Directory scam: Registration of the World Business Directory 2010/2011
March 9, 2010 83 Comments
MX Lab reported in 2009 about the misleading marketing trick that the World Business Directory uses. Guess what, they are back!
MX Lab received a new registration form from the World Business Directory and again, we want to point out a few things before you sign their contract.
The email comes from info@companyworld2010.com, with the subject “Registration of the World Business Directory 2010/2011″ and this is the email content:
Dear Madam/Sir,
In order to have your company registered in the World Business
Directory for 2010/2011, please print, complete and return the
enclosed form (PDF file) to the following address:World Business Directory
Suite 149 – Rosden House – 372 Old Street
EC1V 9AU / London – United Kingdom
E-mail: office@companyworld2010.com
Fax: +44 207 806 8157Updating is free of charge!
To unsubscribe, please send an email to
unsubscribe@companyworld2010.com
Attached is a PDF file named world-businessdirectory.pdf.
The 1st point that needs your attention is the text block 1:
To update your company profile, please print, complete and return
this form (Updating is free of charge). Only sign if you want to
place an insertion.
As you can read, updating is free of charge but if you want your company get listed in this directory you will need to sign and have to pay.
What is the price of this directory you may ask yourself? Well, you have to go to text block 2 with the very small letters and this includes:
I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATA BASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS GBP 980.
And there you have it, this contract will cost your business a total amount of GBP 2940 over 3 years. After the 3 years subscription you can stop your contract if you inform them on time:
THE SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED EVERY YEAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR, UNLESS SPECIFIC WRITTEN NOTICE IS RECEIVED BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER OR THE SUBSCRIBER TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE SUBSCRIPTION.
A few arguments from our side that this is a scam:
The from email address contains the domain companyworld2010.com and when trying to see if there is a site online we got the notification “This account has been suspended”. We might see new emails from the World Business Directory appear with other domains.
When getting some WHOIS information on the domain we got the following:
Registrant:
international group c/o Free Private Reg
P.O. Box 81024
Burnaby, BC V5H 4K2
CA
Domain name: COMPANYWORLD2010.COM
Administrative Contact:
boot, cornelis companyworld2010.com@freeprivateregistration.com
P.O. Box 81024
Burnaby, BC V5H 4K2
CA
852-3594-1708
Technical Contact:
Hostmaster, Domain hostmaster@doteasy.com
Suite 210 - 3602 Gilmore Way
Burnaby, BC V5G 4W9
CA
(604) 434-4307 Fax: (604) 608-6832
Registrar of Record: In2net Network Inc.
Record last updated on 05-Mar-2010.
Record expires on 05-Mar-2011.
Record created on 05-Mar-2010.
Domain servers in listed order:
DNS8.DOTEASY.COM 65.61.199.14
DNS7.DOTEASY.COM 65.61.198.14
Domain status: clientTransferProhibited
clientUpdateProhibited
|
||||
The registrant information is rather vague and points to a PO Box and the administrative contact has the same address. The domain freeprivateregistration.com in the email address of the administrative contact is just a domain alias from doteasy.com. These details must be fake.
In 2009, the PDF document needed to be returned to an address in The Netherlands, in this 2010/2011 edition it needs to be returned to an address in London, UK.
When visiting their site at http://www.world-businessdirectory.com/ on the ‘About us’ page we found the following text:
The World Business Directory online is product of EU Business Services Ltd, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Nevis, West Indies.
We also found the UK address on the ‘Contact us’ page.
Our recommendation is: don’t sign the document and don’t do business with this company.
Follow these guidelines if you are a victim of this directory scam:
- Do not pay, even if they imply to take your case to court.
- If you have paid a certain amount, stop the next payments. Expect that you won’t get a refund either.
- Send them a letter informing them you have been misled and telling them to cancel the contract.
- If possible, report to (local) authorities.
Additional information:
Stop EU Business Services Ltd Trading As World Business Directory
Stop world-businessdirectory.com
On the web site of Richard Corbett you can find some background information about directory scams and what to do when you are a victim of such a scam.
Pingback: London Business Directory
Phony directories or yellow page scams usually target small to medium sized businesses. The scam manifests itself in the form of solicitors calling businesses and seeking to verify the company’s name and physical location, and allegedly calling to “renew” or “re-enroll” an existent yellow pages listing or advertisement. Many companies or their employees are misled into accepting the alleged “renewals.” The illegitimate directory provider immediately sends an invoice for this service, usually in the amount of hundreds of dollars, and threatens businesses with collections or credit report damage should they dispute the charges or decline to pay.
