The Ospreys have been forced to apologise after a post appeared on their social media channels

Legal experts suggest that the clubs may eventually recover some of the lost money through cyber-forensic tracing and insurance claims, though the process could take months or even years. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies in the UK and abroad have been alerted.

Interpol has reportedly been contacted to assist in identifying the international perpetrators, several of whom are believed to have operated under aliases and false passports.

The scandal comes at a sensitive time for Welsh rugby, as ongoing financial uncertainty has already prompted difficult conversations about mergers, regional restructuring, and funding models.

Many fear that the latest controversy could undermine efforts to attract new investors and sponsors, particularly from abroad.

“Perception is everything in sport,” said a former WRU financial consultant. “If people think the game isn’t professionally run, money dries up quickly.”

For now, the Ospreys are in damage-control mode. Club leadership has held meetings with fans, sponsors, and regional stakeholders to reassure them that the situation is under control and that safeguards are being implemented.

Both the WRU and Scarlets have publicly accepted the Ospreys’ apology, emphasizing unity and transparency as the way forward.

“This was a hard lesson for everyone involved,” a WRU spokesperson said. “But it’s also an opportunity to strengthen the governance and integrity of Welsh rugby as a whole.”

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Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley held an open evening with fans(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)

The Ospreys have issued a public apology late on Saturday night after sharing an image of a fan’s question asking if the Scarlets’ new investors were ‘con men’.

The incident happened at a fan engagement event in Swansea on September 23, with Scarlets investors House of Luxury Group understood to be furious about the situation. An image of the question posed by an Ospreys supporters appeared on the Ospreys’ social media feeds during their post-promotion of the event.

The meeting with supporters was held by chief executive Lance Bradley at the Patti Pavilion, close to St Helen’s in Swansea. It came amid deep concerns swirling around Welsh rugby as the Welsh Rugby Union proposes to cut the number of professional teams from four to two.

The statement from the Ospreys, released on Saturday night, read: “On Tuesday 23 September 2025 we held a fan engagement evening.

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“To manage the Q&A, we used an app which allows attendees to pose questions.

“One audience member posed the question “Are HOL con men?” which briefly appeared on a large screen on the stage.

“Photos of the evening with this question visible in the background were subsequently published on our social media channels.

“We apologise to the House of Luxury Group for the distress and upset caused by the publication of these photos, to the House of Luxury Group Board, and those connected with the company.”

Tensions are currently running high among the regions, with each side insistent they deserve to remain as part of Welsh rugby’s new structure. House of Luxury (HOL) began an investment partnership with the Scarlets in August and its sports section House of Sports & Entertainment have assumed day-to-day control of the club’s off-field activity.

The company facilitates off-market deals for high value assets, focusing on both private acquisitions and confidential sales. Its owners insist they have huge passion for Welsh rugby and plan to be involved for the long haul.

HOL’s chief experience officer Simon Kozlowski has publicly stated if one team remains in the west it must be the Scarlets due to their superior infrastructure and rich history. The Ospreys, naturally, have a different view given they are the most successful Welsh region over the last 20 years.

The firm, led by its founder, CEO and chair, Kirsti Jane Baker, 36, originally from Pontypridd, is registered as a limited liability company in Montana and it isn’t required to disclose financial accounts or details of its ownership structure in that state.

If the Scarlets survive the radical restructuring of the professional game then they will assume a 55% shareholding in the club.

In order to do this it will need to pass a fit and proper test with the WRU.

“HOL expects to work with the WRU on due diligence as they become a shareholder,” said Kozlowski.

“A two-way process clearly makes sense for all parties. As of right now, HoL is not a shareholder and current scarlets directors are still in place – however, over time HOL will become a majority shareholder and as a result we will need to work with the WRU accordingly.”

Prior to HOL’s investment, Carmarthenshire-based politicians and the Scarlets’ supporters’ group objected to the Ospreys plans to redevelop St Helen’s – a move the Swansea-based outfit see as key to their future.

The WRU board is due to reach a decision on the way forward by the end of the month, with a reduction to two or three teams expected and highly likely to set in motion a period of instability and recriminations.

In a stunning revelation that has rocked Welsh rugby to its core, the Ospreys have issued an urgent public apology to Scarlets investors after admitting they were deceived in a high-profile financial scam that jeopardized significant club funds. The Swansea-based giants, one of Wales’s most decorated regional sides, confirmed on Friday that senior executives had unknowingly entered into what they believed was a legitimate commercial partnership — only to discover that the deal was part of an elaborate con orchestrated by professional fraudsters posing as international investors.

