CB Banks First Direct

First Direct review: Refusal to re-open a fraud investigation when new evidence appears

Kathryn Burgess-Gould of GB

Jan 25, 2026 1:52 pm EST

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In 2023 I made a fraud report in regard to South Wales Balustrades Ltd (trading under JJ Construction) I provided that this was a Father and Son rouge trader situation (Ceri and Jac). First Direct closed the investigation citing trade dispute. I believe that the investigator failed to identify that Ceri was a disqualified director. Failed to complete a search of Companies House which would have revealed a pattern of businesses that close suddenly after a short period all owned by either Ceri, Jac or the wife Jane, a classic red flag, Some of these, Fabcraft Holdings, Fabcraft South West Ltd, Fabcraft Ltd, B& C Foundry, Fabcraft Engineering, Fabcraft Foundry Ltd, Jac J Construction etc etc all should have raised red flags. An Adverse Media search would have brough the BBC investigation to light around fraud, and numerous negative reports on Facebook, Check a Trader etc were available. On 23 Jan 26, I provided the First Direct Fraud team that Ceri was arrested in 2025 and there are approximately 43 fraud cases due to go to court this year. The fraud rep, stated that once a fraud investigation is closed it is NEVER re-opened. I believe Monzo bank failed to complete adequate CDD, the First Direct fraud team placed reliance on the existence of a UK bank account as a reason not to suspect a rouge trader by assuming CDD had been done and would have flagged risk. They failed to complete a thorough investigation and are acting unfairly in refusing to reopen the case.

Claimed loss: £6240

Desired outcome: Refund of the £6240Details of the case file and rationale of the investigator.

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