A DORSET man has admitted defrauding six people out of more than £800,000 as part of a series of investment frauds.

Matthew James Burgess, aged 31, of White Hill, Puddletown, pleaded guilty to seven charges against him at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, August 4.

Six counts are of fraud by false representation and one count of performing a regulated activity when not authorised. 

Burgess appeared before Weymouth Magistrates’ Court back in January charged with the seven offences, but did not enter pleas at the time.

The court heard how he was accused of dishonestly claiming he would invest money in stocks -  namely FX, indices and commodities markets - to the value of £801,249 between March 1, 2016 and April 30, 2021.

It is alleged his victims lost £226,249, £65,000, £160,000, £100,000, £50,000 and £200,000 respectively.

Burgess will be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday, October 3.