Financial Services Advocacy

Ariel & Associates is concerned with the manner and indeed frequency by which clients of financial service businesses have been duped, misled or otherwise been the subject of deceptive or misleading conduct.

One only has to look at recent examples, including:

  • Melissa Caddick and her wealth management business, Maliver – allegations that she operated without an AFS Licence and created fictitious broker statements. Authorities have stated that $20 million of clients’ funds may have been misappropriated.

  • Ross Hopkins – a former financial adviser who was entrusted by his clients to manage their SMSF accounts. Over a period of nearly three years, he misappropriated about $2.9 million of his clients’ funds without their knowledge. He has recently been jailed for 6 years.

  • Graeme Miller – a former financial adviser and director was sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment for misappropriating over $1.8 million of clients’ funds.

Many of these cases share certain similarities:

  • The adviser / representative betrayed the trust and goodwill of their clients.

  • On many occasions, the clients were known to the adviser / representative.

  • Many clients were elderly and not in a position to fully understand the types of investments being entered into.

  • The extent of the misconduct could have been mitigated or even averted if matters were initially raised.

With this in mind, Ariel & Associates is happy to provide a free advocate service to assist consumers if they believe that they are being taken advantage of, or if they are concerned with any allegations of misconduct.

Simple checks can be undertaken to determine the bona fides of the individuals concerned. Having worked in the industry for many years, we understand how and where to complete these checks in regard to advocacy.

We are not lawyers and we will not seek to enter into any contractual relationship in seeking redress or compensation. We just want to advocate on your behalf and provide you with the means by which to protect yourself and your assets.

If, as a result of our advocacy services, you are successful in recovering your money, or if we have prevented you from engaging in any potential fraudulent transaction, we only seek that you consider making a donation to a worthwhile charity in lieu of any fees payable to Ariel & Associates.

Please contact us for further information re advocacy.