Exclusive by Jon Clarke and James Bryce
HE allegedly earned millions by persuading unsuspecting investors to part with their hard-earned cash through a series of blacklisted companies in Spain.
Now banned financial advisor Terence Wright is reaping the benefits of his scams by enjoying a luxury lifestyle in France.
The Olive Press can reveal Wright has moved into a sprawling €2 million mansion in the Dordogne region, after spending millions renovating the property.
The British businessman is said to have taken a keen interest in the building work, regularly flying in by private jet to oversee the project.
The property, in Veyrines de Vergt, halfway between Perigueux and Bergerac, has even been nicknamed ‘The Castle’ by locals due to its vast size.
The mansion’s most notable feature is its own stables, which are believed to be for the benefit of Wright’s wife Lesley, who is known to have a keen interest in horses.
He has furnished his lifestyle by buying a second home up the road for staff and two brand new Mercedes cars and a Bentley for him and his wife.
The boss of FSA-blacklisted firms, PFR Services and Cash in Your Pension , told neighbours he has moved because he is sick of Spaniards and Spanish food.
But the truth is his Spanish operation, run out of a house in Alhaurin el Grande, was coming under increasing scrutiny from UK regulators.
“He is a very strange person, very slippery,” one neighbour told the Olive Press.
“The reasons he gave for moving have made a lot of people suspicious, you don’t move to another country at such great expense just because you don’t like the food.”
Another source who worked on the house added: “The renovation has been carried out to the highest and almost incredible luxury standards.
“He loves playing Lord of the Manor and has even bragged to have spent millions on the renovation.
“I’ve seen lots of plush places in my time but this is on a different level.”
The source added: “He is still involved in lots of schemes and has been in and out of Dubai over the last year living the high life.
“He often flies via private jet and usually goes in and out of the UK via Biggin Hill.”
The Olive Press revealed in 2011 how Wright was operating a so-called boiler room in Alhaurin, which cold-called people in the UK and persuaded them to invest in a variety of schemes.
A dossier of his schemes showing he made millions each year was handed to the UK’s Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Despite insisting that he was running a legitimate operation he is not authorised to carry out regulated activities in the UK, including advising on investments.
An FSA spokesman Toby Parker thanked the Olive Press for passing on the documents and confirmed the regulator’s ongoing interest in Wright’s activities.
“The FSA is aware of Wright and is concerned about the type of business he is operating,” he said.
He continued: “You are doing a good job down there in Spain.”
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Sounds like a proper con artist, but has he actually done anything illegal? If Mr Wright is allowed to fly around and enter various countries then he can’t be on any wanted lists. Also, the FSA may have blacklisted him, but they are a shambolic entity themselves and have zero credibility and should be blacklisted themselves.
yes he built dodgy houses in the cartama mountains,
how can men like this stroll around , if he had conned me he wouldnt be walking around grinning.
I am reminded of the saying “a fool and his money are easily parted”. I am a strong believer in karma. Mr Wright will get his come-uppance no doubt.
Would it be in order now that we know where this conman is, to hoist him up by his ankles to the top of that tower until his pips squeak, oh, and then release him?
Fred is correct ( there Ive said it ) phew ………this guy may be on the edge , may be a bit dodgy but obviously not so criminal that the police have an interest ……………in regard to the FSA pot kettle black
Thanks Lou. Mr Wright’s castle is in a tiny village of just 300 people so it should not be hard to track him down, say if some investors want to ask some questions etc.
Oh hi every one, I have it on good info that Mr Wright is being monitored, as one of many he has scammed Ive already given a statement to the police , my understanding as told , his crimes are on such a large scale , pending arrests take time as evidence is gathered, so we wait he and the Mrs will go to jail that’s a cert! sadly we wont be getting our money back ,
Thought I would also like to say , Mr Wright is a con man , he swindled money form me (life savings) also my partner, so we are in a bad way money wise still revenge is best served cold
Like the up dates on mr wright, is that the mrs? Looks Like the scams are paying the plastic surgeon. They will come to a sticky end, karma !
Yes that is his wife! i worked for him years ago and didnt really care for the job, just needed the money, until i realised what he was actually doing then I left him and his sham of a “company”
Hello I have just come across all the write ups regarding Terry Wright, I meet him and he’s dreadful wife in Spain , what a couple! Both had such an alarming out look, I never meet up again , he’s an out and out con man she s delusional thinks wearing designer clothes makes her look younger and owning horses makes her a lady which she clearly is not to be associated with a man who cons millions out of people and thinks its OK!
Both should be in jail , maybe from what I’ve heard that’s not far away