Cold Call Kingpin Banned for Eight Years Over 63 Million Nuisance Calls
Duncan Paul, former director of notorious firm CRDNN Limited, has been slapped with an eight-year ban from running any business. Paul joins co-director Stephen Foote, who faced the same penalty earlier this year. Together, they orchestrated a spam call blitz, firing off over 63 million unsolicited calls in just a few months back in 2018.
CRDNN’s Rogue Calls Spark Safety Scare
Based in Clydebank, CRDNN blasted automated calls UK-wide, pushing services from window scrappage to boiler sales. Many calls bluntly lied, falsely claiming ties to Scottish and UK government energy-saving schemes. The nuisance escalated to chaos when their calls jammed Network Rail’s control centre near Fort William, creating serious safety risks.
£500,000 Fine Ignored as Company Liquidated
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) hit CRDNN with a hefty £500,000 fine in 2020 – the maximum legal penalty. But the company simply folded in January 2021 without coughing up the cash, dodging responsibility while consumers continued to suffer.
ICO Cracks Down on Call Harassment
Mike Smith, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, blasted the pair: “Duncan Paul’s company plagued homes and businesses with nuisance cold calls, disrupting the lives of millions. Victims endured relentless calls—even after trying to opt out.”
The ICO logged almost 3,000 complaints during the call frenzy, plus 411 more reports through the Telephone Preference Service. Investigations confirmed CRDNN had zero proof recipients had consented—a clear breach of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.
Trevor Callaghan, ICO’s Director of Enforcement, added, “These directors recklessly harassed millions, causing huge disruption while endangering public services. Their actions deserved the maximum fine.”
Ban Sends Warning to Rogue Call Firms
The bans bar Paul and Foote from promoting, forming, or managing any company unless a court says otherwise. This crackdown is a major blow to nuisance call operators, aiming to protect the public and safety services alike. The ICO vows to continue teaming up with agencies like the Insolvency Service to stop these spammers from coming back under new names.
