Sold a fraudulent investment via Lewis Combe at Knight Knox — now director of Silkwood Group
In July 2023, I purchased a lodge investment on the Barncrosh/Barnsoul development in Dumfries and Galloway, sold to me by Lewis Combe, then working as a property consultant at Knight Knox. I was told the investment was a “freehold” “luxury 4 bedroom lodge“ “completed/ready now for immediate rental income” on a site “unencumbered” by any debt. Based on his representations I invested £114’900.
When the developer went into administration in 2024 I discovered that no 4 bedroom lodges exists on the site, my freehold “deed” was not legally binding and far from being unencumbered, the property was collateral for £millions in loans. This resulted in a 100% loss of my investment.
Further the scheme is now a live City of London Police fraud investigation, which has thus far resulted in numerous arrests with numerous prosecutions pending. It was also featured on BBC One's Rip Off Britain (aired 19 November 2025). I subsequently raised a formal complaint with the Property Ombudsman which found in my favour on 13th Feb 2025.
I want future clients of Silkwood Group to be aware that Lewis Combe, the sole director of Silkwood Invest Ltd (Companies House number 17031709), is the same individual who sold me this investment while at Knight Knox.
I have not had any dealings with Silkwood Group itself and this review is not about their current conduct — it's about the individual now running the company, and the track record he brings with him.
I'd encourage anyone considering investing through Silkwood Group to do independent due diligence on Mr Combe's prior sales history before committing funds.
Update: The lack of accountability and remorse in Mr Combe's response speaks volumes.
Let's be frank. Mr Combe presented himself as an expert and described this investment to me as a "guaranteed 8%" return that was "100% secure". He was instrumental in promoting it, and he profited personally from doing so.
While Mr Combe claims no responsibility for due diligence, I asked him specific questions on which my decision to invest hinged: had the lodge been built, and did the developer hold bankruptcy insurance? On each point, Mr Combe simply relayed the developer's word, making no effort to obtain policy documents, photographic evidence or any other proof. That speaks directly to his professional competence and integrity.
The scheme, now the subject of a police investigation, has cost many small investors their life savings. Among them are NHS nurses who borrowed to invest and can no longer meet their basic needs, and myself, whose was recently bereaved. All because we took professional advice at face value.
At every turn I have urged Mr Combe to take responsibility and to assist the police investigation. Instead, he has chosen to walk away and wash his hands of it.
For anyone contemplating an investment through Mr Combe's business, let those actions speak louder than words.

Antwoord van Silkwood Group







