I have recently Spoken to Anil Kohli. Anil appears to be a very reasonable person and has spent over a year trying to raise finance to complete the project and all to of no avail, due to the credit crunch. He advised that contracts have being exchanged on one of the small sites and he has taken charge in Bulgaria (due to a Heart attack of the manager, which he did not find out about for some weeks) , since he is a major shareholder and also to secure his investment. The credit crunch has meant that he has decided to sell all of the land and wishes to refund investors money. The problem is that investors need to secure their investment in the possible event that the sale proceeds are pocketed by the shareholders.          A possible solution is say setting up an bulgarian company, controlled by say John Howell solicitors in London, who hold the shares in trust and then register a charge against the lands to cover investors money and there legal costs. John Howell then issue debenture notes to cover investor funds. Another solution is that the existing bulgarian company (BBTL), which owns the land transfer the company shares to John Howell and when there are sufficient funds to repay the debenture loans. As Anil now controls BBTL he could, if sufficient wealthy, transfer assets into a trust to cover investor funds. In order for any of this to work we need the co-operation of Anil. Clearly if Anil will not co-operate then I think we could fear the worst. It is disappointing that Alan Forsyth has not communicated to his clients what is going on and to come up with a solution. He should take a leaf out of Ready2Invest, in the way they have handled the problems when the developer ran out of funds in Instanbull. Incidenently does anyone know what the legal  position is when clients have paid their £5,000 to the agents and the subsequent paperwork is with BBTL? Does anyone know what commission these agents received and if the commission can be refunded to clients?          

Hi Everyone

I am a bit dubious to say the least with regards to Geebee's response, therefore I am continuing to pursue the areas I previously mentioned.  I can't leave things to chance because so far BBTL has not left me with a warm feeling.  I have heard the same BS from BBTL more than once.  Furthermore if there was an ounce of truth in what was being said, then why on earth do we find ourselves having to constantly chase up BBTL in order to receive an update rather than BBTL keeping us in the loop.

Finally, I am mindful about how much I am prepared to say on this site, but I have started pursuing other options, and will notify the group in due course.

This is my money and I want it back.

Regards

Starliners mail may also offer some reasons for optomism

BBTL's lawyers say

"we were simply enagaged to do the due diligence on the land that BBTL bought around Sofia "

This indicates that at least BBTL acquired some land. Perhaps, If it were an out & out con, no land would have been acquired and all would have vanished after monies had been paid.

False hope maybe but at least BBTL would appear to have assets which we would have a legitimate claim to

RAB

Starliner

I posted a mail earlier about action steps

I suggest that you contact Eversheds (i also provided the link below)

I would use your own personal example and say that others are intestesd in the action

see what they advise in terms of approach & estimated cost

The beauty of this fraud is that BBTL know that individually we are weak & that it is v difficult to organise a group of strangers.

RAB

Hi Everyone

I received this email from the Solicitor who acted as my Power of Attorney in relation to the formation of a company, following my contact with him:-

Thank you for your email.

Yes, we were asked to form and register limited companies for several clients of BBTL. However, I am afraid that our involvement in the relations between BBTL and their clients finishes here. We do not deal and have not dealt with any payments whatsoever (actually, we were simply enagaged to do the due diligence on the land that BBTL bought around Sofia and arrange the papaerwork and also to form several limited companies).

I suppose that if you have paid some money, you have paid it to the right account (the one of BBTL) and not to some agent in the UK and you have done the payment on the basis of some contract. Please, check the contract to see what does it say it terms of cancelation and reimbursement.

Just in case I forwarded your email to the director of the company Mr. Anil Kohli - he should come back to you with an answer as my company is really not involved at all in the relations with the BBTL's customers.

Kind regards,

Alexander Todorov
Partner, Attorney-at-law
-----------------------------------------
Dimitrov, Petrov & Co.
36B Patriarh Evtimii Blvd., fl.4
1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

Hi Rab

Thanks for your response.  I am willing to press ahead with legal action has I am slowly running out of options.

