovered the majority of victims’ money from an investment fraud case after obtaining a confiscation order against a convicted fraudster.

John Burford was sentenced to two years in prison in September 2025 for defrauding more than 100 investors out of £1m.

The FCA said Burford had offered trade alerts and investment opportunities in managed ‘funds’, despite lacking regulatory approval.

The regulator found he had repeatedly misled investors about fund performance, concealed losses, and used their money for personal gain.

At a Southwark Crown Court hearing on 27 July 2026, Burford was ordered to pay £655,951, which was the total value of assets the court determined were available to be recovered.

These funds will be returned directly to those impacted by Burford’s fraudulent activity.

Combined with the payments previously made by Burford to investors, an estimated 99 per cent of the money originally invested by the around 70 known victims will have been returned.

If Burford does not pay the confiscation order within three months, he could be given a default prison sentence of up to five years.

“Mr Burford scammed investors to fund his own lavish lifestyle,” said FCA executive director of enforcement and market oversight, Steve Smart.

“Clawing back stolen money from fraudsters and returning it to victims sends a clear message that crime doesn’t pay.”

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