Harassing calls, threats and use of obscene language can pressurize you to the edge and moreover, a collector may embarrass you by contacting your employer or even be pursued to disburse for a debt that is not rightfully yours.
There are limits on how far telemarketers can go, that is why we provide information on how to put an end to telemarketer calls and more efficiently, how to correspond with them about your account and/or to dispute a collection action and can teach you what are your rights in terms of privacy.
You can find out more information on our website: http://www.spgconsultants.com
By informing each other, we protect each other
Yep got the same thing but mine out of spain.
Here is the adress:
EU Business Register, C/ Azcona, 58, local · BOX 252 · 28020 · MADRID · SPAIN · Fax: +34 91 791 9167
And here is the line:
“EU BUSINESS REGISTER”. I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATABASE FOR
THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO 995. THE SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED EVERY YEAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR
( I am from the netherlands so they send it from another country of course)
Hello! I also got such an E-Mail: Betreff: Business Registration 2010/2011
Ladies and Gentlemen.
In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses for 2010/2011 edition, please print, complete and submit the enclosed form (PDF file) to the following address:
WORLD COMPANY REGISTER
P.O. BOX 3079
3502 GB, UTRECHT
THE NETHERLANDS
email: register@wcr2010now.com
FAX: +31 20 203 1129
Updating is free of charge!
TAKE CARE because this you can read under “ORDER”: “…. I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATABASE FOR THREE YEARS. THRE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO 995. …”.
This scam arrived to New Zealand too. Today I received an email from donotreply@gregsite.com with the same request. As a rule of thumb I never open PDFs from unknown or unexpected sources. I entered the domain name on my browser- it went to Google and nothing came up. Then I scrolled down the text of their email to check on http://www.wcr2010.com . This is how google revealed your much appreciated informative site. These low life crooks are preying on busy executives who pass on the email to a junior clerk ending up with false invoicing.
Keep up the good work
Cheers
Martin , Auckland, New Zealand
I have recently taken over an existing business and recieved the World Company Register e-mail asking me to complete the form, needing to inform existing advertisers of the changes I continued on, having take “FREE” I admit having been slap happy in signing. I now have realised the scam, legal or not its totally imoral taking advantage of people and their good will. Having visted the site I can’t even find my information on there, so I assum It is fare not to pay for a product that isn’t being provided?
I received( Poland) the same message about two weeks ago from WORLD REGISTER COMPANY
P.O. BOX 3079
3502 GB UTRECHT
THE NETHERLANDS
Unfortunately, I signed and sent the form. In response to the account I sent the resignation and the information that the technique used by the company mislead-misledaing informations (free of charge). product, service and operation of the company appears to be suspicious. In response, I received phone calls, e-mails and a letter (so far) but I do not intend to pay. The company is a fraud and I will do my best, bu its activities were limited. It deals with the European Commission, Ms Kuner Rue de la Loi 200 B-1049 Brussels. Iwill also write to the Polish representatives of the European Parliament on the matter and report to local authorities. I know one thing, this practice should be cut down.
Szanowna Pani Agnieszko,
Również nierozważnie podpisałem “zamówienie” od firmy World Business Directory. Fakturę i CD odesłałem i nie zapłaciłem. Teraz otrzymuję ponaglenia na coraz większe kwoty. Ostatnia wiadomość od WBD zawiera informację o zamiarze skierowania sprawy do sądu. Czy otrzymała Pani odpowiedź od polskich władz i czy ma Pani informacje o innych polskich firmach nabranych przez WRC lub WBD?
Pozdrawiam
Witam
prosze napisać czy sparawa juz sie zakończyła ?
otrzymalismy w firmie dzis 1 wezwanie do zaplaty.
Nie placimy.
Jak to jest u Pana ?
Witam,
miałem identyczną historię (a właściwie mam, bo jest w toku) ale z “firmą” EU Business Register.
EU Business Register
BOX 252 – 28020 Madrid
SPAIN
Też nieopatrznie podpisałem. Dostałem fakturę i wtedy mnie strzeliło bo w mailu było, że umieszczenie danych firmy jest bezpłatne – tego drobnym drukiem na wniosku oczywiście nie przeczytałem, a tam było m.in. I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATABASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO 995. Oczywiście nie zapłaciłem, dostałem już dwa ponaglenia z groźbami prawnymi i naliczonymi dodatkowymi kosztami. Odpisałem, że świadomie wprowadzili mnie w błąd, rezygnuję z rzekomej usługi, i zażądałem usunięcia wszystkich danych mojej firmy. W odpowiedzi otrzymałem maila:
Thank you for your e-mail and apologize the late reply.
