The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today raided two sites and made three arrests across the south of England (Picture: SFO)
Three people have been arrested after a care home company bought two Lamborghinis, a Mclaren 570GT, a private jet and two yachts in a £76 million scam.
The Serious Fraud Office investigated property developer the Carlauren Group after they fell into administration, forcing elderly residents to leave their care homes.
Between 2015 and 2019 the group had purchased 23 hotels to renovate them into care-homes, including the historic Windlestone Hall in Durham.
But only nine of these were ever operational, with some even continuing to operate as hotels.
Instead, the group were found to have made huge luxury purchases on two Lamborghinis, a Mclaren 570GT, a private jet and two yachts.
Carlauren Group collapsed into administration in 2019.
More than 600 investors have been left out of pocket, after they were promised the care homes would include swimming pools and room service.
Rooms were sold with a guaranteed annual payout with the opportunity to resell with up to a 25% profit.
The Grade II listed Windlestone Hall, near Rushyford, in County Durham (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltd)
Carlauren Chief Executive Sean Murray pictured on a place (Picture: Facebook)
The Serious Fraud Office carried out raids in in St Leonard’s, Dorset and Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire as part of their investigation.
Nick Ephgrave QPM, Director of the Serious Fraud Office, said: ‘This company’s abrupt collapse has created turmoil and enormous anxiety for many, with elderly people forced to vacate their homes and investors left with nothing.
‘Today’s arrests are a major development in our investigation and a step towards getting the answers so many people need.’
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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