What is an overseas property investment claim?

Overseas property investment mis-selling affected thousands of UK pension investors via SIPP transfers. Harlequin Property involved 8,000+ investors and £400 million; founder convicted of fraud 2022. Claims run through FSCS via SIPP operator defaults. Source: SFO; FSCS.

Overseas Property

Overseas Property Investment Mis-selling — Were You Sold an Unsuitable Overseas Property Scheme?

Harlequin, The Resort Group and Dolphin Trust cost UK investors hundreds of millions. If a regulated adviser put you in, you likely have a claim.

Check My Claim — Free Do I Qualify?

£400m

Total invested in Harlequin alone

£125m

Recovered by Harlequin investors via FSCS

£85,000

Maximum FSCS compensation per claim

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Do I Have a Claim?

Signs Your Overseas Property Investment Was Mis-sold

You may have a strong case if any of the following apply:

You were advised to transfer your pension into a SIPP to invest in overseas property
You invested directly in an overseas property scheme or development
You were promised rental income and capital growth that has not materialised
The property was never built, or is significantly different from what was described
The adviser or introducer received a commission that was not disclosed
The investment was sold as suitable for pension investment or capital preservation
You were not given an independent valuation
The scheme was promoted at a UK seminar or pension review

What Happened

Between 2007 and 2020, tens of thousands of UK investors were persuaded to put pension savings and personal investments into overseas property schemes — primarily in the Caribbean, Cape Verde, Dubai, Spain, and Brazil. These investments were promoted through unregulated introducers working alongside FCA-regulated financial advisers, who earned large undisclosed commissions. Most developments were either never built, never produced the promised rental income, or collapsed entirely.

Why You May Be Owed Compensation

Where a UK-regulated adviser facilitated the purchase — or where a SIPP operator accepted the asset without proper due diligence — UK regulatory liability applies regardless of where the property is located. Claims flow through the adviser firm, its PI insurer, the SIPP operator, or the FSCS where the regulated firm has been declared in default.

Who Is Liable?

Depending on your situation, you may have a claim against:

FCA-regulated IFA — UK advisers who recommended the transfer and investment — claim against the firm and its PI insurer.
SIPP operator — Operators that accepted overseas property as a pension asset had due-diligence duties (e.g. Rowanmoor, in FSCS default December 2023 with £124m potential liability).
FSCS — Covers eligible claims up to £85,000 where the regulated firm has failed.

Recent Overseas Property Cases

Harlequin Property Group (Caribbean)

8,000+ investors; £400m total invested; only 300 of 6,000 planned properties built; founder David Ames convicted of fraud August 2022, sentenced to 12 years. £125m recovered by investors via FSCS from defaulted adviser claims.

The Resort Group (Cape Verde)

Estimated 2,000–4,000 SIPP investors; 10–20% annual returns promised; properties illiquid and not delivering promised income; claims flowing through SIPP operator defaults including Rowanmoor (FSCS default December 2023, £124m potential liability).

Dolphin Trust / German Property Group

Investors promised returns from German historic property renovation; scheme collapsed with significant UK investor losses.

How to Claim

1. Free Claim Check

Tell us about your investment in 60 seconds. We confirm if you have a claim.

2. We Investigate

We gather the evidence, file with the FOS, FSCS or adviser. No paperwork for you.

3. You Get Paid

Compensation paid directly. No Win, No Fee — we only charge if you win.

Overseas Property – Frequently Asked Questions

The property is overseas — can I still claim in the UK?

Yes, against the UK-regulated adviser or SIPP operator. The property's location does not matter for the claim.

I still technically own the property — does that affect my claim?

No. We claim the loss in value plus the lost opportunity to invest properly elsewhere.

What if the developer has disappeared?

Claims sit against UK regulated parties (advisers, SIPP operators, introducers), not the developer.

I invested in The Resort Group through a SIPP — what now?

Many claims are progressing via SIPP operator defaults, including Rowanmoor's FSCS default in December 2023. We can check your route to compensation.

How much compensation can I expect?

Compensation depends on losses incurred and the route used (FSCS up to £85,000, or uncapped via PI insurer/FOS).

Is there a deadline?

Standard 6 years from advice or 3 from awareness of loss.

Further reading. Read our in-depth Overseas Property Investment Guide 2026. See also our full guides on time limits for mis-selling claims, how compensation is calculated, and what evidence helps your claim. Not sure which route applies? Compare the FSCS and the Financial Ombudsman, estimate your compensation, or read how No Win No Fee works.

Explore the Knowledge Hub

This claim sits inside the following knowledge centres — see every related topic, regulator source and in-depth guide.

Investments Knowledge Centre

Not sure whether you are still in time? Check if you can still claim — the 6-year limit is not always the end of it.

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Overseas property mis-selling losses we act on across the UK — including Harlequin Caribbean, Dolphin Trust and Cape Verde resort schemes.

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