The SFO said it wants to hear from previous Harlequin investors who re-sold or cancelled their Harlequin investment, as well as those currently invested in the Harlequin Property Fund.
Investors have been asked to fill in a questionnaire which was posted on the SFO’s website on Thursday.
Completed questionnaires will be used to assist the ongoing inquiry and could form the basis of the evidence given at a criminal trial.
The fraud office also sought to stamp out rumours that the investigation into Harlequin is over. “This is categorically not the case,” it said. “Anyone who has been told that the SFO investigation is over should contact the SFO.”
Calm concerns
In July last year, the body also tried to calm concerns around the delays in the investigation process: “Due to the complex nature of our investigations and the fact that several overseas jurisdictions are included […] it is inevitable that delays in the process of gathering information and evidence will be and have been encountered.”
Investigations into Harlequin began in early 2013 after the alarm was raised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial advisers were warned against investing in the property company.
“Proceed with caution”
In April 2013, Harlequin Property filed for administration. The FCA then subsequently issued another warning urging anyone considering investing in the Harlequin group to “proceed with caution”.
Many investors have since been seeking redress.
Some might be entitled to compensation from the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme if they invested in Harlequin via a self-invested personal pension through a financial advice firm which is no longer trading.
The SFO questionnaire will be available until midnight on 28 August.