I deeply regret the misunderstanding, but as already checked with our Constract Administration Department, the order for services we received from your company is a valid contract for three years. The order contains all the necessary information, including the price per year- EUR 995,-. Our part of the agreement was fulfilled, as the IT Department has already drawn your profile and we are compelled by this contract to keep your company advertised for this year. After the insertion of your company into our register, invoice no. 75858 was issued and your obligation for payment stands, as the services have already been delivered.
As per your cancellation request, I can now help you to cancel the following two years, provided payment of the invoice no. 75858 reaches our bank account in due time.
For more information, do not hesitate to reply.
Best regards,
Ms Roxanne
Account Manager
EU Business Services Ltd.
Fax: 0031 205 248 107
Oczywiście, nie zamierzam płacić. Ping-pong nadal trwa, dalej otrzymuję ponaglenia. Ciekaw jestem jak u Państwa. Chętnie przyłączę się do walki z tym procederem.
Pozdrawiam
Witam, mam podobny problem, czy Ktoś może mi pomóc ? bardzo chciałabym się dowiedzieć, jak Państwo rozwiązaliście sprawę z W.B.G.
Z góry dziękuję za info.
Witam,
prosze napisać czy sparawa juz sie zakończyła ?
Pozdrawiam,
Jevgenija
I had to add my comments to this article it is such a shame that companies like Business World Directory can do business in this way. It gives companies like myself a bad name in the industry. I our team work very hard to offer quality business listings in our directory. I have also come across another company who charge huge amounts of money to be listed in their online directory.
Here is a free tip for all potential businesses who want to list on a online directory do your home work look at what page rank they have also look at what type of companies are listed within the directory also go to Alexa and get more detailed information before you part with your cash. Another question you should be asking yourself what am I going to get for my money and what are they going to do to help me gain more quality traffic.
So my final thoughts on this be careful if it sounds too good then it will not be click away.
Business1Directory.com
Different Approach to Advertising Your Business
The problem with this perticular approach was that I had no idea I would have to part with money. Now I’m wiser and understand how foolish I was but any professional company would realise the mistake and happily take me off the register. (Which actually has no knowlage of me when I look) My advice is just ignore their attempts to contact you, they seem to enjoy sending you LONG e-mails in return full of more misleading terms and conditions to confuse even the brightest of people. I’m sure if they take anyone to court we can all group together in support, it just wouldn’t happen>
Just received the email. It’s so funny, they mention that updating is “free of charge”. The Internet is full of scammers. They’re shooting pretty high with around $4500. Wow.
Anyways, directories are now a dead business, Google doesn’t index them anymore, people don’t go to them anymore, and advertisers don’t buy spots there anymore.
I have just received a phone call from this company to tell me that their dept collecting company will be dealing with us from now on.
I have explained to her that I will be forwarding the phone calls on to our solicitors as I have found at least 8 other companies, through forums on the internet, who are currently dealing with their harrassment and are happy to join forces.
I have a feeling it will be a long year of abusive phone calls now.
I’m curious to see how things are going with The World Company Register? I have fallen for this scam and they are trying to get 1420 Euros from me. I have begged and pleaded with these people and they wont give me the time of day.
I spoke to a lawyer yesterday and he told me I should find out if anyone else is having a problem with them and to see if the Attorny General has been involved.
SPG Consultants is a SCAM. SPG Consultants promised me that if I paid them they would cancel all my existing invoices from telemarketing companies that sell advertising. I had a total of five outstanding invoices, all for directory advertising. I received a letter from only one company stating that they would cancel the invoice. Another company told me that SPG Consultants was actually affiliated with some of these scam telemarketing companies based out of Montreal, Canada. I looked them up on their website and I noticed that they were based out of Montreal. I tried calling them using the phone number listed on their website and I would always get a voice mail and then I would get a call back. After doing some research I found out that the phone number listed on their website is actually a cellular phone with Telus Mobility. I Have reported SPG Consultant to the RCMP and they have told be they are currently in the process of investigating this company. They have advised me not to pay any invoices and to not accept any calls from SPG Consultants.
I received an email from them with the same attached form and printed out the form and filled it in,signed it and posted it to them in the Netherlands to see what happens next!