The only think now is determining how many people are on board to take this action and when.

Regards

Pls see my responses below

Are you suggesting that we consider commissioning Eversheds Law Firm to represent our case?           

I am advising that the legal route is the best route to take. Eversheds are a sound, respected firm. My only concern would be as to whether they would take this case on

Do you have any contacts in Eversheds Law Firm who could initially offer free advice on the prospects of taking a case such as ours?

I don’t have any contacts but all law firms operate on the same principle. There is an initial (free) discussion and they then quote for the work. Same as buying double glazing really

I think we have to seriously consider our options.  I have heard of this Law firm before and they appear to be legitimate.

Don’t consider the options for too long, take action!

RAB

hi all

 Just to say it's good to see the recent comments and that I would certainly be interested in any concerted effort to retrieve what we can ( hopefully all of it). I personally have also come to the conclusion that we have been ripped off and that this was always the intent. I also suspect that at the moment that they are doing a 'disappearing act'. Although I am not aware of any, I would have thought that there should be some international organisation (especially within Euro land) that could take on these low lifes and not to leave it to individuals, (although I'm sure some politicians would just see them as being enterprising).

Does anyone know how paulsea got on with his previous legal attempt ?

If there is any group action count me in

kev

Hi Rab

Are you suggesting that we consider commissioning Eversheds Law Firm to represent our case?

Do you have any contacts in Eversheds Law Firm who could initially offer free advice on the prospects of taking a case such as ours?

I think we have to seriously consider our options.  I have heard of this Law firm before and they appear to be legitimate.

What do the others think?

Re message below

I should also add that Eversheds are not my employer so no conflict of interest

My firm is not active in Sofia

Rgds

RAB

I work for a City law firm, in a business / non legal role

Eversheds are a well respected international firm and they have an office / associate in Sofia

www.eversheds.com/uk/home/offices/sofia.page

RAB

Hi Everyone

I have always said that we need to utilise all available resources in order to succeed with the recovery of our money from BBTL.  For this reason I have registered with BBC Watchdog and recently written to the Bulgarian EU Consumer Protection.  I will update you as soon as I get a response.

Remember talk is cheap, unlike the loss of our money, therefore lets start to put some of these ideas into action.  All the ideas are valied and can be used as a vehicle to expose this scam.  Until we try them out we dont know how successful they will be.  I have reached the stage whereby I am willing to run with what I have got in order to claim back what is rightfully mine.

However I am unclear whether we should use an English speaking solicitor in Bulgaria because that is where the company is located.  I happen to have a list of English speaking solicitors based in Bulgaria but I haven't got a clue about how reputable they are.

As far as taking legal action is concerned I am more than willing to pool my resources to push ahead with this matter.

Regards

Tariq

I agree on a 2 pronged approach. Legal & Media.

So how many people are serious about this?

Obvioulsy you & myself (plus my investment partner)

Can we get a list together? I suppose we then need to understand the level of the fraud (i.e the total sum invested by the group) and then collate our documentation. we can then go to the lawyers & media.

FYI Our investment was £5k. we always thought it was high risk but had a punt

RAB

In reply to RAB's message I do agree that employing lawyers is a good idea and joining forces would help share the cost, this is without doubt but I would suggest that we need a more pro-active approach to this problem. We need to locate other victims of BBTL and encourage them to join us, we urgently need to tell the press about our plight and of the activities of BBTL. This has a two fold effect, 1, it might hopefully stop other people loosing money through this scam and 2, it hits BBTL were it hurts, in the pocket.

We should contact the Police urgently and the BBC Watchdog, this is not instead of fighting through the Courts, we need to take both approaches.

I am a firm believer that naming and shaming companies like BBTL and exposing them through the media, brings them to the attention of not only the public but the relevant authorities, people that can help us, it does make a difference. If you watch any of the consumer programmes on TV you will have seen this for yourself.

So yes, some of what you say is correct but we need to take a more assertive approach than the one you suggest.

