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FCA gets illegal money lender charges removed

FCA has obtained an order from the High Court to remove over 600 charges, notices or restriction that had been registered by an illegal money lender at the Land Registry.

FCA has started several legal proceedings against Dharam Gopee and his companies, which loaned money to vulnerable customers at high rates, securing loans against their property and threatening to take possession of their homes if they failed to pay.  The OFT had refused a consumer credit license in 2012, but Mr Gopee operated for 4 years unauthorised by either OFT or FCA.

FCA has obtained a restraint order against him, and then, following proceedings for contempt of court in relation to repeated breaches of the order, he was imprisoned, but on his release committed further breaches which led to further imprisonment and ultimately conviction for various offences under the CCA and FSMA. FCA has also secured a confiscation order for over £5m and ordered compensation payments.

Emma Radmore