£70m Ponzi scheme criminal on the run

Metropolis of London Police have launched a global manhunt for a “profession felony” who ran a Ponzi-style funding scheme which cheated £70m from victims.

Anthony Constantinou, 41, of no mounted deal with, was jailed at present at Southwark Crown Court docket for 14 years for fraud involving his Metropolis of London enterprise.

He was described as a “profession felony.”

He absconded throughout his trial and was final situated in Bulgaria, heading for Turkey. Police imagine he could also be in Turkey or Dubai.

Mr Constantinou, 41, ran Capital World Markets (CWM) which supplied traders very excessive returns of 60% per 12 months by investing in allegedly risk-free international trade (FX) markets.

Today he was sentenced after beforehand being discovered responsible of seven costs, together with fraud by false illustration, fraudulent buying and selling and cash laundering. He was additionally disqualified from being a director of an organization for 25 years. 

The case concerned an funding scheme generally known as the ‘Managed Account’, which was supplied primarily by an organization known as CWM, Capital World Markets or CW Markets.

From late 2013 to March 2015, CWM supplied traders very excessive returns of round 5% per calendar month – 60% a 12 months – on allegedly risk-free transactions on international trade markets.

Greater than 250 traders have been attracted by the promise of excessive rewards. They have been advised that CWM had particular methods of FX buying and selling that gave it entry to preferential costs and meant it might all the time earn a living on trades. The claims have been lies.

There was normally a minimal funding of £50,000, rising to £100,000 later.

In basic Ponzi-style, traders’ returns have been paid immediately out of the investments and the remainder of the cash was spent.

Thousands and thousands of kilos have been lavished on the picture of CWM, together with sponsorship offers designed to make the corporate look profitable and appeal to but extra funding, and hundreds of thousands of kilos have been paid to Mr Constantinou who managed the funds.

Detective Inspector Nichola Meghji, of the Metropolis of London Police, mentioned: “Anthony Constantinou is a profession felony who has no regard for anybody however himself. We’re glad that he has now been jailed for such a major time period and we hope that his victims can take some consolation in understanding how critically the choose has taken his crimes. The truth that the jury unanimously discovered him responsible after his trial additionally speaks volumes.

“The investigation by specialist fraud investigators into Constantinou has spanned numerous years and Constantinou has continued to lie and deny any wrongdoing all through this investigation and following courtroom proceedings.”

DI Mehghji mentioned police have been now searching throughout international locations for him.

She mentioned: “Whereas he initially attended courtroom to listen to the opening of his trial, Constantinou didn’t attend the later levels. Enquiries on his whereabouts revealed that he had fled his final recognized deal with in London and he was final situated in Bulgaria making an attempt to enter Turkey utilizing false paperwork.

“That’s the reason at present, we on the Metropolis of London Police, are launching an attraction for data on Constantinou’s whereabouts in order that he could be introduced again to the UK to face the justice that has been served.

“Constantinou was arrested in Bulgaria final month whereas making an attempt to enter Turkey whereas in possession of false paperwork. He was later launched and officers imagine he’s now both in Turkey or Dubai, however he additionally has household connections to Greece and Cyprus.

“As a profession felony, he has entry to paperwork and cash underneath different names. It’s not recognized what title he’s presently travelling on or being generally known as, however we do know he additionally makes use of the aliases of Antonis Hadjicostis and Georgios Arnaoutakis.

“It is usually vitally vital that individuals come ahead with data as Constantinou was beforehand convicted of sexual assault in 2016 and by absconding from the UK, he’s now in breach of his sexual offences hurt order. A world arrest warrant has been issued for Constantinou’s arrest, however we’re calling on the general public to assist authorities find him.”

• Anybody with data can contact the Metropolis of London Police right here or present data to Crimestoppers anonymously on-line at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111 / +44800 555 111.