Craig Brooks (fraudster)

Craig Brooks (also known as Craig Arch and Craig Hutchins) is a British convicted fraudster. He is known for his involvement in multiple investment schemes, including large-scale frauds related to Carbon credits, rare earth metals, and whisky cask investments. Brooks has been investigated and convicted for fraudulent business activities and for breaching company director disqualification regulations in the United Kingdom.

In 2019, Brooks and his brother Marvin Brooks were convicted at Birmingham Crown Court for operating a £6.2 million investment fraud involving carbon credits and rare earth metals.

Between 2011 and 2013, the brothers ran Bric Global Ltd, Citygate Capital Ltd, and Rare Earth Commodities Ltd, targeting investors through cold calls and misleading sales pitches. Victims were persuaded to invest in overvalued or non-existent assets, with promises of rapid returns that never materialized. Many of the 350 victims were elderly and lost their life savings.

The City of London Police Fraud Squad launched an investigation in 2012, uncovering fabricated investment materials and scripted sales guides known as “The Bible.” Brooks was intercepted while attempting to withdraw company funds and was later arrested.

On 2 May 2019, both brothers pleaded guilty to misleading commercial practices under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. They were sentenced to one year in prison and disqualified from serving as company directors. Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, they were ordered to repay more than £800,000, with funds used to compensate victims.

After his release, Brooks adopted the alias Craig Arch and founded Cask Whisky Ltd in 2021. The company marketed whisky cask investments claiming high returns. In 2025, a BBC investigation led by journalist Samantha Poling used facial recognition to confirm that “Craig Arch” was Craig Brooks. Brooks was found to be operating the company despite being legally disqualified. Experts reported that many casks were overvalued or non-existent, leading to further police investigations.

Following scrutiny of Cask Whisky Ltd, Brooks established Cask Spirits Global Ltd under the alias Craig Hutchins. The business continued offering whisky cask investments. In undercover footage by the BBC, Brooks, posing as Hutchins, claimed to manage over 11,000 clients and significant whisky stock. Experts later found valuations inflated up to tenfold. When confronted, he admitted his real identity but denied fraudulent intent.

The City of London Police Serious and Organised Crime Team launched investigations into both firms following investor complaints. Police reports indicated investors across the UK and abroad lost millions of pounds.

Brooks’ activities drew attention to the lack of regulation in the Whisky cask investment sector in the UK. Industry figures, including Kenny Macdonald of Dram Mor, have called for tighter oversight and investor protections following the BBC revelations.

• Investment fraud
• City of London Police

• BBC News – I used face recognition app to hunt man behind whisky fraud
• Forbes – Whisky Cask Scams