Love Island & Towie stars in court for ‘plugging dodgy investments’ on socials

LOVE Island and Towie stars including Lauren Goodger appeared in court today accused of plugging dodgy investments on social media.

The celebs were allegedly paid to push Instagram posts to their followers that promoted an unauthorised foreign exchange trading scheme.

Goodger appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today via videolink, while fellow Towie star Yazmin Oukhellou attended the hearing in person.

She was joined in the dock by Love Island star Eva Zapico and Geordie Shore’s Scott Timlin – known as Scotty T.

Love Island’s Biggs Chris, Jamie Clayton and Rebecca Gormley were set to appear but their cases were adjourned until July 3.

The alleged ‘finfluencers’ were charged following a probe by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

They each face up to two years in prison if convicted.

Emmanuel Nwanze and Holly Thompson allegedly used the Instagram account @holly_fx trends, to provide advice on buying and selling investments known as contracts for difference (CFDs).

The FCA says CFDs are high-risk, with 80 per cent of customers who invest in them losing money.

Thompson and Nwanze are accused of paying the celebs to promote the account to their 4.5million followers on social media.

Chris, 32, Clayton, 32, Goodger, 37, Gormley, 26, Oukhellou, 30, Timlin, 36, Nwanze, 30, Thompson, 33, and Zapico, 25, each face one count of issuing unauthorised communications of financial promotions.

Nwanze is also accused of “carrying on a regulated activity when not an authorised person” between May 2018 and April 2021.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges today alongside Thompson and Timlin.

Goodger, who is accused of offending between March 2020 and January 2021, Oukhellou and Zapico gave no indication of plea.

They were all released on unconditional bail ahead of a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on July 11.

The FCA asked anyone who believes they have sustained a loss due to the scheme to contact its consumer contact centre.