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Daily Mail
29-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Inside the '£19MILLION holiday lodge scam': How hundreds of Brits poured their hard-earned savings into 'schemes' - and walked away with nothing
Some 200 investors who paid out an estimated £19million in a suspected fraud fear they may never get their money back. Victims handed their 'hard-earned savings' over to holiday lodge schemes marketed by two estate agents. They were offered lodges in the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland at two sites called Landal Barnsoul and Landal Barncrosh, with investors believing Landal was referring to the well-known European holiday operator Landal Greenparks. But the company behind the suspected scam was called Apple Invest - which, according to those acting for the aggrieved investors, had not obtained planning permission for one of the sites, and had no affiliation with the Landal name. The investors are blaming Andrew Anderson, director of Apple Invest, for their predicament. The alleged fraud came to light as investors were eventually told by administrators they owned nothing. Further to this, it is alleged that after the company went into administration it continued selling lodges, contrary to a court injunction issued six months prior. Affiliated companies accused of complicity have distanced themselves from Apple Invest. Police, operating under Operation Banstead, have confirmed two men, both in their 40s, have been arrested - one in Cheshire and one in Essex. While is is believed Apple Invest Ltd has no remaining funds, large sums have allegedly been transferred to companies. Belvedere Leisure Resorts was working together with Apple Invest before the two directors allegedly fell out - though the existence of a joint venture has been denied. With agents that sold the scheme - Advantage Investment and Knight Knox - also denying responsibility and banks refusing to accept any wrongdoing for allowing the transfer of money, the chances of the suspected fraud victims receiving any compensation have been branded slim. Victims also say due to the complexity of the case and number of agents involved the hefty legal costs mean no one may be held accountable. Pensioners and NHS workers have spoken out to discuss the impact the loss of money has had on their lives - with many saying they now suffer from depression and others feeling like they have 'failed' their family. Dave Lindon, who was recovering from a prostate cancer operation when he invested with Advantage Investment Limited in July 2021, said the experience had left him 'very upset'. He explained: 'I was contacted by Advantage Investment Limited in July 2021 after seeing an advert on to buy a luxury holiday lodge at Landal Barnsoul. At the time I was recovering from a prostate cancer operation. 'I lost £90,000 which was a large element of my pension savings. Pictured is one of the suspect deeds given to an investor - which investors believe to be illegitimate as they say they have been listed as unsecured creditors 'This experience has left me feeling very upset and I no longer trust anything or anyone when it comes to finance. 'I know several other people have lost significantly more than me and I am sure we all feel rather helpless. 'It seems obvious that several companies are involved in this scam but as yet the police haven't confirmed and banks are playing hardball. At least £10million has gone missing with total fraud circa £19million.' Janet Penny, a 75-year-old who works in dentistry said she had now 'lost all my pension savings' after undertaking her second lodge investment. She explained: 'I have to continue to work and have honestly become very ill.' Yasemin Iscan said she had met an estate agent in the year 2023 which was the 'worst decision of my life'. She said: 'I was 33, naive and I even told them that this was my first ever investment and property purchase. 'I invested £75,000 cash into this scam. 'When I found out I lost all my life savings, I was hospitalised and had temporary amnesia due to all the pain and trauma this has caused me. 'I have so much shame around my idiocy that I will never be able to trust anyone ever again.' Jacquie Robinson, who also invested £85,000 in a holiday lodge in the Dumfries and Galloway site in October 2022, said she initially received the payments through to her account which allowed her to 'semi-retire'. But all of a sudden the money 'stopped' and Ms Robinson has said she is working full time again, living on her 'employer's carpark in her camper van for five days a week'. Steven, from Hertfordshire, added he purchased three lodges worth £234,000 in 2023 through Advantage Investment. He explained: 'The steady income was meant to help with my rent and car payments on top on my full time job. 