Wine Traders International Ltd, a wine investment company, whose registered address was in Fetcham Surrey, was wound up in the High Court in May 2010 following an investigation by The Insolvency Service.

Wine Traders International Ltd claimed to be a wine trader, acting as an agent for wine collectors and buying wine on their behalf.  The investigation was initiated following reports of their exaggerated claims of the benefits for potential investors and a lack of clarity about their operations.  At the winding up hearing the Court agreed that members of the public who purchased wine from the company were highly likely to suffer loss or at the very least not achieve the return on their investment as Wine Traders International Ltd’s company literature led them to expect.

Commenting on the case Peter Jones, investigator for The Insolvency Service said:  “The public should be reassured that The Insolvency Service works hard to remove dishonest, reckless and irresponsible people from the business environment.  The action taken on this matter sends a clear and simple message to company directors; if you run a business that aims to cheat customers, you will be closed down.”