I am not angry as you suggest in your message, that anger disappeared a long time ago, I am simply determined to get my money back and that of everyone else that has lost money to BBTL and to do what ever I can to bring this about.

Tariq

I understand your anger but what you are advocating will prove fruitless

You need to get a group of people together to fund a legal action against BBTL. Or at least get expert legal advice as to the position

I suggest

1) Set up an email account and get those interested to mail it by a certain date

2) Set up a mailing group which agrees, in principle, to fund legal action

3) Contact a GOOD lawyer and request an initial opinion & estimated price

4) Divide the cost amongst the group

Watchdog, picket lines at Allso's house etc is just noise. It needs proper legal attention

Richard

Having read all the previous posts here it is apparent that there are enough of us to collectively make life difficult for BBTL and its directors. With a concerted effort we can get our money returned. The first thing we need to do is to bring this fraudulent business to the publics attention; it seems that bad publicity is the only way to make companies like BBTL take notice of us. Lets be realistic, this appears to be a premeditated fraud and we have been scammed, we must fight this.

I have given BBTL my children’s inheritance and yet Simon Allso drives a brand new top of the range Lexus bought no doubt with our money. Allso who has spent four years in prison for fraud, has been banned from running companies is responsible for asset stripping and closing many companies appears to be making a career out of causing misery to many innocent people.

I read in one forum that he engineered a situation when having taken over and closed a company he exploited a legal loophole allowing him not to have to pay redundancy payments to long standing members of staff, this apparently caused an employee about retire to commit suicide, this shows what kind of person we are up against.

I propose the following course of action:

1 We trawl the internet for other forums that have a BBTL/Simon Allso thread and try to bring other BBTL customers/victims here to this forum. The more of us under one roof the better. It will be easier to coordinate our attack.If we all spent a few minuets a week doing this I am sure we could find many, many places to leave messages.

2 We at some point travel to Hampshire and visit the home of Simon Allso accompanied with as much press as we can attract. We should contact local as well as national press/TV and radio.

3 We should contact the Police/BBC Watchdog/ Government departments/ Lawyers/ Lisa Buckingham of the Daily Mail and make as much noise about this as possible.

4 We need photographs and up-to-date intelligence on BBTL and its directors. For example has Simon Allso had a heart attack, my understanding is that this is yet another lie. We should get a copy the accounts and a copy of the the register of interests.

Lastly please remember that collectively we stand a better chance of winning, my lawyers made a good point recently, BBTL is run by people living in the UK, they are subject to the same rules and laws as us, ok they are trading in Bulgaria but they have houses and assets here. Bulgaria being part of Europe has to act if we bring the Police or other legal pressure on BBTL there are organisations out there that can help us, for example if you are the victim of theft you call the Police, so we should all ask to speak to a CID or  Fraud Squad officer or even call Interpol, the Bulgarian authorities and register a complaint, if we all do it we win, if we do nothing BBTL win. Please message me at anytime.Tariq

Surely the first things to do for any action group would be to:

Get a mailing list of members together

Appoint a leader

Seek legal advice in the UK (splitting the cost)

I am happy to get fully invloved but I do not wish to lead the effort as my initial investment was minimal.

Rgds

RAB

Hi,

I strongly recommend we form a group in order to try to retrieve the money. The media / police / watchdog will not take much notice of an individual, but I feel a group will have much more clout.

BBTL are hoping that most of us will just give up, Please be aware that although Simon Allso allegedly no longer manages BBTL following his alleged heart attack, that he is still looking to make a profit from this fiasco, and his wife still has stake in this 'investment'.

So the more clients that pull out, the bigger the profit for the directors of the company, and what is to stop them using this money to set up another company ?BBTL has told us that their assets far exceed their debts.

 Remember, the directorsy are banned from setting up a company in the UK , but can easily set a company up abroad, and then use agents to sell their 'investment' to citizens of the UK, and it is very easy not to reveal their identity :  Then , later on, the  agents will not take any  responsibility for any failings in the development, and the developer will deny any responsibility for the tactics were used by the agent in order to sell this development, so neither parties  will be accountable - I have seen this  used more than once.

