Elite British soldiers lose £5million investing in get-rich-quick scheme run by comrade
SPECIAL forces commandos have blown £5million investing in a get-rich-quick scheme run by a comrade.
One former Special Boat Service operator is out of pocket by £1.48million — the proceeds of a house sale.
Other big losers are serving commandos in senior roles at the SBS HQ in Poole, Dorset.
A source insisted: “They’re not the door-kickers. They’re the older guys who should have known better. I can’t believe they’ve been so naive.”
The scandal is causing anger and ill-feeling at the SBS — motto By Strength and Guile.
A major in his 50s promised his comrades bumper returns if they let him invest with property developer Landmark Estates.
The company, run by ex-public schoolboy James Bradley, 52, has built dozens of homes around Hampshire and Dorset.
But it hit problems after buying a site in London with plans for 14 riverside flats in 2014.
It was supposed to take two years but remains undeveloped.
One victim said he was forced to sell his home and was facing ruin.
He added: “The regiment is built on trust and I was an idiot because I trusted my mate.”
Mr Bradley, linked to 50 struck-off companies, said “We have had really tough times.
“Contractors have gone bust. Build costs have rocketed and Covid slowed everything up, so we are holding on to sites longer with increased interest costs.
“We are doing our best to finish everything.”