The City of London Police have opened investigations into the case of alleged fraud, involving a former Premier League footballer, who lost £3.9million to the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), owned by Matthew Ashimolowo.
According to the UK Guardian, ex Charlton Athletic player, Richard Rufus, lost the money in a “disastrous investment scheme”.
The criminal investigation follows a Charity Commission report into “mismanagement” at the church, which invested £5million with Rufus.
Rufus, who is a member of KICC, was indicted in 2015 by a civil court judge, for operating a ponzi-style scheme between 2007 and 2011.
The report also claimed the church collected £5.8million from its members in 2015.
In 2009 and 2010, KICC’s trustees reportedly agreed to give Rufus £5million to invest, after he promised them returns of 55% a year.
“Detectives from City of London police’s fraud teams are investigating,” a police spokesman confirmed.
No arrests have been made yet.
KICC issued a statement last month denying Ashimolowo’s involvement in the deal.
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