Love Island and Towie stars plead guilty over illegal Instagram finance scheme
Seven reality stars and influencers pleaded guilty to illegally promoting currency trading on Instagram.
Lauren Goodger, 39, Yazmin Oukhellou, 31, Rebecca Gormley, 27, Biggs Chris, 33, Jamie Clayton, 34, Scott Timlin and Eva Zapico, 27, admitted breaking the law by acting as so-called “financial influencers.”
Southwark Crown Court heard they asked Instagram followers to sign up for an account offering currency trading tips, despite not having any qualifications or authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The FCA launched a landmark criminal prosecution against reality stars in the summer of 2024, accusing them of making social media posts that clogged currency trading signals while unregulated.
Love Island star Zapico pleaded guilty in October 2024 and two more Love Island Players Gormley and Chris pleaded guilty to the charges against them in 2025.
In January this year, One Way is Essex Star Goodger also appeared in court to plead guilty and face sentencing.
On Friday, Sally-Ann Hales KC lifted reporting restrictions on criminal charges and sentences. Geordie Beach Timlin star (known as Scotty T), Love IslandClayton and another Towie graduate Oukhellou pleaded guilty to a self-guilty charge of transmitting an invitation or solicitation to participate in investment opportunities.
It took the step following an appeal from the Press Association, saying social media was “awash” with posts promoting FX signals and trades with little indication of how they were controlled or regulated.
“There is a public interest in reporting this matter,” he decided.
When Goodger was sentenced in January, he broke down in tears when the court heard how he made a series of posts in 2020 and 2021 to promote a forex trading tips account he knew little about.
Southwark Crown Court heard he was paid £2,275 for four assignments. At the time, he had more than 750,000 followers on Instagram, and one of the videos he created and posted had nearly 35,000 views.
“This defendant had attracted media and public attention due to his appearance on a reality TV show,” said prosecutor Catherine Rabaiotti.
The court heard his posts advertised “incredible deals”, “free signals” and “consistent profits” and claimed “no experience needed”.
“The defendant was not authorized by the FCA to carry out any regulated activity,” Ms Rabaiotti said.
“A member of the public saw a narrative video of this defendant.
“It showed up on his Instagram account. He hadn’t heard of Forex trading.”
He said Goodger’s posts on social media “convinced” him to participate in the scheme, believing it was legitimate.
But the prosecutor said the victim knew he “knew everything about Forex trading” and lost £150 of his £250 investment.
“The business ventures didn’t go very well,” he said.
“It was completely pure.”
In the interview, Goodger admitted to making social media posts but insisted he would not “promote something he doesn’t believe is legitimate.”
The judge who sentenced Goodger acknowledged that in 2020 and 2021 the reality star “didn’t appreciate that you did anything wrong.”
However, he emphasized that Goodger chose not to meet with her agent and manager before accepting the assignments, stating that she was “not new to fame”.
The judge ordered Goodger to pay a £3,750 fine as well as costs of £5,778.18, saying the sentence was imposed to deter others from breaching strict regulations on financial trading.
“You had been in the public eye for some time when you committed this crime,” he added.
“You must appreciate the impact your name and support will have on the public.
“Your motivation for doing what you did was purely financial.”
Zapico was given a strict discharge and ordered to pay £1,770 in costs, Gormley received a conditional discharge of £2,866 and Chris was fined £600.
