By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning We often say that even the darkest events in life can carry the seeds of purpose. That purpose, when nurtured, becomes a gift we give to others. Few embody this truth more powerfully than Ayleen Charlotte. Ayleen was thrust into the public eye through the 2022 Netflix documentary … Continue reading From Victim to Visionary: How One Survivor Is Redefining Corporate Compassion After Fraud
Tag: fraud
💻 Crypto Scams & the Law: What You Need to Know About the UK’s Digital Asset Reform
Q: Why is the Law Commission’s latest proposal important for victims of crypto scams?A: The Law Commission’s June 2025 proposal introduces freestanding information orders — a new legal tool that allows victims to access critical information about their stolen crypto assets before committing to a costly legal claim. This could be a game-changer, reducing upfront … Continue reading 💻 Crypto Scams & the Law: What You Need to Know About the UK’s Digital Asset Reform
When Silence is Complicity: The Institutional Refusal to Confront Financial Crime
By Steve Conley Founder, Academy of Life Planning | Advocate for Financial Justice Across the Isle of Man and Malta, a disturbing pattern has emerged—one that undermines public trust, discredits regulatory systems, and leaves thousands of victims in the wake of financial devastation. The pattern is this: credible, corroborated claims of financial crime are being … Continue reading When Silence is Complicity: The Institutional Refusal to Confront Financial Crime
Guarding the Rule of Law in the Face of Financial Power: The UK’s Crossroads Moment
By Steve Conley Founder, Academy of Life Planning | Get SAFE | Transparency Task Force Ambassador In today’s political economy, the greatest threats to the rule of law often arise not from overt illegality, but from a deep entanglement between finance and state power—where policy is shaped less by democratic will and more by private … Continue reading Guarding the Rule of Law in the Face of Financial Power: The UK’s Crossroads Moment
The Blame Game: How UK Regulators Are Failing Victims of Pension Fraud
When Responsibility Becomes a Hot Potato Victims of pension fraud—often robbed of their life savings and left emotionally scarred—expect at the very least one thing from the authorities: accountability. Instead, what they get is a game of regulatory pass-the-parcel. As exposed through recent correspondence shared by campaigners, victims who report fraud find themselves bounced between … Continue reading The Blame Game: How UK Regulators Are Failing Victims of Pension Fraud
How UK Regulators Became Silent Partners in a Decade of Pension Fraud
Why the FSCS, FCA, and Action Fraud must face public scrutiny for their failure to protect the people they serve For more than a decade, pension savers have been quietly robbed—of money, of trust, and of justice. Yet, the regulators charged with safeguarding them have not only failed to stop the fraud, they’ve arguably enabled … Continue reading How UK Regulators Became Silent Partners in a Decade of Pension Fraud
Stay One Step Ahead: Protect Yourself from Fraud in 2025
Fraud has become the most prevalent crime in the UK, affecting millions and causing significant financial and emotional distress. Understanding the current landscape and learning how to protect yourself is crucial. The Current Landscape of Fraud in the UK Recent data reveals that fraud constitutes approximately 40% of all crimes in England and Wales, with … Continue reading Stay One Step Ahead: Protect Yourself from Fraud in 2025
Why It’s Time to Stop Fraud Shaming
Fraud is the most commonly experienced crime in the UK, with millions of incidents reported each year. Yet, beyond the financial loss, victims often carry an additional, unseen burden: the shame and embarrassment of having been deceived. This emotional weight can prevent victims from seeking help, reporting the crime, or even talking about their experience. … Continue reading Why It’s Time to Stop Fraud Shaming
The Dark Side of Financial Trust: A Parallel Between St James’s Place Practices and Coercive Manipulation
In the world of financial services, trust is the cornerstone of client-adviser relationships. However, recent revelations about practices at St James's Place (SJP) bring to light a disturbing parallel between financial exploitation and more insidious forms of coercive manipulation seen in other contexts, such as grooming gangs. While the comparison may seem stark, the underlying … Continue reading The Dark Side of Financial Trust: A Parallel Between St James’s Place Practices and Coercive Manipulation
Speaking Up for Integrity in Financial Services: A Necessary Stand
Recently, Phil Bray, a financial adviser marketing support agent, voiced his discomfort with public criticism of peers and competitors within the financial services industry. In his post, Phil argued that such criticism could alienate potential clients and tarnish the reputation of the profession as a whole. While I understand his perspective, I must respectfully disagree … Continue reading Speaking Up for Integrity in Financial Services: A Necessary Stand
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