Corporate hospitality scam which targeted the British Grand Prix shut down

A company that sold businesses British Grand Prix hospitality packages it never had has been shut down.

Foresea Limited, which was originally based in Kent, claimed to be a large-scale provider of corporate hospitality despite failing to own the rights to any tickets.

An Insolvency Service investigation revealed that clients were contacted through cold calls and asked to pay for hospitality packages, which were later cancelled by Foresea Limited, with no refunds paid.  

The Insolvency Service believed Foresea Limited is connected to at least three other scam hospitality businesses which have been shut down by authorities since August 2024: Informa Expo Ltd, Prive Global Sports Ltd and Darcella Ltd. 

David Usher, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “We have worked hard to root out these companies and attempt to end this cycle of scam hospitality packages.  

“Foresea Limited existed for the sole purpose of continuing to cause harm to unsuspecting members of the public, with the promise of tickets to high-profile sporting event. 

“Our investigations into these types of scams continue, and we will do all we can to put a stop to them.”

The FIA, the governing body of motorsport, published warnings on its websites stating it had no affiliation with Foresea Limited. 

Clients of Foresea Limited also submitted complaints to Action Fraud. 

Foresea Ltd also charged 20% VAT on each sale, collecting around £12,000 in tax, when it was not registered to do so. 

The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of the company after it failed to provide any records as it was required to do so.

Forsea Limited was wound-up at the High Court in Manchester earlier this week.

This is the fourth scam selling fake corporate hospitality tickets to be shut down in recent years, following on from Darcella Ltd, Prive Global Sports Ltd and Informa Expo Limited.

Image: Michael Potts F1/Shutterstock