FCA Charges Individual with Unauthorized Investment Scheme

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has charged John Burford, sole director of Financial Trading Strategies Limited (FTS), with operating an unauthorized investment business and dishonestly misleading investors.

According to the FCA, Mr Burford allegedly accepted funds from over 100 investors between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2023, advising and managing investments on their behalf without proper authorization. The scheme is suspected to have generated over £1 million.

Mr Burford promoted paid subscription services through FTS’s website, offering daily trade alerts which gave advice on trading opportunities as well as investments in 3 'Tramline' funds.

The FCA further alleges he repeatedly misrepresented the value of these funds and concealed trading losses. 

Mr Burford is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 23, 2025.

Steve Smart, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, said: “Fighting financial crime is central to our new strategy and we will take action against criminal behaviour which harms consumers and damages the integrity of our markets. We allege that Mr Burford sought to defraud his clients for personal gain.”