'I've lost my house and everything I own. 'I'm now living with my partner unable to help with rent trying to pay off all my debts. Refundee - a claims management company - is currently seeking compensation for investors who have lost money on the grounds it is an suspected APP (Authorised Push Payment) scam 'My mental health has suffered a lot with self harm and running away from home and everything since. Each day, week, month I'm anxious just trying to make sure I can get by. 'This investment has completely ruined my life.' While around 90 per cent of people who have lost their cash to the scheme are British, some international investors have also been affected. Dhary Al Thamer, who invested £95k with Advantage Investment and 'convinced' his father to invest £400k, said he could 'no longer look him in the eye'. He explained: 'This experience without a doubt changed my life. As a non-UK resident, you always think the UK is a safe country where there would be laws to protect you from scammers. 'I haven't been the same since then, I can't look my father in the eye. I failed him and our family.' Chan, from Hong Kong, added: 'I bought a lodge and lost £85k in 2023. 'I am far away and have no protection in the UK. I have no money to support my family's medical bills and kid's education anymore.' Refundee - a claims management company - is currently seeking compensation for investors who have lost money on the grounds it is a suspected APP (Authorised Push Payment) scam and the alleged money laundering should have been picked up by the banking system. Thus far, banks have denied any responsibility, and the case is now with the Financial Ombudsman. An Advantage Investment spokesman said: 'Advantage Investment is aware of the criminal Police investigation into this and have assisted with the enquiry. We have also assisted all investors to the best of our ability and will continue to do so. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing investigation we cannot comment on the matter any further.' A Knight Knox spokesman said: 'Knight Knox is aware of the police investigation into Apple Invest and has assisted with that enquiry. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Police investigation, we cannot comment on the matter any further.'
Business News Wales
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
North Wales Housekeeping Group Celebrates New Customers
A North Wales housekeeping and facilities management specialist is celebrating winning a series of new customers – including the company's first in Scotland. Godfrey Group has onboarded international holiday park operator Landal to provide housekeeping for all its holiday lodges at its Barnsoul site in Dumfries. Independently owned holiday park Low Briery, near Keswick in the Lake District, has also contracted with Godfrey Group to provide cleaning services for all its lodges and cottages. A further new client is Lovat Holiday Parks which has contracted with Godfrey Group to deliver housekeeping services at its Waxham Sands holiday park in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. The latest client wins come on the back of almost three years of sustained growth during which turnover and headcount have more than doubled. The company currently employs more than 300 people at sites across the UK and recently moved into a new head office at the Pool Park Estate in Ruthin. Closer to home the family-run business has also secured a contract with Love2Stay Shrewsbury, owned by Salop Leisure, which has brought in Godfrey Group to provide cleaning services for its accommodation units, central areas including café, reception and gym and shower blocks for touring and camping. Andrew Godfrey, Managing Director of Godfrey Group, said: 'We have had a very busy start to 2025 with several new customers choosing us to deliver their housekeeping and cleaning services. 'We are excited to have further cemented our position as the only UK-wide housekeeping company following our first contract in Scotland with Landal. 'The common theme we hear from customers is that they want to professionalise their housekeeping and cleaning services and believe the best way to do this is to outsource to a specialist company like Godfrey Group which has the size and scale to be able to grow with a holiday park operator in line with their requirements.' Colin Henderson, General Manager at Landal Barnsoul, said: 'Switching cleaning contractors can often be disruptive, but Godfrey Group made the transition for us effortless and the results are incredible. 'Since their introduction, we have seen a dramatic improvement in guest satisfaction. Their team doesn't just meet expectations – they exceed them.' In addition to the holiday parks division of the business, Godfrey Group is also seeing growth in other sectors where it delivers commercial cleaning and facilities management services including education, housing associations and manufacturing and industrial sites.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Award-winning holiday park next to one of UK's finest beaches set to triple in size – with 22 new lodges being built
