News
Reporting on fraud, review manipulation, misleading information and the work of protecting consumers and honest businesses.
11 articles tagged fraud
On 19 October 2025, The Guardian published an article highlighting KwikChex’s investigation into fraudulent investment firms exploiting the Trustpilot review platform. The report warned of the risks these fake reviews and deceptive online practices pose to consumers and legitimate businesses. Scam investment firms regu
Homeowners fell victim to a long-running timeshare scam after UK lenders provided the finance to pay the fraudsters – exposing significant safeguarding deficiencies. Having been hooked by timeshare scammers while on holiday on the island of Mallorca in Spain, the fraud was successfully completed when the victims, havin
KwikChex is seeking assistance from loan providers, advisors and authorities after uncovering a multimillion-pound fraud enabled by equity release. KwikChex is helping consumers who fell prey to a purported real estate and holiday club investment scheme. Many of those affected were persuaded to remortgage their homes t
With a huge increase in scams during the pandemic crisis, and growing demand from consumers for free and practical assistance, KwikChex has entered into a partnership with Steve Reynolds Consultancy, to enhance our resources. Steve is a vastly experienced investigator, with over 40 years of law enforcement experience i
The Financial Conduct Authority is calling on consumers to remain vigilant for fraudsters offering instant cash loans. After previously warning of an increase in unscrupulous scammers preying on unsuspecting victims during the pandemic, they are reporting that Monva Ltd is the latest firm to be targeted by such clone f
News from the Federal Trade Commission in the US Please note we feel warnings such as this are relevant everywhere as similar scams are likely to be Worldwide. ———— People are being asked to remain vigilant as states witness a rise in the number of fake contact tracers using the COVID-19 pandemi
Further to recent general warnings and advice from KwikChex about increased activities by scammers, we are now receiving specific reports of attempts at defrauding timeshare owners. The latest attempts at scamming timeshare owners involve phone callers falsely telling Hilton Grand Vacations owners in the UK that the bu
KwikChex seeing rapidly increasing online threats to consumers and businesses connected to coronavirus Fraudsters delight in exploiting ‘fear factors’ and the coronavirus crisis is demonstrating how they are using it in attempts to scam consumers. This situation particularly suits scammers as so many people are staying
KwikChex sees an increase in reports from consumers concerned about being caught out by cold-calling rogues offering to get their monies back after losing monies in initial scams. An increasing number of consumers are approaching KwikChex with stories of being contacted by people saying they can get monies back for the
Further actions have taken place in a criminal case that KwikChex supported with evidence gained from investigations and consumer reports. Frank Madden was previously sentenced to 40 months imprisonment for operating a bogus holiday discount club scam and has now been ordered to pay back £20,000 and had further banning
Credits: Worcester Observer, by Lorna Morris, 3rd March A WORCESTER man who conned women he met on internet dating sites has been ordered to pay more than £179,000 under the Proceeds of Crime. Matthew Bart Samuels, of Broadway Grove, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Monday (February 29) at a confiscation hearing wh
