New York, Feb. 20 : Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford was in the process of launching an investment-related business in the United Kingdom when he was charged with committing an eight billion dollar fraud by US authorities.

Documents seen by The Daily Telegraph suggest that Stanford was preparing to open a UK base for his sprawling financial empire, which he purports spanned investors in more than 140 countries.

FBI agents tracked down Sir Allen in Virginia, whom US federal prosecutors are investigating for operating an alleged Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors around the globe.

In September 2008, Sir Allen registered two new companies - Stanford Group Holding (UK) and Stanford Group (UK), the former being the parent of the latter.

According to the documents filed at Companies House, Stanford is the sole shareholder in Stanford Group (UK), which has a paid-up share capital of a million pounds.

At the time of incorporation, American-born Louis Staley was the sole director and company secretary of both entities.

Staley, 62, who lives in Kensington but could not be contacted last night, was once a registered representative with the Financial Services Authority (FSA), but his current status, according to the City regulator''s register is ''inactive''. (ANI)