I am also suffering from this worldcompanyregister.com. I had received couple of mails regarding insertion which is mentioned “update is free of charge” and thought that it would be beneficial hence I had signed and posted it to them. Now, I just received the final reminder for the payment Euro 995, if it is not paid within 7 days then legal action will be taken with the name Alessia, Account Manager. Also mentioned that there is Euro 300 legal charges and Euro 134 for administrative fees will be levied.
After receiving similar information from other companies enlisted in this site then I thought that the payment should be stopped, previously I were ready to pay.
I had mailed at alessia@internationaldirectoriesgroup.com from where invoice received to cancel my insertion but lady told me it is not possible.
Let’s see what will happened.
I too sent the form (#1 mistake) to Utrect (#2 mistake) – who requests forms by mail ONLY nowadays?
When I realized they wanted 995 euros per year I trashed the form, thinking, hmmm, they never asked me for funds at the outset (mistake #3 – I didn’t read the online website terms, only read the note at the bottom of the form, and ever so briefly).
I have just received a fax with the 1st request for funds TODAY – 2 weeks after 1st invoice from Utrecht (if I delay there will only be slight penalties of 125 euros for administration) from a fax number in Dallas Texas.972-729-0000. – strangely enough the terms were actually enclosed witrh the invoice, but not attached with original application form.
After reading through the terms (albeit a bit late), I had a chocie to email this lady: julia@internationaldirectoriesgroup.com to advise we are not interested. T & C states, ” subscriber accepts these terms unless he/she sends a cancellation within a period of seven days after the date pf teh signing/stamping of the order note, after which teh contract will come into force.” Amusing that they only return the form after the alotted deadline has been sure to be passed.
Realizing some things didn’t ‘jive’ (why won’t they take my credit card for payment, only will receive wire transfer), I checked into this company, World Company Register and am now unfortunately reading this is/may be a scam.
I will be sending these documents off to my solictor today for his advice
Here I am too – one more victim of this scam. I was sure that this “free update” would never cause any problems. And I missed those small letters about the money and now I am receiving all those warnings and numerous emails and faxes from them, from Utrecht. Right now i have received one more mail from them that I will have to take from our main post office….
We are being hounded by these guys for a couple of years now. Yes, I too was tricked into filling out the form, signing it, and sending it to them. However, after two years of receiving junk mail (not emails, real paper) from them as well as from their “collectors” – Waldberg & Hirsch – so far nothing happened. Most amusing is also the fact that these collectors list a whole lotta contries on their stationary – but not Ukraine, where my business is. I feel very relaxed about this – they are never going to go beyond nagging. Don’t worry, be happy. They will soon run out of money for letters, envelopes and stamps, let alone printer toner.
Hi all,
I’m an owner of a small business Lithuania. Also receiving threatening letters (last reminder for now). Having found some more companies from Lithuania in http://www.worldcompanyregister, I contacted them for an advice. They said – a couple of months of threatening and an end. ce from them – they are aware of that, and I am waiting for a further response.
I have also reported this to the EU Consumer rights institutions and waiting for their response.
Is there anyone that have been sued already?
>Is there anyone that have been sued already?
Not that I know of, and I have spent quite some time researching the issue on the Internet. Nora, my hunch is that there will never ever be anyone sued by these scammers.
Dear Serghei, thanks for you response. Feel calmer now.
Funny, today I got the final reminder which says:
“I am writing on behalf of EU Business Services Ltd.”
Up to now, they wrote:
I am writing on behalf of International Directories Group Ltd.
Signed Ms. Ally
Laba diena,
Mes įkliuvome į siaubo spąstus, kokia dabar situacija pas jus?
Su pagarba,
Jevgenija
I notice their website (or its latest reincarnation) for the past 2 days has been down (www.worldcompanyregister.com)
Let’s hope the a** has fallen out of it for them, and some government agency is finally putting the blocks on this “company” for good.
The site http://www.worldcompanyregister.com is still online.
mxlab – maybe I am clicking something different as it comes up unable to find page on IE and Firefox for me?
Anyway I am hoping they are dead in the water. Any company that slimy deserves to be gone and nothing more.
Yes, they should go to hell immediately.Is there any authority to punish them? Where is the justice?
btw, in the last week they again intensified their emails and s-mails to us. I am getting letters from some “Ms. Andreea” who is informing me on behalf of the Euro-Directory that I probably owe them my life by now. How naive must one be?
