A gavel rests on its sounding block with a several law books and a justice scale out of fucus in the background. A cool blue cast dominates the scene. (A gavel rests on its sounding block with a several law books and a justice scale out of fucus in t
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The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has charged a fifth man over a suspected water investment scam, the regulator announced Tuesday.

The FCA alleged that John Dobbs — alongside Bruce Rowan, David Simmons, Robert Sweeney and Justin Russell — was involved in an investment scheme that defrauded investors out of £3.9 million between 2015 and 2019. He’s facing three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

The five men allegedly conspired to defraud U.K. investors through Hanover Merchant Capital UK Ltd and Liberty House Capital Ltd. They purportedly lied to investors that the companies were well-established, and that their capital would be invested in water extraction and bottling, insured and generate regular returns.

Dobbs is scheduled to appear before Southwark Crown Court on March 25.