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The company, which took in around 拢37 million in investment, was presented as a secure, well-managed, ethical investment scheme that would help protect the Amazon rainforest and support local communities.

On 9 July 2019, the SFO charged Andrew Skeene, a former director of Global Forestry Investments with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, and misconduct in the course of winding up. On 31 July 2019, Omari Bowers, also a former director, was charged with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, and misconduct in the course of winding up.

On 31 May 2022, Skeene and Bowers were found guilty by a jury of three counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of misconduct in the course of winding up a company and sentenced to 11 years鈥� imprisonment.

An application by Skeene and Bowers for permission to appeal their sentences and convictions was heard at the Court of Appeal on 7 November 2024. On 21 January 2025, the sentences and convictions of both men were upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Case timeline

20 March 2025 鈥� the Court of Appeal refused applications by Skeene and Bowers to appeal to the Supreme Court.

21 Jan 2025 - the sentences and convictions of Skeene and Bowers were unanimously upheld by the Court of Appeal.

8 Feb 2024 and 7 Nov 2024 - Hearings in Court of Appeal of Skeene and Bowers鈥� applications for permission to appeal their sentences and convictions.

31 May 2022 鈥� Andrew Nathaniel Skeene and Junie Conrad Omari Bowers found guilty of three counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of misconduct in the course of winding up a company. They were sentenced to 11 years.

31 Jul 2019 鈥� Omari Bowers, former director of Global Forestry Investments, charged with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, and misconduct in the course of winding up and ordered to face Westminster Magistrates鈥� Court on 2 August 2019.

9 Jul 2019 鈥� Andrew Skeene, a former director of Global Forestry Investments, charged with conspiracy to defraud, forgery, and misconduct in the course of winding up.

25 Feb 2015 鈥� Global Forestry Investments investigation announced by SFO. Search operation conducted at two sites in the southeast of England.

See our past press releases under 鈥淣ews鈥� on the SFO鈥檚 .

Compensation eligibility

If you paid money to Global Forestry Investments through an independent financial advisor (IFA) registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, it may be possible for you to claim compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). In addition, if you believe that you were deliberately misled by your IFA, you may wish to contact the FCA, who as the Regulatory body which deals with IFAs.

Their details are:

• FCA:
• FSCS:

If you invested through Global Forestry Investments or Global Forex Investments

The insolvency practitioner tasked with winding up Global Forestry Investments is Stephen Penn of Absolute Recovery Ltd and at Global Forex Investments it is Guardian Business Recovery. As an investor you may want to contact the relevant insolvency practitioner to ascertain whether you are eligible to receive any compensation.

Absolute Recovery鈥檚 details are:

• Website:
• Telephone: UK 01302 572701
• Liquidator contact: Mr. Stephen Penn

Global Business Recovery鈥檚 details are:

• Website:
• Telephone: 020 3096 0750
• Liquidator contact: Mr. John Paylor

Support for victims and witnesses

If you have been impacted by this case and need support, please see for information on support services available to you.