VELTYCO in Financial Turmoil
VELTYCO GROUP PLC, the publicly traded company tied to German gambling entrepreneur Uwe Lenhoff, is facing serious challenges. After months of declining financial performance, the company is once again in the spotlight—this time for a controversial change in shareholder structure.
On December 6, 2018, documents filed with the London Stock Exchange (LSE) appeared to show that German investor Falk-Uwe Preussner had significantly increased his stake in VELTYCO. However, conflicting information and whistleblower reports suggest the opposite—that Preussner may have actually sold a portion of his holdings.
Conflicting Disclosures and Unanswered Questions
Initially, stock filings indicated that Falk Preussner had acquired an additional 2.1 million shares, increasing his ownership to nearly 6% of the company’s voting rights. But shortly after this report, an anonymous source claimed that Preussner had sold around 225,000 shares in recent weeks.
This raises several possibilities:
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Preussner sold shares, possibly contributing to the recent stock drop
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Preussner bought shares at a lower price, increasing his influence
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VELTYCO failed to accurately report the transaction
The VELTYCO board has so far not responded to inquiries, further compounding doubts about its internal transparency.
Table: Timeline of Events
Date |
Event |
Aug 2017 |
Preussner, via Independent Ideas GmbH, acquires 3.2% stake |
Mar 2018 |
Uwe Lenhoff and two directors resign from the Board |
Oct 2018 |
CEO Melissa Blau unexpectedly resigns after six months |
Nov 2018 |
VELTYCO discloses liquidity issues and receivables problems |
Dec 2018 |
Preussner reportedly acquires/sells additional shares (conflicting) |
VELTYCO’s Stock Collapse
Once trading at GBX 95 in early 2018, VELTYCO shares have fallen to GBX 12—a loss of more than 87%. As of December 2018, the company’s market capitalization had dropped below £10 million, officially making it a penny stock.
Contributing Factors:
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Unreliable disclosures
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Missed receivables
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Offshore structures with questionable legal status
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Dependence on revenue from companies tied to Uwe Lenhoff
Who Is Falk-Uwe Preussner?
Falk Preussner has been a VELTYCO shareholder since August 2017 through his German firm Independent Ideas GmbH (based in Hannover). His recent stake increase to nearly 6% of voting rights was not coordinated with other shareholders and came without a public statement from the company.
There are no indications that VELTYCO issued new shares, which implies an internal transfer—likely a block of shares sold by an existing investor. The purchase price remains undisclosed.
Governance Concerns and Lack of Transparency
VELTYCO’s public communications have frequently been called into question. Critics highlight:
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Vague or inaccurate stock exchange filings
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No disclosure of financial ties with Lenhoff-owned companies
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Questionable business relationships with offshore and unlicensed firms
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More than €10 million owed to VELTYCO by companies linked to Uwe Lenhoff
Despite multiple reports and inquiries, the company has failed to offer clarity to shareholders or the public.
Final Note
VELTYCO’s ongoing struggles with transparency, compliance, and financial stability raise serious concerns for both investors and regulators. The conflicting reports about Falk Preussner’s (website) involvement are just the latest in a long list of governance issues.
Further investigations into VELTYCO’s operations, shareholders, and business ties are expected. A detailed report on Falk Preussner and the background to this transaction is reportedly in preparation.