Police have made an arrest in the investigation of a betting syndicate run by Rory Campbell, the son of former spin doctor Alastair Campbell. This move comes after approximately 50 investors lost significant sums, with some families, including that of Campbell’s parents, reportedly losing up to £500,000 each, in December, reports BritPanorama.
The 37-year-old Oxford graduate launched the syndicate in 2017, claiming he could outsmart bookmakers by making strategic bets on football matches across Europe, including the Premier League and La Liga. Campbell’s operation employed traders who utilized mathematical models to execute as many as 80 wagers weekly.
Initially, early investors received returns, but financial difficulties soon emerged. Campbell assured investors that they would be reimbursed and indicated that a percentage of their investments would be returned by the summer. However, weeks passed without payouts, prompting investors to alert law enforcement.
Authorities arrested a man from North London under suspicion of orchestrating a £5 million Ponzi-style scheme. A dossier assembled by around 20 investors was submitted to the police, containing contracts, bank statements, spreadsheets, and correspondence which suggested the fund was indeed profitable.
Tragic circumstances surround some investors; one is believed to have succumbed to cancer while pursuing his lost funds, while another commenced court proceedings for £266,000 but ultimately settled for significantly less.
As of last night, police confirmed the arrest on allegations of fraud by false representation linked to the betting syndicate. The individual is currently on bail, pending further investigation, and remains unnamed due to legal restrictions.
