Reply to: Darren Upton goes down for 6 years

[d000hg]

They dont like accountants in jail. I was watching this documentary about one, and 'the sisters' used to hold him down and bum him up. He only escaped in the end by chiselling his way out with a tiny rock hammer.

Did you rent that movie because you thought it was a porno?

[MarillionFan]

Blimey! ^^^

Oh well, it's safe to say Darren is probably going down for a pack of smokes right about now.

That, or he's set up a Ponzi scheme in the west wing of Strangeways

[BillHicksRIP]

Blimey! ^^^

Oh well, it's safe to say Darren is probably going down for a pack of smokes right about now.

[ZARDOZ]

It's all coming out now

Northumberland trainee expelled from ACCA after masquerading as fully-qualified accountant - 04 Feb 2000 - Accountancy Age

[ZARDOZ]

Why would you want to leave as their website says "we continue to build on our enviable reputation for providing excellent advice and first class service to our business and personal clients alike."

Having said that, when looking closely you can find a link to Darren Upton via Freedom. That Darren Upton convicted of Fraud. The judge said “You were thoroughly dishonest and motivated by greed. This was a gross breach of's trust, it was planned from the offset and fraudulent from the offset.” Imprisoned Accounting can't be far away.

[shelby68]

FSA Monies owed by Upton

Well I for one will be moving my accounts now it's all sorted, I don't feel like supporting his wife and kid whilst he's in the nick and he still owes me money (which in all likely hood I'll never see again)

Anyone know what's happening with the money he owed to people from his ponzi financial trading scheme?

He still owes me 15k and I can't get any response from the FSA when I mail them about it?

[SueEllen]

PS At the time I found out (around 4 weeks after he did it) my bank said the HMRC can recall the funds from the wrong account, guess what? They wouldn't!

Moneybox is just one idea there are a few other broadsheet newspapers that may be interested. You just need to contact them.

If that doesn't work post the parts you think people would be interested on the moneysavingexpert forums as I've seen some posts from their picked up and published in newspapers.

[eek]

I'd definitely be concentrating on that one if I were you. Did you submit written evidence to HMRC?

HMRC Negligence? Lack of due diligence?

A good old fashioned public outing on Money Box might be the best bet though - shame them into doing the right thing.

Money Box would be a very good idea. There are HMRC screwups here that really need to be exposed to the wider public.

[Sysman]

This is uncomfortably reminiscent of the accountant who effed up my books one year, landing me with a tax bill that was way too high. He went bankrupt too, but he still had enough to park a brand new Land Rover outside the local pub several evenings a week. I was apparently the lucky one who didn't actually part with any money.

[Sysman]

PS At the time I found out (around 4 weeks after he did it) my bank said the HMRC can recall the funds from the wrong account, guess what? They wouldn't!

I'd definitely be concentrating on that one if I were you. Did you submit written evidence to HMRC?

HMRC Negligence? Lack of due diligence?

A good old fashioned public outing on Money Box might be the best bet though - shame them into doing the right thing.

[Bagpuss]

Just because someone or something is regulated doesn't mean that regulatory body will do something until it's too late.

Part of the problem is people don't know what regulators exist, don't know how to raise a complaint, or they have to go through a lengthy complaints procedure before they take can complain to the regulator.

Part of the problem in Darren Upton's case was:
1. A loophole where he was able to abuse HMRC electronic systems and HMRC have no duty of care.
2. A bank that allowed him to set up an account with the name "HMRC"

BTW has anyone who has suffered from his actions got in touch with someone like Paul Lewis from Moneybox? As even the bank issue is one that needs highlighting.

Agree,

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but Darren ticked every box of what one my reasonably want:

Member of ACCA
Recommended by PCG
Covered by appropriate insurance
Recommended by contractors on this site
Established in this sector

I sent no money to him EVER other than my monthly fee.


As for the account, I'm not sure it was called HMRC, when I got his main con email with the wrong account details, I recalled them as being similar to his account (Uptons) and when I checked it was an account I used to pay my monthly fee into. Now it can still work because (according to Cater Allen) banks do not usually check the account name in electronic transfers they just go by sort code and account number. This ties up with how he conned 'me' by asking HMRC to refund me as follows

<my co name>
his account sort code and account number.

PS At the time I found out (around 4 weeks after he did it) my bank said the HMRC can recall the funds from the wrong account, guess what? They wouldn't!

[SueEllen]

Maybe I should be checking they have P.I. insurance, and that I could claim if needed when I choose accountants for my ltd co work.

It is a shame they do not have to all be chartered, and do not have a body like the Law Society. Even "Accountants Ombudsman" that they all have to pay membership of, and provide copies of their P.I. policy.

Solicitors are well regulated in this kind of way.

Just because someone or something is regulated doesn't mean that regulatory body will do something until it's too late.

Part of the problem is people don't know what regulators exist, don't know how to raise a complaint, or they have to go through a lengthy complaints procedure before they take can complain to the regulator.

Part of the problem in Darren Upton's case was:
1. A loophole where he was able to abuse HMRC electronic systems and HMRC have no duty of care.
2. A bank that allowed him to set up an account with the name "HMRC"

BTW has anyone who has suffered from his actions got in touch with someone like Paul Lewis from Moneybox? As even the bank issue is one that needs highlighting.

[AtW]

It is a shame they do not have to all be chartered, and do not have a body like the Law Society.

If they had you'd be paying £200-300 per hour and nobody other than member of such society would have right to do accounting, and you'd still carry the risks!

[richy]

Means that either they didn't have the ability to pass the exams, or they couldn't be bothered. Having the ability to pass an exam and pay an annual sub doesn't of course guarantee that you will never do anything wrong or cost clients in some way. Having legal protection to the name wouldn't make a whole load of difference either I don't think - most accountants who get done for something seem to be qualified.

Maybe I should be checking they have P.I. insurance, and that I could claim if needed when I choose accountants for my ltd co work.

It is a shame they do not have to all be chartered, and do not have a body like the Law Society. Even "Accountants Ombudsman" that they all have to pay membership of, and provide copies of their P.I. policy.

Solicitors are well regulated in this kind of way.

[simondolan]

What I am driving it is if an accountancy firm is not affiliated to an accountancy body then what does that mean?
does it mean that they have been discredited in the past? I accept that being a member means little but if an accountancy firm is not a member are they a Pariah?

Means that either they didn't have the ability to pass the exams, or they couldn't be bothered. Having the ability to pass an exam and pay an annual sub doesn't of course guarantee that you will never do anything wrong or cost clients in some way. Having legal protection to the name wouldn't make a whole load of difference either I don't think - most accountants who get done for something seem to be qualified.