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Two males have been charged after an investigation into suspected fraud at a collapsed funeral plan supplier.
The Critical Fraud Workplace (SFO) mentioned it has charged Richard Wells, 39, residing in Spain, and Neil Debenham, 43, of Norwich, with conspiracy to defraud.
It comes after an investigation by the SFO into potential fraud at funeral plan enterprise Secure Palms and father or mother agency SHP Capital Holdings.
Mr Wells is the previous director of SHP Capital whereas Mr Debenhams was a senior government on the enterprise.
Secure Palms Plans was a pre-paid funeral plan enterprise which collapsed into administration in 2022.
The SFO mentioned the costs relate to the failure of the enterprise after it was unable to safe crucial regulatory approval for the continuing sale of its plans.
Round 46,000 folks had purchased plans earlier than the corporate collapsed, anticipating a contribution in direction of future funeral prices.
After the collapse of Secure Palms, it was now not capable of uphold its pledge to make sure that somebody’s funeral was paid for once they died.
FRP mentioned collectors of the corporate have claimed round £70.6 million.
The SFO initially launched an investigation into the enterprise in 2023.
Emma Luxton, director of operations on the SFO, mentioned: “This scheme marketed peace of thoughts to tens of 1000’s of individuals, lots of them weak.
“That promise dissolved when it collapsed, leaving plan holders uncovered, out of pocket and unsure about their funeral preparations.
“At this time’s fees mark a crucial step in our investigation.”
The lads are attributable to seem at Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom on February 5.
