The Pensions Regulator, in a joint operation with the police, has launched an investigation into several pension schemes suspected of using cold-calling to persuade people to transfer into poorly run schemes with risky investments.

The regulator is concerned that pension holders have been cold-called and persuaded to transfer their funds into poorly-run schemes with the promise of higher returns and cash incentives upfront.

As a result, it has teamed up with the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) for the investigation, which involved search warrants being executed at four homes and businesses in Newcastle, Sunderland and West Bridgford, near Nottingham, on 11 January.

As part of the same investigation, TPR has also appointed an independent trustee to run the Alderley Wealth Management pension scheme over concerns about the management of more than £3m of funds.

The regulator said there is evidence that some members requested their funds to be invested in low-risk UK based investments. Instead funds were placed in high-risk and illiquid investments overseas. Payments are suspected to have been made to introducers – some of whom TPR believes had used cold-calling to target pension holders.

Commenting, TPR director of case management Mike Birch said: “Cold-calling pension holders isn’t illegal yet, but no reputable business does it. We would urge anyone to contact Action Fraud if they are phoned and offered the chance to transfer their pension. Our message is simple – a cold-call about your pension is an attempt to steal your savings.”

TPR teams also inspected one business in the North East in connection with the investigation, before serving a Section 72 notice requiring information from that business under the Pensions Act.

One man and one woman have been interviewed by police under caution on suspicion of Fraud Act offences. A second man has been arrested and questioned by police on suspicion of fraud. He has been released while the investigation continues.

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