We also recently sent a signed copy of their agreement and passing through the phase when their lawyers send a warning letter to pay all outstanding dues up to 1500 euros. It is good to read all these comments here. Now this Ms Christine is stressing the legally binding effect of the document we signed. after reading all these comments, i think the wise step would be not to pay any heed to them or their letters.
We are dealing with Ms. Julia. Keep it coming Julia – you are automatically sent to Spam
Dear All,
I am dealing with Ms Christine!!!! I would also suggest sending copies of the e-mails to the relevant authorities in your country as well as the EU. I have done this as organisations like this must be stopped. Do not pay them any monies they are complete con artists and this is a type of extortion which is illegal in most countries around the world!!
Paul
They’re still going strong. And now they have reached Norway, the oil & gas industry.
I received this today from noreplycaaof@registration20106.net:
“Business Guide Update 2010/2011
Ladies and Gentlemen.
In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses for 2010/2011 edition, please print, complete and submit the enclosed form (PDF file) to the following address:
WORLD COMPANY REGISTER
P.O. BOX 3079
3502 GB, UTRECHT
THE NETHERLANDS
email: register@wcr-online.com
FAX: +31 20 203 1129
Updating is free of charge!
If you are not the intended recipient, please submit an email to unsubscribe@wcr-online.com Your request shall be dealt with accordingly.”
If anyone has an emailaddress for the right authorities to report these kind of scams to, please let me know and I will forward the email I received from WCR to them.
I read all these previous comments, and I have to stress that our company in Croatia also is a vicitim of this fraud. We signed and sent the form to Utrech for World Company Register and now they are asking form us to pay 995 euros for the next 3 years. I did a reaseach on the Internet and found out it is the same company doing these kind of frauds for years.
We will definetly NOT pay a dime.
Somebody please help with any addtional info about this scam.
What is our legal right??
Pozdrav
Eto nažalost, nisam usamljen u prijevari.
Pozdrav
i ja sam se ” nasanjkala” – znači – bitno je da ne platimo? šizim zbog toga već mjesec dana!!!
Anyone please help.
Tnx.
Pingback: Directory scam: Registration of the World Company Register 2011/2012 « mxlab – all about anti virus and anti spam
Do not worry and nothing to pay
Firm you invoiced do not exist in any scam is one which is created by people from Romania Timisoara their IP 83.103.190.162
On the court they dont go because the police immediately sent to jail ( Blackmail, tax evasion, spam messages …)
see whether someone has got a signed and stamped invoice
This is a SCAM.they are mislead other organisation.you could notice that there is no contact phone number.
Well people, I am one of the “I didn’t read the small letters” too. I sent in August the information and first they sent a DVD (That I was scared to even put on one of my computers) and resent it to one of their address… I think in Spain. Later, about a week ago received the physical invoice that I filed in my cabinet, then, today I had receive a call from this lady saying that we have to pay it.
I was asking if any of you people know a blog, website, or anything like that where you can suscribe so one can change the scenario and star to look for these world business bla bla and take them out of the world.
Write please, thank you.
Thank you!
Recieved a letter from:
EU BUSINESS REGISTER
BOX 252 – 28020 Madrid
SPAIN
Looked exactly the same as World buisness directory.
Keep up the good work! Found this blog through google.
I just received one as well but from another source
see below:
from: Carol Denhard
Ladies and Gentlemen.
In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses
for 2011/2012 edition, please print, complete and submit the enclosed
form (PDF file) to the following address:
WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE
P.O. BOX 3079
3502 GB, UTRECHT
THE NETHERLANDS
email: register@wbg2011now.com
FAX: +31 (20) 203-1129
Updating is free of charge!
If you are not the intended recipient, please submit an email to
unsubscribe@wbg2011now.com
Your request shall be dealt with accordingly.
Message ID: Uvoneqso
Pingback: more on the “EU Business Register” | quatsch
“Phony directories or yellow page scams usually target small to medium sized businesses. The scam manifests itself in the form of solicitors calling businesses and seeking to verify the company’s name and physical location, and allegedly calling to “renew” or “re-enroll” an existent yellow pages listing or advertisement. Many companies or their employees are misled into accepting the alleged “renewals.” The illegitimate directory provider immediately sends an invoice for this service, usually in the amount of hundreds of dollars, and threatens businesses with collections or credit report damage should they dispute the charges or decline to pay.
Harassing calls, threats and use of obscene language can pressurize you to the edge and moreover, a collector may embarrass you by contacting your employer or even be pursued to disburse for a debt that is not rightfully yours.
