{
  "id": 7662687,
  "title": "Is bankrupt competitions boss behind new scheme?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/is-bankrupt-competitions-boss-behind-new-scheme",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T00:14:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e3ryrl30lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ami Shuttleworth and her fiancé Chris Smith were overjoyed when they were told they had won £10,000 in a competition run by Level Up Giveaways. However, when they did not receive their prize money, they were left angry and stressed. The company that ran the competition, based in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, went bankrupt in August 2025 due to unpaid debts. Its director, Anton Hall, was also made bankrupt as part of separate proceedings. Hall is now involved in a new prize draw venture, which would breach his bankruptcy order if he ran it directly. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has rules prohibiting bankrupt individuals from being involved in the formation or management of limited companies. However, there are no restrictions on a bankrupt person working as an employee of a company. Hall claims he would be an employee of the new venture and has suggested he is personally managing it. But he appears to be taking a leading role in promoting and running the enterprise. The Insolvency Service, which manages Hall's bankruptcy, has been contacted by Raffall, the company behind the new venture, regarding a personal account registered to Hall. Hall told the BBC that he will not be running competitions in the new venture, as it is a \"big if\" and could potentially generate profit. He also suggested that some of the profits from the new venture might be used to pay out those who did not receive their winnings from Level Up Giveaways.",
  "summary": "The man behind a competions company which went bust owing thousands is back with a new venture.",
  "key_points": [
    "Anton Hall bankrupt due to unpaid debts in Level Up Giveaways",
    "Hall involved in new prize draw venture, potential breach of bankruptcy order",
    "Insolvency Service contacted about Hall's personal account linked to new venture"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The involvement of a newly bankrupt individual in a new venture raises questions about adherence to bankruptcy rules and the potential for restitution to those left unpaid by his previous company.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}