ITV broadcasts a 'reality' show, similar to the BBC's 'Dragon's Den', called 'Perfect Pitch', on which people trying to get investment for a business idea, have the opportunity to make a pitch to a panel of successful business entrepreneurs, including Lincoln Bannertime.

Melanie appears on the programme with a business idea called 'Veni, Vidi, Vegan' in which customers can place online orders for cooked vegan meals from a range of restaurants for home delivery, much in the style of Deliveroo or Just Eat.

She tells the panel that her idea is 'pure gold'. She claims that the extra popularity that such businesses have enjoyed during the lockdown will continue post-pandemic, and that her special emphasis on vegan meals is 'unique and right on trend'.

Lincoln suggests to her that the market might already be saturated, and that established restaurants, all of which already have deliverable vegan options, will not want to become involved with another takeaway agency.

In response, Melanie tells him that she has contacted all the restaurants that currently work with Deliveroo and Just Eat to see if they might want to use her services, and that they have all sent her 'positive responses'. In fact, they have all wished her well with the venture, but they have also all declined her suggestions of a working relationship. Melanie does not tell Lincoln about the rejections - just about the good wishes.

Melanie also tells the entrepreneurs that she has already been working with some top chefs on special menus they might supply for the venture, including Gordon Ramsay and Asma Khan, and that she has letters from them commending her idea, and stating how much they value their professional relationship. In fact, Melanie has forged these letters, but none of the entrepreneurs ask to see them, taking her at her word. Had they checked, the fact that they are forgeries would have been immediately obvious.

Melanie truthfully informs the entrepreneurs that she has been booked to appear on several popular television magazine programmes, such as This Morning and The One Show to promote her venture.

Lincoln is very impressed, and offers her 50,000 for a 15% share in her business. Melanie accepts this offer, and Lincoln's lawyers start to draw up the paperwork to confirm the deal.

However, before the deal is finalised, Melanie discovers that all the TV shows on which she was due to have appeared have cancelled her, having received complaints from the established delivery companies about giving her venture free publicity when she was about to enter into direct competition with them. Melanie does not tell Lincoln about this, and he signs the deal not knowing about these cancellations.

The venture proves to be a financial disaster, and Lincoln loses the whole of his investment,

Advise Lincoln as to any claims he may have against Melanie for misrepresentation.