morally or legally wrong?

[KRUSTYMAN]

My brother is now a qualified stockbroker, previous to this he was a financial advisor. He 'advised' a woman who was quite well off, reasonable old and frail and somehow as a result his daughter was gifted �80,000 by this woman. My brother just happened to take his daughter along with him one day and the next thing you know she has the money. This woman had no other relatives other than a brother who was also quite wealthy in his own right and has now died. My brother just happens now to be her sole beneficiary, part of the agreement they had was for her to move into an annexe of his house and be near people. He has now moved into another house because, as he puts it, he doesn't do old people though it's obvious that he wants her money. Is this set up illegal or just immoral? This might sound as if I'm a little jealous but I can assure you I'm not I certainly wouldn't be able to look at myself in a mirror if I did it.

[marval]

I am sorry I don't really know the legal side of it. To me it certainly sounds immoral, he has gone back on the agreement by moving house. I would be tempted to ask advice from Citizens Advice, they could advise you. It seemed very quick for her to give the money to the daughter, after just one visit from her.

If you do think he is wrong then maybe you need to say something, but I would get advice first.

Sorry I can't help you further.

[Barquentine]

From what you have said it sounds as if you are worried that this old lady is being taken advantage of. Because the suspected financial abuse may or may not involve a relative this makes it harder to know how to handle it. All you need to do is to make sure someone knows about your suspicions & leave it to them. The people that deal with this type of thing are the Office of The Public Guardian. Click on the middle link - relating to vulnerable people being abused. That link refers you to the Local Authority Adult Services Department & other agencies that may be relevant. When you get old & something similar was happening to you, you would like to think someone would help you I expect. When you speak to them check that they will be able to keep you anonymous.

[Barquentine]

Sorry, I meant to include the link to their website:

http://www.publicguardian.gov.uk/

[baileybird]

my husband does the same job and this is simply not ethical. you should speak to the financial services authority immediately who will investigate - it is all done confidentially. If he is innocent - they will find out. FSA website www.fsa.gov.uk

[KRUSTYMAN]

Many thanks to you all - I am concerned but also concerned about the confidentialty of reporting it because he is also a reasonably high ranking Mason? I am somewhat worried about whether I could rely on my identity being kept secret?

[Barquentine]

Then just send in all the details anonymously, explain your worries and hope that someone looks into it. You'll have done what you can & if the relevant authorities fail to follow it up it won't be your fault.