Equity Bank Limited - F.S.C - Public Warnings Mr John Ross

This notice is issued by the Financial Supervision Commission (“the Commission”) in accordance with the powers conferred upon it under Section 30 of the Financial Services Act 2008.

The Financial Supervision Commission has become aware of emails sent to members of the public indicating that large sums of money had been won from an online lottery. An email authored by a Mr John Ross as General Manager, Public Relations of the purported entity Equity Bank Limited claims that the company held the sum of US$500,000 on deposit for the lucky ’winner’.

Other documentation produced by the purported entity Equity Bank Limited includes what appears to be a forged bank statement which claims that the purported entity Equity Bank Limited is a company incorporated in the Isle of Man and is licensed by the Financial Supervision Commission for banking, investment and corporate service provider business. This is incorrect.

A list of all entities licensed and regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission can be found on our website at http://www.iomfsa.im/

The Commission has established no association between the above entity and any genuine Isle of Man companies.

The Commission has established no genuine links between the above entity and the Isle of Man.

Under the circumstances, the Commission would strongly urge persons considering dealing with this potentially fraudulent entity to exercise the greatest possible caution before proceeding, bearing in mind the contents of this public notice.

Under the circumstances the Commission feels that the approach that was made to the potential victim was to tempt the recipient into becoming the victim of an Advanced Fee Fraud – see explanatory notice issued by the Commission at:

http://www.iomfsa.im/ViewNews.gov?page=lib/news/iomfsa/westafricanfraud.xml&menuid=11570

OR

Is an attempt at gaining personal data from the recipient in order to steal their identity – see explanatory notice issued by the Commission at:

http://www.iomfsa.im/ViewNews.gov?page=lib/news/iomfsa/identitytheft.xml&menuid=11570

Also see information issued by the Isle of Man Office of the Data Protection Supervisor at:

http://www.gov.im/lib/news/odps/yourinformationy.xml

Any persons who are already involved in any dealings with the above entities and have concerns should contact the Enforcement Division on +44 1624 689311 or by e-mail to fsc@gov.im.

Any persons who have paid funds to the above entities should consider contacting their local Police Fraud Unit without delay.

FSC Reference: NDR/07/2011