Balli Group

On 29 September, the SFO charged four individuals with various fraud offences in relation to the activities of Balli Group Plc and Balli Steel Plc.

Nasser Alaghband and David Spriddell are each charged with two counts of fraudulent trading in the carrying on of the businesses of Balli Steel Plc and Balli Group Plc with the intent of defrauding creditors. Nasser Alaghband is additionally charged with six counts of conspiracy to defraud various financial institutions.

Two further individuals, Louise Worsell and Melis Erda, are each charged with one count of fraudulent trading in the carrying on of the businesses of Balli Steel Plc with the intent of defrauding creditors. Melis Erda is also charged with six counts of conspiracy to defraud various financial institutions, while Louise Worsell faces five counts of the same charge.

The individuals appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 29 September 2020, and are due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, 27 October 2020.

A further individual, Vahid Alaghband, is to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 22 October, where the SFO intends to charge him two counts of fraudulent trading and one count of conspiracy to defraud.

As this is an active case, the SFO can provide no further comment.