Investors pursue Dubai investment group over missing payments

{"text":[[{"start":8.24,"text":"A Dubai investment group operating from the Burj Khalifa tower is facing legal action from scores of investors who accuse the firm of having stopped or delayed payments on investments that promised double-digit annual returns."}],[{"start":22,"text":"Disgruntled clients of AIX Investment Group, which built its brand through sponsorships in motorsports and high-profile marketing campaigns, have taken steps to recoup their money in recent months, according to investors, lawyers and court documents seen by the FT. Local authorities have visited AIX premises to make enquiries, according to two people familiar with the matter."}],[{"start":41.64,"text":"Two investors have filed claims for $2mn and $8mn against AIX through the court system of Dubai’s offshore financial hub, according to documents. Thousands of clients could be affected, according to people familiar with the matter."}],[{"start":57.6,"text":"AIX said on Saturday that a “period of exceptional geopolitical uncertainty and significant volatility across global financial markets has affected valuations and investment realisations within a limited part” of the company’s product offering. The majority of its products had not been affected, it said."}],[{"start":75.4,"text":"AIX also said it had appointed legal and financial advisers to help restructure the affected investments and pledged to provide an update to investors by October 12. One person close to the firm said the company was currently raising funds."}],[{"start":88.96,"text":"AIX has sponsored Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly and has offices across three floors of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. This month it sold some assets it owned in the AIX Racing team, which competes in Formula 2 and Formula 3. It also had a long-running commercial on flagship carrier Emirates featuring former Real Madrid star Michel Salgado."}],[{"start":110.76,"text":"The investment group’s troubles come as Dubai’s efforts to establish itself as a global centre for wealth management have been tested by the war between Iran and the US and Israel this year."}],[{"start":120.72,"text":"The UAE’s low taxes and luxurious lifestyle have attracted millionaires from tech entrepreneurs to crypto traders in recent years. But the entrepôt’s safe-haven image has been damaged by Iranian drone and missile attacks that impacted landmarks including the man-made Palm Island and self-styled seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel."}],[{"start":139.56,"text":"AIX’s clients, who included longtime Dubai residents, airline pilots, entrepreneurs and even a Saudi prince, invested sums ranging from $10,000 to millions of dollars with the group, according to people familiar with the matter. The total amount invested by its clients is not known."}],[{"start":157.76,"text":"AIX offers bond-like products with annual returns of 12 per cent and 16 per cent, according to its websites, as well as property-linked investments promising fixed annual returns of 14.4 per cent. Some products involve structures spanning the UAE, Ireland, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland and the UK. The firm has also marketed cryptocurrency-related products."}],[{"start":180.08,"text":"AIX’s “payment performance became delayed, irregular and opaque,” according to one claim filed at the Dubai International Financial Centre Court in August."}],[{"start":189.28,"text":"The goal is “for everyone to get their money back,” said a partner at Dubai-based law firm Nadya Ahmed Hasan Advocates & Legal Consultants who represents six claimants. If not, “it will damage the reputation of Dubai, which is unacceptable”."}],[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":203.76,"text":"In messages sent to clients in recent months titled “Update on Our Path Back to Normalcy”, AIX acknowledged the payment delays but pledged “a clear way forward” without providing details. The firm, which also has an office in Zurich, has blamed compliance and liquidity issues for its payment problems, several clients told the FT."}],[{"start":222.88,"text":"One AIX entity is regulated by the UAE’s Capital Market Authority, although its licence was limited to providing advice and making introductions. Meanwhile, several of AIX’s investment products are issued through offshore vehicles that are not regulated in the UAE."}],[{"start":237.92,"text":"In 2024, the firm paid a fine to Qatar’s regulator after an investigation found that the company made false claims and misleading statements on its website. The Cayman Islands’ regulator issued a warning earlier this month against an AIX vehicle and said the company had never been licensed or regulated by the authority."}],[{"start":256.2,"text":"Dubai authorities frequently warn residents against investment schemes offering unusually high or guaranteed returns. Given its size and international profile, the AIX case could raise questions about Dubai’s regulatory oversight, similar to when the emirate’s marquee private equity firm Abraaj collapsed in 2018 following complaints it had misused investors’ money."}],[{"start":277.38,"text":"Several investors said AIX paid them reliably in the past, which encouraged them to reinvest or refer other clients. But payment delays began about nine months ago, following the downturn in digital asset prices. The firm stopped transferring profits altogether in the middle of 2026, several investors said."}],[{"start":297.04,"text":"One investor said that payments stopped in April despite repeated assurances from AIX relationship managers. Others said AIX employees, many of whom also invest in its products, have stopped responding to client requests."}],[{"start":310.6,"text":"Dubai’s media office did not respond to requests for comment."}],[{"start":314.52,"text":"The CMA declined to comment on AIX but said it “continues to exercise its regulatory and supervisory responsibilities, taking appropriate action to protect investors and uphold market integrity in accordance with applicable laws and regulations”."}],[{"start":333.26,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1790566340_1808.mp3"}