In 2017, a 45-year-old fraudster named Kieran Pascal convinced a successful businesswoman to hand over more than £400,000 in a cruel investment scam. He introduced himself as a skilled computer programmer and investor, promising high returns on her capital. At first, she believed his smooth talk and glossy presentations. He drafted a contract that guaranteed growth without mentioning any risk. So, she transferred £154,521 in November, confident she would see profits in a few months. When those returns failed to materialise, Pascal persuaded her to invest another £250,021. By then, he had already spent her savings on Amazon gift cards and exotic foreign holidays.
Expert Deception and False Trust
Pascal engineered every detail to win his victim’s trust. He shared fake software screenshots and spoke fluently about market trends. He never revealed his real intentions, and she never suspected deceit. When she asked for updates, he blamed market delays. He even claimed that another investor had stalled the deal. Only in January 2019 did he confess that no partner existed and that he had handled all of the transactions alone. His admission shattered her confidence and revealed the scale of his betrayal.
The financial blow devastated the victim and her family. She had sold her business to enjoy more family time, only to see her savings vanish. She moved into cheaper rented accommodation and cut back on essentials. Stress and anxiety forced her to seek ongoing mental health support. Detective Sergeant Hollie Say of Surrey Police noted that Pascal’s lies caused “extreme emotional and financial difficulties” for the victim and her relatives. Even after reporting the scam, she remained in contact with Pascal until December 2020, hoping for restitution that never came.
Law Enforcement and Sentencing
Scammers like Pascal rarely act alone. Fraud networks often pass victim details among members, tailoring new scams to each target. Once Pascal drained her funds, he sold her contact information to other fraudsters. These fraudsters use the victim’s data to launch follow-up scams—such as fake legal claims or romance cons—knowing she already trusted strangers online. This coordinated approach increases the chance of further losses. Victims face repeated attacks, each exploiting their previous trauma. Law enforcement agencies warn that this “relay” of personal information fuels a cycle of deception and deepens victims’ vulnerability.
Surrey Police investigated the investment scam by tracing Pascal’s bank records across nine separate accounts. They uncovered lavish spending habits that included luxury travel and high-value online purchases. In April 2025, a jury convicted Pascal of two counts of fraud by false representation and two counts of fraud. At Guildford Crown Court on 15 April, Judge Lisa Smith sentenced him to five years and eleven months in prison. The judge highlighted the calculated nature of his betrayal and its devastating impact. “He engineered a web of lies to exploit a hard-working victim,” she stated, emphasising that such offences warrant severe punishment.
Protecting Yourself
Verify Credentials
Always check a financial adviser’s registration on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register. Call the firm’s official number to confirm identities before sending money.
Question Guaranteed Returns
No legitimate investment promises fixed, risk-free profits. Treat such guarantees as scams and ask for detailed risk disclosures in writing.
Seek Independent Reviews
Consult an accountant or solicitor before large transfers. A second opinion can reveal hidden clauses or unrealistic projections.
Use Secure Payment Methods
Transfer funds via professional escrow services or corporate accounts, not personal bank accounts. This extra layer adds oversight.
Stay Vigilant Against Follow-Up Scams
Ignore unsolicited calls or messages, even if you’ve reported a scam. Scammers share victim details, so assume any unexpected contact is suspicious.
Building Public Awareness
This case highlights the urgent need for broader public education on investment fraud. Banks should partner with community centres to host workshops explaining common scams. Regulators can mandate that financial institutions send clear, jargon-free fraud warnings whenever customers initiate large transfers. Social media campaigns can share real-life examples to illustrate red flags. By empowering the public with knowledge, we reduce scammers’ chances of success and improve early reporting rates.
For the victim, Pascal’s imprisonment offers partial closure but cannot undo the damage. She now rebuilds her life under FCA guidance, exploring legitimate, low-risk investments. She also volunteers with local support groups, sharing her story to warn others. Her resilience shows that recovery from an investment scam involves both financial restitution and psychological healing. As we learn from her ordeal, we must strengthen safeguards across banks, regulators, and communities. Only a united approach—combining robust security measures, public awareness, and swift legal action—can break the fraud cycle and protect vulnerable individuals from teams of deceitful criminals.
