A former Kent Police sergeant. A grandfather. A man who spent years telling over 6,000 people their money was safe in his hands. Michael Stanley ran the Layezy Racing Syndicate, a horse racing betting scheme he claimed was virtually risk-free. For years, the monthly reports he sent out appeared to prove it was working perfectly. They were complete fabrications…
*** LISTENER CAUTION IS ADVISED ***
This episode was written by Rosanna Fitton. Research by Benjamin Fitton.
Illustrations and production direction by Rosanna Fitton.
Audio editing by Joel Porter at Dot Dot Dot Productions.
Narration, additional audio editing and mixing, and script editing by Benjamin Fitton.
To get early ad-free access, including Season 1, sign up for They Walk Among PLUS, available from Patreon or Apple Podcasts.
More information and episode references can be found on our website https://theywalkamonguspodcast.com
SOCIAL MEDIA: https://linktr.ee/TheyWalkAmongUs
MUSIC:
Stopped Time by Moments
Artisan Craft by Cody Martin
Cain by Cody Martin
Playing Games by Cody Martin
Down To The Wire by Rhythm Scott
True Crime Investigation by Rhythm Scott
Stars Align by Moments
Cine Synth Chase Dreams by Quiet Lake
Time Cannot Take Our Love by Joshua Spacht
Three Meters by Stephen Keech
Leatherface by Wicked Cinema
REFERENCES:
CPS
https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/fraudster-jailed-multi-million-pound-betting-syndicate-scam#:~:text=In%20reality%2C%20Stanley%20used%20new,he%20was%20not%20entitled%20to.
https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/fraudster-jailed-multi-million-pound-betting-syndicate-scam
GOVERNMENT
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/layezy-racing-owners-club-information-for-creditors
BRITISH RACING AUTHORITY
https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/statement-regarding-layezy-racing-owners-club/
BARRISTERS
https://redlionchambers.co.uk/michael-goodwin-kc-obtains-convictions-in-44m-layezy-racing-syndicate-ponzi-fraud-case/
https://redlionchambers.co.uk/michael-goodwin-kc-instructed-in-10m-layzey-racing-nationwide-betting-ponzi-fraud-run-by-ex-police-officer/
BBC NEWS
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-68218974
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crg97wj4en4o
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpqz7e0j3z7o
KENT ONLINE
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/betting-syndicates-downfall-could-affect-thousands-201424/
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/betting-syndicate-enters-liquidation-amid-fraud-probe-205131/
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/creditors-owed-158million-in-failed-kent-betting-syndicate-234427/
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/head-of-horse-racing-betting-syndicate-to-appear-in-court-301358/
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/ex-policeman-admits-defrauding-members-of-horse-racing-syndi-303042/
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/news/national/ex-police-officer-who-defrauded-members-of-horse-racing-betting-syndicate-jailed-128331/
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/former-police-officer-jailed-for-10m-horse-racing-betting-f-313409/
ITV NEWS
https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2024-03-07/ex-kent-police-officer-admits-fraud-using-horse-racing-syndicate
DAILY MAIL
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-6616931/Call-police-probe-betting-syndicate-run-former-police-officer.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-6616833/Ex-policeman-suspected-using-syndicate-money-spend-2m-23-horses.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-6620825/Racing-chiefs-assist-scam-probe-Syndicate-members-fear-savings-contact-Crime-Agency.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-6624945/Police-urge-members-Kent-based-gambling-syndicate-come-forward.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-6659021/Punters-fear-ruin-betting-syndicate-racing-owners-club-Layezy-Racing-folds.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-6667171/Millions-feared-lost-deadline-Layezy-Racing-update-passes.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-6679945/Thousands-fear-money-gone-Layezy-Racing-syndicate.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-6692751/Millions-lost-Layezy-Racing-betting-syndicate-boss-files-bankruptcy.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-6697693/Layezy-Racing-betting-syndicate-boss-Mike-Stanley-claims-gone-police.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-6701391/Members-Layezy-Racing-betting-syndicate-reveal-lost-savings.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-6706199/Ban-bankrupt-Layezy-Racing-syndicates-23-horses-BHA-step-in.