Former England rugby international Paul Sampson, once married to TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, has revealed he was left penniless and sleeping in his car after falling victim to a £450,000 fraud. The 48-year-old, who earned three caps for England, now works 53 hours a week in a warehouse to rebuild his life.
Sampson told The Times he was diagnosed with severe post-concussion syndrome (PPCS) in 2023, a condition affecting memory and decision-making. He believes this vulnerability was exploited by fraudsters who tricked him into investing in a defence start-up company in 2019. He made five payments totalling £450,000, selling a property, draining his savings and borrowing from his partner's parents.
He was promised monthly returns of £11,000, which initially arrived but then stopped. The company's directors ceased contact, and Sampson lost his home and relationship, forcing him to sleep in his car. He reported the fraud to Barclays in 2025, but the bank rejected his claim as it fell outside the six-year time limit. The National Fraud Helpline has since called for a review.
Barclays said it held four scam prevention conversations with Sampson before the payments, and he confirmed he wanted them to proceed. The bank expressed sympathy but noted the claim was outside the deadline. Sampson is also among former players pursuing legal action against rugby governing bodies over brain injuries, which they deny liability for.
