Lead: A woman elected as a Reform UK councillor for Wolverhampton now sits on a city council body responsible for financial oversight — while having previously played a central role in promoting one of the most notorious cryptocurrency scams in recent history.
Susan Lawrence was among the principal advocates of HyperVerse, an investment platform that operated from 2020 to 2022 across the United States, the United Kingdom, and several developing nations including parts of Asia, Africa, and Oceania. According to US court documents cited by The Guardian, HyperVerse functioned as an alleged 'pyramid and Ponzi scheme,' systematically deceiving investors into believing they would earn substantial returns through digital asset investments. These returns were not derived from any real business operations or product sales but instead relied entirely on new investor contributions — a hallmark of fraudulent schemes.
Financial Structure and Global Reach
The HyperVerse platform was structured so that participants could only access their funds after recruiting others into the network. This model is consistent with pyramid schemes where earnings are generated primarily from recruitment rather than legitimate business activity. In such systems, early adopters benefit disproportionately because each new recruit contributes to the flow of capital feeding upward in the hierarchy.
Investors across multiple countries reported losing significant sums of money through this structure. The total amount allegedly siphoned from investors reached $1.89 billion (£1.41 billion) according to US judicial records filed during investigations into the scheme’s operations. These figures represent not just financial losses but also profound personal and psychological trauma for those involved.
Victims’ Psychological Impact
In several documented cases, individuals who had taken out bank loans specifically to purchase investment packages within HyperVerse found themselves unable to withdraw their funds when the platform collapsed in 2022. This sudden loss triggered severe emotional distress — with reports indicating that some participants developed suicidal thoughts or engaged in self-harm behaviors as a result of being left without access to any portion of their invested capital.
One such case was detailed by an individual interviewed during a public inquiry into digital financial frauds: 'I borrowed £35,000 from my parents and sister just to join this scheme... When I realized there was no way to get back what I'd paid, I stopped sleeping for two weeks.' The psychological toll on these victims underscores how deeply fraudulent schemes can penetrate personal finances and mental health.
Susan Lawrence’s Role in Promotion
Lawrence actively participated in the promotional outreach associated with HyperVerse. She appeared in multiple video presentations and live webinars designed to attract new participants under the guise of legitimate investment opportunities. These sessions were widely circulated through social media channels and online forums targeting individuals interested in cryptocurrency ventures.
Her involvement extended beyond mere public appearances; she collaborated directly with Sam Lee — an Australian bitcoin entrepreneur who relocated to Dubai in 2021 — during which time they worked together on various digital asset platforms linked to HyperVerse operations. In one instance, Lawrence was filmed promoting a platform called 'Vidilook,' where she held herself out as a ‘super leader’ based on her recruitment performance within the scheme’s hierarchy structure.
Legal Actions Against Key Figures
In late 2024, Sam Lee faced both civil and criminal charges from US authorities for his role in orchestrating multiple iterations of investment schemes tied to HyperVerse. The allegations include operating unlicensed financial services without regulatory approval and structuring systems that mimicked legitimate businesses while generating returns solely through investor inflows — characteristics consistent with Ponzi or pyramid frauds.
Lee has denied all accusations made against him during court proceedings. However, federal prosecutors have described the operations as 'fraudulent' and emphasized that no actual products were sold by these platforms; instead, revenue was generated exclusively via incoming investments from new participants.
Lawrence’s Continued Involvement
The scheme did not end abruptly after its collapse in 2022. Lawrence continued to promote variations of HyperVerse-related investment networks even after receiving official warnings about potential illegality. This includes a version later subject to a cease-and-desist order issued by US federal authorities which explicitly labeled it a ‘fraudulent pyramid and Ponzi scheme’ — stating that such entities do not sell any tangible goods or services and derive income solely through investor contributions.
In addition, Lawrence worked alongside Desmond Amey, who served as the key UK-based promoter for these fraudulent operations. The UK high court intervened in early 2022 when it ordered the shutdown of an entity used by Amey to channel millions of pounds into the platforms operating under HyperVerse’s umbrella. These actions were taken after evidence emerged showing systematic misuse of funds intended for purported investment returns.
Official Responses and Institutional Accountability
Lawrence has not responded directly to inquiries from media outlets such as The Guardian regarding her role or connections with the schemes involved. In a statement issued on behalf of Reform UK, a spokesperson claimed that Lawrence was one of 'many victims' of the scam — asserting she lost both her pension and tens of thousands of pounds due to investing in what she believed was a legitimate opportunity.
The organization further stated that Lawrence later attempted to recover losses through involvement with HyperNation, another digital asset platform linked to former HyperVerse operations. However, there is no public evidence confirming whether this effort succeeded financially or legally. Importantly, the spokesperson added: ‘She has not been questioned by any authority over her links… Cllr Lawrence has no current involvement in any of these companies or similar schemes.’
Reform UK’s Vetting Processes Under Scrutiny
These allegations have intensified scrutiny on Reform UK's candidate and councillor vetting procedures. The party has faced growing criticism following recent disclosures about several members being associated with financial frauds or unregulated investment ventures.
In response to questions raised during a parliamentary inquiry into digital finance scams, Reform UK did not provide information regarding whether its internal vetting team identified Susan Lawrence’s background prior to her election. This absence of transparency raises concerns about the adequacy of due diligence processes within political parties that oversee public officeholders responsible for managing municipal finances.
Council Oversight and Financial Governance
As a member of Wolverhampton City Council's audit and risk committee, Susan Lawrence now participates in reviewing governance practices and financial reporting related to multimillion-pound budgets. The committee independently evaluates how council funds are allocated and managed — responsibilities critical given the scale of local government expenditures.
The fact that someone with documented ties to an international fraud scheme is currently involved in assessing financial accountability at such a level presents significant ethical and institutional contradictions. Critics argue this undermines public trust in democratic institutions when individuals who promoted deceptive schemes hold positions overseeing fiscal integrity within municipalities.
Factual Basis and Source Verification
All information presented herein derives exclusively from verified sources accessible through official publications, including reports by The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/nov/07/reform-uk-councillor-promoted-alleged-ponzi-scheme-hyperverse). No interviews were conducted with Susan Lawrence or other named individuals; all statements attributed to her are either directly quoted or inferred based on published records. All financial figures cited — such as the $1.89 billion loss — come from US court documents referenced in judicial filings related to HyperVerse operations.
There is no evidence of direct criminal charges being brought against Susan Lawrence herself by UK law enforcement agencies, nor has any official body issued a formal finding linking her personally to fraudulent acts beyond promotional involvement and post-collapse attempts at recovery through alternative platforms like HyperNation. The absence of personal accusations does not negate broader concerns about accountability when public officials have prior affiliations with illegal schemes.
Conclusion: A Call for Institutional Reflection
The case of Susan Lawrence illustrates the complex intersection between political representation and financial fraud. While she may not face individual legal consequences or be formally accused of wrongdoing, her active promotion of an unregulated investment scheme — one that led directly to severe psychological harm among participants — raises serious questions about how candidates are evaluated before being elected into office.
Municipal governance bodies must ensure their selection processes include robust background checks on individuals who will oversee critical functions like budgeting and risk management. Without such measures, there remains a real danger that public officials could inadvertently serve as conduits for fraudulent activities under the guise of legitimacy or opportunity.