Trainee financial adviser jailed for stealing parents' life savings

Spent more than £130,000

Victoria McKeever
clock • 1 min read

Melissa Humphreys has been given a three-year jail sentence for stealing £130,000 of her retired parents' savings while she was a trainee financial adviser.

According to the Independent, 33 year-old Humphreys stole her parents' life savings and used their credit cards to defraud them out of the £130,000. The police investigation was launched in 2010 but her trial did not begin until this year. Her retired parents, Elizabeth, 70, and Terence Fordham, 80, had been travelling around Europe in a motor home for four years after selling their home and paying off their debts. Humphreys, who was 21 years old and a trainee financial adviser at the time, was left in charge of their finances. The couple had nearly £55,000 in their savings account, w...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

The Platforms Association acquires the UK Platform Awards

The Platforms Association acquires the UK Platform Awards

Clive Waller hands over the awards programme

Isabel Baxter
clock 30 July 2026 • 2 min read
FCA bereavement survey sent to just 12 firms – 'A very small dip in the ocean'

FCA bereavement survey sent to just 12 firms – 'A very small dip in the ocean'

Covers advisers, platforms and wealth managers

Sophia Panayi
clock 30 July 2026 • 3 min read
'Underperforming' sector does more damage to women over time

'Underperforming' sector does more damage to women over time

Y Tree executive director Eliana Sydes speaks to PA

Sophia Panayi
clock 29 July 2026 • 2 min read