There are limits on how far telemarketers can go, that is why we provide information on how to put an end to telemarketer calls and more efficiently, how to correspond with them about your account and/or to dispute a collection action and can teach you what are your rights in terms of privacy.”
I agree with this..
Also popped up here in DK in the medical industry now
Our company is called Global Business Register Limited. We are legally registered in Ireland and our business involves the selling and distribution of official company information that is sourced from the national company registers oround Europe. We are an official distributor for the EBR (European Business Register). EBR is an official EU organisation involved in the integration of business registers across Europe. (http://www.ebr.org)
We would wish to advise your readers that our company should not be confused with either World Company Register or World Business Directory. We have no association whatsoever with either and wish to clearly state that we do not condone in any way the activities of these organisations.
It is free to use our service to search for company information and should you wish to order an official document on a company there is a small fee associated with that. We do not offer to include any company in a directory and charge fee for it.
If anyone would like further information I would be very happy to help them with their query.
Hi:
First of all, thanks for this post. I just received an email containing the same language whatsoever. The sender’s email is register@wbg2011today.com and the address mentioned is the following:
WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE
P.O. BOX 3079
3502 GB, UTRECHT
THE NETHERLANDS
I did not open up the attached pdf. Just Googled the address and landed here so just trying to update people. Thanks again.
We also received same email this morning so it appears that the company is still going strong.
Did not open also googled site and landed here Thanks for the warning.
email was headed :
From: “Sophie Grand”
Subject: Company Update 2011-2012
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:57:34 +1100
Ladies and Gentlemen.
In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses
for 2011/2012 edition, please print, complete and submit the attached
form (PDF file) to the following address:
Europe Business Guide
P.O. BOX 2021
3500 GA, UTRECHT
THE NETHERLANDS
email: register@ebg-2011.com
fax: +31 (20) 524-8107
Updating is free of charge!
If you are not the intended recipient, please submit an email to
unsubscribe@ebg-2011.com
Your request shall be dealt with accordingly.
Message ID: Zxenu
Hi, received an email from these guys today. Was immediately suspicious and want to thank this site and all the commentors. I sent the mail to junk and blocked the sender. It’s hard enough in business these days without tossers like this lot trying to cheat us of such large sums of our hard-earned money. Good luck to those caught by the scam and I hope you don’t end up out of pocket.
Like the comments above have already described, simply block or ignore any emails they send you. Once they know you are receiving and even replying to their harrassments then they will continue to harrass you! Same for phone calls: hang up, say that you don’t know the person, etc. They’ll give up soon enough.
“simply block or ignore any emails they send you. Once they know you are receiving and even replying to their harrassments then they will continue to harrass you! ”
Eric, not necessary so. Since I found out some time ago that their possible main operating hub is located in Romania, Timisoara – I started replying by practicing all my knowledge of romanian swear words, argot, etc. Basically advising some person who was sending under the name of Andreea go get a life, but in a linguistic style that would make even myself blush. Result: after a few more standard emails I STOPPED receiving anything from them. Not that I advise for this kind of behaviour or endorse it. However…
We are the new victim.
After checked on the internet and found they exist for many years, why can’t we stop them? Why can’t the police find them and jail them??
We worry there will be more innocent victims…….
Dear All,
We must all harass them by sending email to fuck these ass holes, report to European union high commission and countries they send details from or operating from cause they operate form different parts of the world.. we all come together and spend time re-searching their details and inform among all ourself…
they are placed everywhere in different names but we can fuck them, by all means…
http://blog.mxlab.eu/2010/03/09/registration-of-the-world-business-directory-20102011/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55011156703
http://stopecg.org/world_business_guide.htm
we need to report to police, legal authoritative, fraud departments, trade commission, social sites, free blogs, word of mouth every where we all can…
keep calling these bastered on the contact details they gave us and fuck their happiness…
we can do that as they are using internet calling to bother us… similarly…
lets fight back and spoil their happiness now..
now matter they change the place or name or ip addresses —
we coming together can do it very simply…
YES WHAT I DID IS I ASK ASKED THEIR BANKING DETAILS — LIKE THIS
Company Name & address
Bank A/C No.
