Five charged in £13m solar panel fraud investigation
Five men, including three former directors of a Manchester business which sold solar panel systems, have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud following an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
Stephen Wilson, Gary McVey, Robert Ross, Niall Hastie and Kenneth Reid all attended police stations in the North of England yesterday and have been charged and bailed to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on April 25.
David Diaz
The case concerns the selling of solar panels to customers of Solar Energy Savings, a company formerly based in the North West, and the offer of a ‘360 Returns Scheme’ promising the return of 100% of their purchase monies on maturity.
PV Solar Direct Limited and Ultra Energy Global Limited were then also used to generate further sales of solar panels. The suspected fraud is believed to have created many victims, the SFO said, the majority of whom are older people, estimated to have together lost over £13m.
Two further British nationals, Ludovic Black (also known as Victor Black) and David Diaz (also known as David Black and David Stark), are still being sought by the Serious Fraud Office.
Ludovic Black and his brother David Diaz, former directors of Solar Energy Savings Limited, failed to attend Runcorn and Blacon police stations in Cheshire on February 28.
Both men were last known to have addresses in the Cheshire and Greater Manchester area.
Any members of the public who have information relating to the current whereabouts of either man can contact the SFO, in confidence, on 0207 084 4806 or at solar@sfo.gsi.gov.uk
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