I will be away for about a month, but please feel free send a  private message to me, or any other active member of the group and hopefully we can form an alliance, or alternatively sit back and let the individuals involved in this take your money and enjoy their early retirement, free from recrimination.

regards

Phil.

Hi all again

Yes Phil I think it would be a good idea to meet up at the house with as many people including press as possible.

Count me in!

Hi Phil

There was an error in my last message. It should read:-

That I contacted my agent, again in Spring 2007.

Regards

Hi Phil

My Agent had the audacity to send me details regarding development in Dubai and Mumbai, as if I would be that stupid to trust this agent after my previous experience and as you have mentioned I dont know what BBTL connection is with the above development..

Regarding the allocation queue.  I registered with BBTL in July 2006, and was told in September 2006 that there had been a delay in building.  Accordingly, those people in front of the queue (approx. 150) were still awaiting allocation which would mean that I was looking at the end of the year before being allocated.

In January 2007, I contacted my agent, again to be told that because Bulgaria had entered the EU market the pipes that were initially installed under ground in Vldaya failed to meet EU regulations , consequently the pipes would need to be removed and re-installed creating futher delays. 

I contacted my agent, again in Spring 2006 as my anxiety started to heighten, this time I requested full reinbursement of my £5,000, only to be told that I had nothing to worry about because the development was still going ahead and that I would be missing out on a great opportunity, and a chance to capitalise on the price increase in relation to the property market in Bulgaria.  furthermore if i decided to pull out now I would lose half my money.

My agent kept giving me this hardcore sale which I realise now was more for his benefit than my own.

Regards

Starliner32

Hi Starliner32,

I see that Villarama still has the 100% deal on their website. I see that they are also selling property in Mumbai, I wonder if this was arranged through our current director, I know that he has interests in India, and often agents selling Petarch, also sell Mumbai, maybe its just a coincidence ?

 As a matter of interest, how long have you been on the allocation queue, and what information did you receive when joining the allocation queue, because I was informed in September 2006  that building work was 4 months ahead of schedule at Vladaya and Petarch was looking the same. I was also informed that Petarch had building permission.

When I started having grave doubts at the beginning of 2007, after finding out how far behind BBTL were ,  I was told it was my state of mind that was the problem and it was only in my opinion that I had been lied to.

Hi Everyone

I personally believe that my Agent should take responsibility for his action because he had claimed that he visited Sofia on more than one occason and in my opinion he was fully aware that the investment had major teething problems.  However he continued for several months to supply me with false hope and encouragement, for this reason I have called his agency Villarama Property into disrepute by informing BBC Watchdog of its involvement.  If BBC Watchdog takes this on board the name of my agent will also be disclosed with all the relevant information.

I have no issue whatsoever when it comes to exposing my agent.

Regards

There was obviously some horrendous failings in the due diligence from the agents involved in this investment. I suspect none of them did background checks into the directors , or checked on the financial state of BBTL, or checked if building permission had been granted. It was obvious from early on in the project,  BBTL were far behind schedule and yet these agents still marketed this product, promoting that investors would recieve houses within a year - if not sooner !!

Alan forsyth and Robert Gavin are both established agents that give out lessons in property investment, I think they should be called to account for the failings . I believe our first avenue should be to pressurise these agents to account for their behaviour and ask what assistance they will provide to help us redeem our money. If they continue to sit on the wall and do nothing, I suggest that we go on every property forum, and share our experiences. These people spend a lot of time and money building up their credibility.

I am to sick too of the lies and total lack of information from BBTL.  Since February 2008, I have received  an email nearly  every month from the director of BBTL, Anil Kohli, saying that he is in Bulgaria, finalising the sale ( of what, has never been disclosed ) and will be informing clients when funds will be released. In all that time he has made every effort to avoid answering questions, all I ever get is the promise of answers 'By the end of the day you will be getting the information you require '      'Wednesday I will be reverting to you'      'By the end of the weekend you will have the answers ' and so it carries on week after week, month after month, no explanations, no accountability, no apology, nothing.

