UK wine scams

I am a member of the UK-based Circle of Wine Writers, and have been a member for many years. I have lost track of the scams run in the UK by $2 companies offering deals of the century on Champagne and Classed Growth Bordeauxs. You pay your money upfront for en primeur offerings, and promised delivery (or large resale profits) once the wines become available. In the alternative, the wines will be purchased on your behalf and safely cellared in ideal conditions. The only problem is the entrepreneurs simply pocket the money without bothering to even go through the motions of securing the wines. Now a recent report from the UK says that hundreds of people are believed to have lost money after responding to two national newspaper advertisements by SurplusWine.co.uk offering ‘huge savings on fine wines and Champagnes’.