Bank Address
Swift Code
IBAN:
Amount EUR 995
AND AFTER I GOT THEIR BANK DETAILS I HAVE SENT EMAIL TO BANK TO CLOSED THEIR ACCOUNT AND THEY DID AS I SAID I WILL REPORT TO CENTRAL BANK TO THAT PARTICULAR COUNTRY AS THEY ARE INVOLVED…
SO START CUTTING THEIR LEGS LIKE THIS…
THIS NEWS IS TO BE SPREAD LIKE FIRE EVERYWHERE SO NO POOR TO BECOME VICTIM,,
THERE IS A COMPANY WHO HELPED ME KNOW IN & OUT IS – http://www.peoplealliancecorp.com
THEY HANDLE SUCH FRAUDS GLOBALLY..TRUST WORTHY AS WELL —
ALL THE BEST
WE MUST KICK BACK THESE LEGAL ROBBERS BY COMING TOGETHER NOW NEW COMPANY TO BE FORMED LIKE THIS…
BEST WISHES FOR ALL OF US — EXCEPTS THESE LOOTERS – NO PEACE BE UPON THEM
This scam came all the way to Turkey. The email was sent from the Netherlands, and unfortunately, I was given a bad copy of the form so no small prints could be read, so I had my boss sign it..and after the cancellation period passed, they sent us the first invoice. I called them and talked to a Ms. Rossana (so-called account manager) and she said we have to pay as we consented to the terms of the contract blah blah..we ignored the invoice and instead wrote an official letter that we want to cancel our order. We had 2 email messages saying we have to pay for late fees and administrative fees…now we are threatened to send us an official reminder for the payment…I checked google to find out that I am not the only one..too bad though..
We are not planning to pay..
any more advice on what we can do??
Dear WBD Victims,
We all are simply confronted with international swindle, which are really illegal, fraudulent and punishable. But we need to confess – it is very nice organized.
In any case – take it easy, do not worry, and have a look here just for information:
http://www.mukaumedia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/SarahLudfordMEP.pdf
Conclusion:
1. Do not arrange any payments.
2. DEFINITELY!!! inform local authorities, especially attended in financial crimes investigation.
Alex,
Vilnius, LITHUANIA
You should NOT pay them.
We have proof that their website http://www.europebusinessguide.com/ was BLACKLISTED with Avast internet Security.
I posted a screen-shot in the Facebook group for Europe Business Guide SCAM. Check it out there.
There are thousands of posts on the internet against them, they don’t stand a chance in court!!!
I have also had experience with this company, and once I received the invoice for nearly $1000 Euro, I did a google search and found all the poor feedback on their business dealings, and advice on how to handle.
They then start sending e-mails threatening legal action, which I ignored.
The best way in handling these e-mails is to simply ignore, and they eventually go away. It does take a while, but they get the hint after a couple of months.
Do not write back, do not ring and do not e-mail. They will go away and I guess look for more victims.
The funny thing is that for the year 2010 – 2011 they have invited me to subscribe again !!
They will not take legal action – they just keep threatening.
They started writing me a year and a half ago with their invoice – I have not heard from them for over a year.
Do Not Pay – Do Not Stresss
Do not write – Do not ring
Just ignore Them TOTALLY!!
as if they don’t exist…and never did
They will not take legal action – they just keep threatening.
They started writing me a year and a half ago with their invoice – I have not heard from them for over a year.
Do Not Pay – Do Not Stresss
Do not write – Do not ring
Just ignore Them TOTALLY!!
as if they don’t exist…and never did
Dear All,
I agree that we should do common actions towards them.
can anybody advise e-mails and address where to report on them.
we coud ldo it organised.
it is important to know correct departments.
thanks to advise
Elena
You can visit my new site
http://scaminvestigations.wordpress.com
Currently targeting ‘World Company Directory’ but will be including
World Business Directory
World Business Guide / World Company Register
Expo Guide
European Business Guide
and others
EVERYONE ;
THEY ATTEMPTED TO SCAM ME AS WELL. THE WORDING IN THEIR CONTRACT VIOLATES CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS HERE IN THE USA.
THEY ARE SENDING ME COLLECTION NOTICES AS WELL. JUST IGNORE THEM! THEY WILL GO AWAY. I DOUBT YOU WILL EVER FIND YOURSELF IN A LOCAL COURT WITH A JUDGE SIDING WITH THEIR MALICIOUS MARKETING PRACTICES.
I PLACE THEIR EMAILS INTO MY BLOCKED SENDER BOX AND I THROW THEIR COLLECTION LETTERS IN THE TRASH AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE.
DO NOTHING AND GO ON AND ENJOY LIFE.