A POPULAR holiday resort located next to one of the UK's top beaches is set to undergo an ambitious expansion. The award-winning park, made up of wooden cabins, will triple in size as 22 new lodges are added. 5 Whitekirk Hill is set to triple the amount of lodges on site with an ambitious new expansion Credit: Landal 5 Whitekirk Hill already has nine eco-friendly lodges, with 22 more planned as part of the project Credit: Landal Whitekirk Hill is located in East Lothian, Scotland, just an 11 minute drive from It first opened in 2019 following a £3 million renovation of the golf club which previously occupied the site. The location was converted into a modern family-friendly lifestyle hub, which includes a café, restaurant, indoor children's play area, spa, gym, and event spaces. In 2021, nine luxury eco-lodges were added to the property for overnight guests. Read More On Holiday Resorts Now Whitekirk Hill plans to add 22 more lodges, tripling the size of its accommodation. Plans were approved in April, consisting of 12 three-bedroom lodges and 10 one-bedroom micro lodges. And the resort reportedly plans to add an additional 10 lodges in the future. The news comes just weeks after the Wild Cairns Outdoor Activity Centre was opened at the 160-acre resort. Most read in News Travel This new addition features an axe-throwing area, an airsoft gun range with zombie targets, and a 1.5-mile obstacle course. Younger visitors can enjoy an indoor adventure playground with climbing structures and slides, perfect for colder days. Inside little-known seaside spot right next to the country's most iconic sites Guests can also enjoy garden games, which are available for hire for weddings, corporate events, and private parties. The resort boasts views of the nearby Tantallon Castle, the Bass Rock, and the Firth of Forth. Described as the place "where beauty meets adventure", Whitekirk Hill has been awarded a five star rating by the Scottish tourism board. And if that's not enough reasons to visit this stunning area, one of the UK's finest beaches is also located nearby. Tyninghame Links, also known as Ravensheugh Sands, is regarded as "one of the finest beaches in the south of Scotland", according to The World's 50 Best Beaches The World's Best Beaches consulted more than 750 judges including travel journalists, influencers, and beach ambassadors to rank the beaches. Lucky Bay, Australia Source D'Argent, Seychelles Hidden, Philippines Whitehaven, Australia One Foot, Cook Islands Trunk, US Virgin Islands Honopu, Hawaii Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland Navagio Beach, Greece Balandra, Mexico Cala Goloritze, Italy Pipe Creek, Bahamas Pink, Indonesia Grace, Turks & Caicos Gardner, Ecuador Mcway, California Turquoise, Australia Le Morne, Mauritius Sancho, Brazil Seven Mile, Cayman Islands Lanikai, Hawaii Maya, Thailand Moro, Spain Kelingking, Indonesia Meads, Anguilla Flamenco, Puerto Rico Arena, Dominican Republic Little Hellfire, Australia Lazio, Seychelles Vaeroy, Norway Horseshoe, Bermuda Myrtos, Greece Hidden, Mexico Grand Anse, Grenada Xpu Ha, Mexico San Josef, Canada Matira, French Polynesia Capriccioli, Italy Pasjaca, Croatia Boulders, South Africa Salines, Martinique Champagne, Vanuatu Marinha, Portugal Balos, Greece Achmelvich, Scotland Kaputas, Turkey Radhangar, India Varadero, Cuba Piha, New Zealand Pink Sand, Bahamas Paths wind through the adjacent forest, emerging onto the huge sandy bay, with dramatic views of the Bass Rock. Visitors can park up nearby for just £3 for the entire day. And if you're a fan of the show Outlander, this area may look familiar to you. This stunning beach featured in season five, episode two, in what has been described as "one of the most dramatic scenes" of the series. Whitekirk Hill is located just 46 minutes from Edinburgh, and is well worth a day trip if you're in the area. 5 Whitekirk Hill has received a five star rating from the Scottish tourism board Credit: Landal 5 It is located near Ravensheigh Sands, regarded as one of Scotland's finest beaches Credit: Alamy 5 Ravensheugh Sands featured as the backdrop during a dramatic episode of Outlander Credit: Starz Entertainment
