Bogus Website - sboffshore / Glamorgan Bank - Update
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.
Update – 21st February 2013 – Glamorgan Bank
The Commission has recently become aware of the above mentioned website which falsely claims to be associated with the genuine company, Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited who have their genuine registered office address at One Circular Road, Douglas, Isle of Man.
Individuals have received emails notifying them that they have won £450,000 plus a car. A scanned copy of a bogus cheque purporting to be issued by the genuine Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited for that amount is attached to the email.
The recipients of the emails are invited to logon to the bogus website www.sboffshore.com which purports to represent the genuine Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited. One requirement of being able to ‘logon’ to this bogus site is the deposit of £500 which is a ‘compulsory initial deposit’ to activate their account.
Emails have been seen using the names Dr Olson Judd and Angelique Fontain purporting to be from the Customer Service Unit.
The Commission wishes to draw attention to the following observations:
There is no website titled www.sboffshore.com linked to the genuine Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited.
The Commission has established no association between the above website and any genuine Isle of Man companies.
The Commission has established no genuine links between the above website and the Isle of Man.
A search of all genuine companies incorporated in the Isle of Man is available.
A search of all entities licensed by the Commission is available.
Under the circumstances, the Commission would strongly urge persons considering accessing this potentially fraudulent website to exercise the greatest possible caution before proceeding, bearing in mind the contents of this public notice.
Under the circumstances, the Commission feels that any person accessing this potentially fraudulent website may become the victim of an Advanced Fee Fraud.
OR
It may be an attempt at gaining personal data from the recipient in order to steal their identity.
Also see information issued by the Isle of Man Office of the Data Protection Supervisor.
Any persons who are already involved in any dealings with the above entity and have concerns should contact the Enforcement Division on +44 1624 689311 or by e-mail to fsc@gov.im for advice.
Any persons who may have any concerns as to whether or not they are dealing with the genuine Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited may wish to satisfy themselves by contacting the genuine Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited. Contact details for the genuine Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited are available on their website at: www.standardbank.com
Update 21 February 2013
The Commission is now aware that similar communications to those described above are being sent out with reference to cheques being drawn on the Glamorgan Bank, still using the address of One Circular Road, Douglas, Isle of Man.
One Circular Road, Douglas, Isle of Man is the address of the genuine Standard Bank (Isle of Man) Limited. The genuine Standard Bank (Isle of Man) Limited have no connection whatsoever with an entity by the name of Glamorgan Bank.
There is no genuine company incorporated in the Isle of Man with the name Glamorgan Bank. There is no entity by the name of Glamorgan Bank licensed to conduct regulated activities in the Isle of Man.
The Commission has established no association between the above website and any genuine Isle of Man companies.
The Commission has established no genuine links between the above website and the Isle of Man.
Again, any persons who are already involved in any dealings with the above entity and have concerns should contact the Enforcement Division on +44 1624 689311 or by e-mail to fsc@gov.im for advice.
Update – FSC ref NDR/02/2013