There are over 200 investors that have been ripped off by BBTL, I wish more of them would come forward.

I suggest that we have a meeting outside Simon Allso's residence. I am trying to find out where Anil Kohli currently lives, I believe it is in the London area.

Lisa buckingham of the daily mail has written articles about Simon Allso, Anil Kohli and BBTL,  maybe we should all contact her, I know that I have much proof of the lies and deception.

Does anyone else have any ideas ?

Hi Everyone

I did receive the email in question and it does appear that BBTL is repeatedly using the same rubbish excuse. 

Time for action

Regards

Hi Tariq2,

Do your remember receiving this email in June 2007, this is how BBTL passed on the information that the British Government had closed down the main agent in the UK , I dont know if it is just me, but I didn't notice an improvement in the communication between the clients and BBTL

Dear all,

Greetings; from the World Trade Centre’s office of BBTL in Sofia.

This is just a quick e-mail to let you all know your next newsletter will be on its way to you shortly. In there you would find information on our progress at Princess Vladaya development, the BBTL’s press conference

 & the reverberation in Bulgarian mass media followed by the launch of our sales & marketing campaign at the Hilton as well as the new architectural designs at Peturch Riverside Development .

To those of you still not aware, we’ve been going through some structural changes. In order to improve the communication between you as a client and the Developer, we would like to inform you that from now on should you need any information or updates on our progress, please feel free to contact us

Hi Everyone

Is there not some sort of governing body similar to that of an ombudsman who is charged with scrutinizing development businesses in Bulgaria?  Bulgaria is now part of the EU surely a body that protects or defends the interest of individuals must exist.

Is anyone aware of this?

Regards

I sent this email in May 2007 :

Hello Simon,

In the revised client time scale, which was only sent out very recently,  it states that I should expect to receive a property shell within 12 to 14 months from joining the allocation queue, which would be around September - October this year.  But the information from Iva states that building work at Petarch is only envisaged commencing within 3 - 6 months.

Surely anyone with an ounce of common sense can realise that I am not going to be receiving a property shell within the revised client time schedule, especially as my allocation numbers are 487 -500.

So say building work starts in November ( assume the worse, as you said yourself delays should be expected in Bulgaria ) and you are capable of laying one foundation a day, 5 days a week ?, and then take the weather into consideration and the possiblities of further delays etc, - well you do the maths, and looking at the Vladaya developement so far I would even question the 'one foundation a day'.

And now you tell me that my properties may not even be built at the Petarch riverside developement, so hence expect even further delays.

My experience so far highlights a breakdown in communication between developer and the agents.

 thanks

Phil.

this is the response :

Insolvency Service (National)

BuyBulgaria limited in Hampshire closed down by High Court

A company who promoted the sale of yet to be built buy to let houses in Bulgaria has been closed down by the High Court following an investigation by the Companies Investigation Branch of the Insolvency Service.

BuyBulgaria Limited ("BuyBulgaria") acted as the main UK agent for a Bulgarian property development company, Bulgaria BTL OOD ("BTL").

BuyBulgaria, operating from its trading premises in Fareham, Hampshire, started to promote the sale of proposed property developments in late 2005 on behalf of BTL. BuyBulgaria developed a sub-agent network, including overseas property sales agents to make direct sales to clients across the UK and Ireland. Clients paid a £5,000 joining fee in order to gain access to the proposed development scheme, in order for BTL to incorporate a company on behalf of the client in Bulgaria, in accordance with requirements for non Bulgarian citizens to undertake property purchase transactions, and to allow the client to join an allocation queue for yet to be built properties offered for sale by Bulgaria BTL.