According to a detailed statement released by the Ospreys, the fraudulent scheme involved individuals claiming to represent a European investment consortium with interests in sports, renewable energy, and stadium infrastructure. They allegedly approached both Ospreys and Scarlets through a third-party intermediary, promising lucrative funding opportunities that could strengthen regional rugby’s financial base. What initially appeared to be a golden opportunity quickly turned into a nightmare that left both clubs scrambling to limit the damage.

Club officials have since admitted that the con men used forged legal documents, fake business credentials, and convincing corporate websites to gain trust. They arranged meetings in reputable venues, produced seemingly authentic letters of credit, and even managed to extract confidential financial data from the Ospreys as part of “due diligence” procedures. By the time red flags emerged, the damage had already been done. Several transfers and deposits had been initiated, and confidential business information had been compromised.

An emergency audit, launched after suspicious activity was detected by the club’s financial department, uncovered inconsistencies between promised payments and actual banking records. Internal investigators then discovered that the supposed investment firm did not exist in any official register, and the individuals involved had disappeared — leaving only a trail of digital deception. Within days, the Ospreys realized they had been duped, and that the scheme had indirectly affected the Scarlets, whose investors had also been courted by the same fraudulent network.

Faced with growing internal and external pressure, Ospreys management moved quickly to issue an apology to Scarlets investors, acknowledging their role in introducing what they believed was a credible partnership opportunity. “We take full responsibility for our involvement,” the statement read. “While we acted in good faith and conducted extensive checks, we were the victims of an exceptionally sophisticated scam. We deeply regret that Scarlets investors were drawn into this situation as a result of our initial engagement.”

Behind the scenes, both clubs have been in crisis meetings with legal advisers, forensic accountants, and the Welsh Rugby Union. Sources close to the WRU confirmed that the governing body is monitoring the situation closely, as it raises broader concerns about financial governance within regional rugby. The WRU’s integrity department is now working alongside law enforcement agencies to trace the perpetrators, recover lost assets, and ensure no further breaches occur.

The financial repercussions remain unclear. Although officials insist that no public or supporter funds have been directly lost, insiders suggest that the scam could have temporarily frozen or diverted key operational accounts. The impact on sponsorship negotiations and investor confidence could be significant. “This couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said one industry analyst. “Welsh rugby is already facing financial strain — falling attendance, limited TV revenue, and rising player costs. Something like this can shake trust in the entire regional system.”

The Scarlets, based in Llanelli, have reportedly reacted with both anger and restraint. In their own statement, the club confirmed they were cooperating fully with authorities but expressed frustration that their investors were exposed to risk without their direct involvement. “We were made aware of potential opportunities through introductions linked to Ospreys management,” their statement read. “While we appreciate the Ospreys’ apology and transparency, this situation has caused understandable concern among our investor community.”

For the Ospreys, this episode marks a painful lesson in the importance of financial vigilance. The club’s leadership, under immense scrutiny, has vowed to implement sweeping reforms to its risk assessment and vetting processes. These include mandatory external verification of all investment proposals, stricter data-security measures, and the creation of a dedicated compliance unit to handle third-party negotiations. “We will not allow something like this to happen again,” said the club’s Chief Executive. “We were targeted because of our visibility and ambition. But we will come out stronger, more transparent, and more resilient.”

Fans, too, have been quick to react. Many have expressed shock that a club of Ospreys’ stature could fall victim to such an elaborate deception. On social media, supporters have demanded accountability, questioning how a professional organization could be drawn so deeply into a scam without catching warning signs earlier. Others, however, have expressed sympathy, noting that sophisticated fraud schemes have fooled even multinational corporations. “It could happen to anyone,” one fan wrote. “At least they’re owning up to it and working to make things right.”

Authorities believe the fraudsters may be part of a wider European syndicate known for targeting sports organizations and entertainment entities with promises of quick capital injections. Similar scams have reportedly hit smaller football clubs across Europe, particularly those struggling financially and seeking private funding to offset operational losses. The Ospreys case, however, is among the most high-profile incidents to hit Welsh sport in recent memory, and could prompt sweeping changes to how clubs across the country manage external business dealings.

Despite the embarrassment and the immediate fallout, there are early signs that this scandal could lead to positive reform. The WRU has already announced plans to conduct a region-wide audit of all commercial partnerships, with stricter compliance requirements and oversight mechanisms. Rugby officials hope that by turning a moment of crisis into an opportunity for structural improvement, the sport can restore public trust and protect its financial future.

As the investigation continues, Welsh rugby fans are watching closely — anxious, frustrated, but hopeful that lessons will be learned. The Ospreys’ willingness to accept responsibility and cooperate with both the Scarlets and law enforcement could prove decisive in rebuilding credibility. For now, one truth stands clear: in an era of growing financial pressure and global scams, vigilance and transparency must become as vital to Welsh rugby’s survival as skill and strength are on the field.