top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon
Explore
arrow down

Victims' anger at compensation delay

Victims of Graham Templeton's €2m fraud are still waiting for compensation

VICTIMS of Graham Templeton's €2m Dordogne fraud are still waiting for Société Générale to come up with an improved offer of compensation for its alleged role in letting the scam happen.

The bank has so far offered victims a payment of a third of the money they lost. Lawyer Dominique Assier represents the group of eight original claimants against the bank and they have now been joined by another victim who had been conducting a separate action.

Victims say Société Générale should not have made it possible for Templeton to pay cheques made out to the bank into his own personal account.

Jerry Shively, a retired US businessman who lost €800,000, said it was frustrating that the victims had not received any money while proceeds from the sale of Templeton’s chateau went to the taxman. “How exactly the government can tax income that was illegally obtained I’m not sure,” he said.

“At this rate we victims are all going to die before we achieve a satisfactory outcome. It’s remarkable it’s taken this many years for what should be a simple procedure.”

He said their only hope of getting their money back was a settlement from the Société Générale.

Pensioner Bill Sargison, 87, and his wife Joan lost £110,000 in the fraud scam. He said “somebody got a good deal” buying Templeton’s six-bedroom chateau in the Dordogne for just €350,000.

“That money was claimed by the fisc – and we’ve had nothing. The whole thing seems farcical,” he added.

Related stories:
Exclusive interview: Graham Templeton talks to The Connexion
Graham Templeton begins jail term
£2m fraud Briton jailed for two years
Cheque loophole still wide open
Cheque loophole must be closed, says MEP
Templeton worked in pub in Kent
Check financial advisors online

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France