BTL used a BuyBulgaria bank account to collect in its £5,000 fees from UK and Irish clients. In the 16 month period November 2005 to March 2007 BuyBulgaria had recorded over 350 sales, and banked over £1.6 million. By March 2007 no properties had been built for any known UK and Irish clients who had agreed to purchase homes in Bulgaria. BuyBulgaria acted as banker for BTL transferring money to a BTL bank account in Bulgaria.

Hi ALL

Here is a news release from the Central Office Of Information. It relates to the illegal activities and subsequent closure of the marketing arm of the BBTL scam This company uses the same address as BBTL and both addresses are registered with companies hose as registered offices. This proves that Simon Allso and BBTL are slowly being shut down. We need to keep up the pressure.

Insolvency Service (National)

Hi All

In reply to the last message from philg93yrt I think this is a fantastic idea. We should meet up outside Simon Allso’s house with as much press as we can interest in this story, I will be there and so will my family. It is the kind of headline grabbing item that the press love. Personally loosing my money has caused me some hardship it was money I was investing in order to make a return, I am not rich enough to have a holiday home I believed I could make a decent profit on my investment. When I learnt that Simon Allso is driving a new top of the range luxury car I despaired, it is not only morally wrong   but more importantly legally wrong. I will fight to my last breath to recover all of the money owed not only to me but all the other victims of this horrible scam.

I have been told by the current director that they have sold sufficient assets to be able to refund all clients, and  money will be transferred over the next few months.

But I also have many concerns, BBTL's track record so far has been appalling. I have asked on numerous occasions for evidence to be provided of the alledged sale, my requests have been ignored - the reason given was they were concerned that information may be leaked on the internet , which could jepodise the deal, which I find laughable , considering what is being said about BBTL at the moment, are they worried about being caught telling the truth .......it would be a first.

I am mystified why BBTL ignore letters sent via solicitors , surely if they have sufficient funds to repay clients, why not provide evidence to the solicitors.

I am tired of the lies, excuses and failed promises and not even having the decency to provide evidence that BBTL are able to follow through with their latest promise.

 I would be interested in meeting up with other clients ( victims ). I suggest we meet up outside Simon's house, perhaps even call the local paper.

Have just received following email from agent, and for those that did not buy through ajpropertyeurope :

Dear All

 

After a very difficult year I would like to bring you up to date with the information that I was given last week by BBTL.  As many of you know and have discovered for yourselves it has been extremely difficult to get up to date information from the offices of BBTL in Sofia, indeed the communications have been very poor and we have struggled to make regular contact via e-mail, phone and even text.  However I was told (verbally) last week by one of the Directors of BBTL that the company had found a buyer for their assets and a deal has been agreed.  I was also told that they are waiting for confirmation of dates when the funds are expected to be transferred from the new buyer to BBTL.

 

It has been our belief all along that BBTL will make full refunds to all clients and it seems that the only way they can do this is by selling their assets, which depending on your view point has to be a positive thing at this stage.

 

I have to stress that most of the information I have received has been verbal with the exception of a couple of e-mails from BBTL that didn’t really confirm much and a mail from their Solicitors stating that they do have the assets they claim and in their opinion clients will receive a full refund.

 

Whilst we as a company having also suffered highly both financially and emotionally have long since made every effort to distance ourselves from BBTL,  we still believe that they will do the right thing and honour all clients with their full refunds.  That said we have tried in the face of shear frustration to maintain a democratic relationship with them in order to help see this process through and hopefully many will appreciate that I personally have always made myself available to any client both via e-mail, office phone and mobile phone, often at inconvenient times! (I once received a call on my mobile whilst I was at my Sister in law’s wedding reception and of course took the call outside which as I recall lasted almost an hour, my Wife went mad as I missed the photo’s and am now not included on the wedding pictures!)  I would though like to thank the vast majority of clients that I have spoken and communicated with for their understanding of our position.

 

I am hoping for everyone’s sake that this latest information can hold some substance and that it will bring an end to a very negative period of frustration, anger and upset and that everyone will at least get ALL their money back.  Speaking of money...and hopefully everyone will appreciate, that is also what we all work for and our commissions from the ultimate sale of the houses that were to be built by BBTL!!..... Well, they will never be built!