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-6724473/Layezy-Racing-betting-syndicate-owner-Mike-Stanley-questioned-police-Sportsmail-investigation.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-6828201/Bankrupt-boss-Layezy-Racing-syndicate-admits-owes-22m-thousands-members.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-6874381/Shamed-Layezy-Racing-syndicate-line-Aintree-runner-ban-lifted-BHA.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-7372755/Layezy-Racing-betting-syndicate-owner-Mike-Stanley-quizzed-police-fraud-probe.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-7585203/Investors-doomed-betting-syndicate-Layezy-Racing-weigh-legal-action-administrators.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-8765521/Bankrupt-head-Layezy-Racing-owes-creditors-158m-details-betting-syndicate-revealed.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-8770195/Victims-doomed-Layezy-Racing-syndicate-set-receive-10p-pound-40m-investments.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-13051761/police-Mike-Stanley-charged-Layezy-horse-racing-syndicate.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/match-day/article-13175497/Former-Kent-police-officer-Mike-Stanley-pleads-guilty-fraud-investigation-10m-shortfall-bogus-horse-racing-syndicate.html
KENT LIVE
https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/ex-police-officer-defrauded-betting-9148901
https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/former-kent-police-officer-conned-9578966
https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/kent-gambling-fraudster-cons-betting-9579757
NATIONAL FRAUD HELPLINE
https://nationalfraudhelpline.co.uk/police-officer-jailed-for-44-million-betting-fraud/
NEWSBANK
January 22, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
January 23, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
February 2, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
February 5, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
February 8, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
February 12, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
February 14, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
February 15, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
February 15, 2019 - M2 Presswire (England)
February 21, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
March 20, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
March 25, 2019 - Kent Messenger (England)
April 2, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
May 22, 2019 - Kent Messenger (England)
August 19, 2019 - MailOnline (London, England)
August 20, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
October 17, 2019 - MailOnline (London, England)
October 18, 2019 - Daily Mail (London, England)
September 23, 2020 - MailOnline (London, England)
September 24, 2020 - Daily Mail (London, England)
September 24, 2020 - M2 Presswire (England)
September 24, 2020 - MailOnline (London, England)
September 25, 2020 - Daily Mail (London, England)
September 25, 2020 - Kent Messenger (England)
September 25, 2020 - Racing Post, The (England)
February 6, 2024 - MailOnline (London, England)
February 6, 2024 - Times, The: Web Edition Articles (London, England)
February 7, 2024 - Racing Post, The (England)
February 7, 2024 - Times, The (London, England)
February 7, 2024 - Times, The/Sunday Times, The (London, England)
March 7, 2024 - Evening Standard: Web Edition Articles (London, England)
March 7, 2024 - Independent, The/The Independent on Sunday: Web Edition Articles (London, England)
March 7, 2024 - Medway Messenger (England)
March 7, 2024 - MyLondon (England)
March 7, 2024 - Press Association Newswire (UK)
March 7, 2024 - WalesOnline (Wales)
March 8, 2024 - Herald, The/Sunday Herald, The (Glasgow, Scotland)
March 8, 2024 - Metro (UK)
March 8, 2024 - Racing Post, The (England)
March 8, 2024 - Sun, The (London, England)
March 8, 2024 - Times, The (London, England)
March 9, 2024 - Daily Mail (London, England)
March 9, 2024 - Governance, Risk & Compliance Monitor Worldwide (Amman, Jordan)
March 11, 2024 - Governance, Risk & Compliance Monitor Worldwide (Amman, Jordan)
September 24, 2024 - Evening Standard: Web Edition Articles (London, England)
September 24, 2024 - Express, The/The Express on Sunday: Web Edition Articles (London, England)
September 24, 2024 - Medway Messenger (England)
September 24, 2024 - Press Association Newswire (UK)
September 25, 2024 - Racing Post, The (England)
September 25, 2024 - Times, The (London, England)
September 25, 2024 - Times, The/Sunday Times, The (London, England)
September 26, 2024 - Governance, Risk & Compliance Monitor Worldwide (Amman, Jordan)