From Retirement Dreams to Cleaning Shifts: A British Expat's Cautionary Tale

A British man who emigrated to Spain hoping for a comfortable retirement in the sun, has found himself working as a driver and holiday villa cleaner to make ends meet.

Early Retirement Plans Unravel
Alan Brozel took early retirement at 50, and moved with his wife Paulene from Barnet in north London to Gata de Gorgos on the Costa Blanca. But Alan lost his pension pot after handing it over to a company called Continental Wealth Management (CWM).

Trusting the Wrong Hands
He says the company took over £150,000 from him but then went bust. He claims they forged signatures to invest in high-risk schemes, contrary to his instructions for low-risk investments.

Lingering Financial Struggles
Now 74, Alan is scraping by on his £600 state pension, taking up cleaning roles and caring for dogs to make ends meet as recovery of his investment seems bleak. He expressed frustration at the misleading practices of CWM and the loss he and many others faced.

Lack of Closure
One of CWM's former directors was convicted of fraud, with others involved facing legal complexities. The experience serves as a cautionary tale for expats and investors alike.