 

I was told that BBTL will be issuing a statement as soon as they receive confirmation of the funds transfer.  As soon as I receive it I will forward it on to everyone to make sure it is received by all.

 

Kind regards

 

Regarding Simon Allso, my information is current; he is in good health, living at 2 Cardinal Mews, Andover Hampshire (as recently as Monday this week). According to neighbours interviewed he goes away for the odd weekend but that is it. From what I have been told it seems likely that he going to abandon BBTL and all of us soon. That of course means he will walk away with our money. I think it might be worth a call to the Police. The serious crime squad or fraud squad might be able to help us.

I am very interested to hear about the activities of Simon Allso, I was under the impression that he was laid up after suffering a heart attack, and was living in Cyprus ?

I Would be interested in hearing from the investor that purchased 20 properties at Petarch.

Hi All

Watchdog is indeed a practical step to take it will hopefully make other potential victims of this scam aware of the situation and hopefully they wont make the same mistakes as us. My situation has remained static since my first posting here, my money has been taken, no property built and no refund offered despite my lawyers getting involved. The directors of BBTL are incredibly arrogant, they assume we are all stupid and we will not fight to have our money returned, how wrong they are.

My lawyers have employed a firm of private detectives on my behalf to look into BBTL in a little more detail. Tim Manion is a long established business partner of Simon Allso, together they have run a string of dodgy companies. Simon Allso has just taken receipt of a brand new top of the range Lexus, not bad for someone with no visible UK income, no doubt this very expensive car was bought with our money. He lives in Andover Hampshire and it appears is in process of staring a new company, perhaps he will be bailing out of BBTL in the near future. If we fight this collectively we stand a good chance seeing justice done and getting our hard earned money back, the more of us that contact Watchdog the better. Do not think for a moment that this is anything other than a money making scam, we have all been conned.

I have cut and pasted parts of an email I received in August 2006, no wonder the British government shut down the main agent, Tim Mannion !, i just wonder why other agents were allowed to continue to sell this 'investment'

I believe that the agents did not have their eye on the ball but on their potential commission, There seem to have been some fundamental mistakes made by all involved , including myself ,  such as checking  the backgrounds of directors, verifying that BBTL had planning permission for their sites, checking on the financial state of BBTL, asking to see proof of current developments  and  signing such a flimsy contract  that was so open to abuse, I am suprised that property gurus such as Robert Gavin and alan forsythe could have been taken in.

 I invested £70,000 in this project, think I need my head testing, this is most of my life savings.

Hi everyone

My thoughts around the action we should take against BBTL is two fold.  Firstly, It was previously suggested that we contact BBC Watchdog, I think this is a good idea, therefore I intend to do so today.  However it won't be until Autumn before the programme is aired.  Secondly, collective legal action is the best approach in my opinion in that it sends out a more effective message to the court and it demonstrates the enormity of the problem. That is providing the court will permit this.

It is now a matter of considering how many of us are willing to take this forward to its legal stage, seeking proper legal guidance and establishing the main perpetrators involved in this misappropriation of funds.  I feel that those of us who have gone via agencies may need to determine the role the agents have played in all of this.  It is my understanding that an agents role is to act in the best interest of its clients which includes ensuring that all transactions are conducted in the correct and proper manner.

Regards

Hello

We are ready now to say enough is enough and would like to proceed legally - anybody already doing so please advise on your actions - or is it better to try and form a group to proceed or individually.

Hi

 Just to say I have not been contacted by BBTL recently, I have been promised a refund several times to no avail, and unfortunately this writing to the investors by the end of June is just  more b*ll s**t. I certainly agree with starliner it's time to do what we can, has anyone had any success recently in getting money back? I would be happy to join any concerted effort. I would imagine there has to now be a legal case against them as they must now be seen to have broken their side of the contract.

kev