Scammers got all the way to sunny South Africa. Can’t believe my company was almost scammed with 995EU + all the admin fees on top of that PLUS legal fees!
Bless Google!!
I had a bit of fun with this crowd. When I received their misleading “Order Form”, I read through it, and discovered the hidden 995 euro annual charge.
So I used a pdf editor and changed the small print, so say that if I agreed to them using my details in their Guide, they would pay *me* 995 euros per year…
Then I printed and sent off the form, duly signed.
In due course, I received an invoice for the first payment. Since they clearly hadn’t read the document carefully, I decided not to immediately tip my hand. Instead I emailed them back as follows:
“Dear Ms Denisse,
Please could you explain the situation to me – there seems to be some confusion over what was free of charge, who pays who, etc.
Regards,
M G
P.S. It seems your enquiries phone number is some sort of Premium Rate number. While I am sure everyone would agree this is both profitable and unethical, is it in fact legal?”
They, predicatbly, wrote back and demanded payment, so I wrote again, for clarification:
“Dear Ms Denisse,
Could you please confirm on behalf of your company that my signing the order, is considered binding on both yourselves and my company?
Secondly, do I understand correctly that your company maintains that even if either party fails to read the small print, or think it was intended to deceive, they are still bound by all the terms???
I don’t mean to be difficult, but I am sure you understand the feeling that you have somehow been cheated!
Regards,
MG”
And finally, after another rather confused reply from them:
“Dear MsDenisse,
Before any money changes hands, I just want simple confirmation that the contract that I signed is binding on both parties, regardless of whether the small print was read or not! A simple yes or no will suffice. If yes, the first payment should be made no later than Friday 23rd October.
Regards,
MG.”
As you can see, I had fun building in the ambiguity…
Shortly afterwards, I had a phone call from “Denisse”, who told me she had the signed contract in front of her. She REALLY didn’t know what to say when I made her read it to me, slowly and carefully, and it dawned on her what it really said. She put the phone down on me, and I then received another email from someone else, threatening me with dire consequenced for fraud etc. etc. (But still demanding payment).
It was fun while it lasted, but of course it all just got put in their system, and I still receive annual demands from their shyster collection agency.
Of course I never had any intention of binding them to their payments (I *was* intending to deceive them), but I am amused that they are trying to demand payment despite the “contract” reading the wrong way!
This is great reading.
This is Denisse e mail : To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2011 17:20:00 +0300
Dear Mr ………………,
I appreciate your phone call and note that I do not croos you nor your client nor anyone. It was your client that ordered our services if you shall remember?
As requested, (altough I knwo that your cleint has receive from us 4 letters and at least one of them has Invoice with bank details you requested), please note the full bank details:
Bank name: Raiffeisen Bulgaria AD, Sofia
Bank address: Gogol 18/20, Sofia 1504, Bulgaria
Beneficiary name: EU Business Services Ltd
Also, note that you have my writen email confirmation that we declare not to renew nor request any other fee but the EUR 990,- to your client for we shall terminate contract asap swift confirmation of your payment is received.
I shall personally send the documentation to the authorities in charge for termination of contract and your client will receive copy of document by post or email/fax at their request.
Regards,
Denisse
———————-
I am the attorney of my client, so in that situation I get thei IP number of Scammer which is 84.247.34.241 ( Romania) and I have report the Scamming fraud to the Raiffeisen Bank of Sofia. When I called the Sofia Help Desk of Raiffeisen Bank a not very intelligent secretary told me ..oh really .. oh ..oh .. So I asked her to restrict and block their current account IBAN BG05 RZBB 9155 1000 6372 38 SWIFT CODE RZBBBGSF Acc. 1000 6372 38. I provide to her all the informations, IP number, Bank details, e -mail , but she seems to me very slaw and imprepared. This is the reason of scamming and fraud. The unprepared employees agree to open bank accounts to criminals who presented Company documents certainly false. However the only way to prevent scamming is to contact the bank. If you don’t have the Bank address it’s easy to find : simply copy and past the IBAN on the invoices on Google.com and you will get the address and name.
To avoid such spams or fraud we should always be careful. Having a company that can do business registration services to do such things is very helpful. Not only that it can make the registration more easily especially for foreigners but it can also be a security for you.
We too have received requirements to pay money these swindlers on invisible contract which to us have sent as spam (we it have signed, being misled by its form).We receive by e-mail this information about them:
“Bank name: Raiffeisen Bulgaria AD, Sofia
Bank address: Gogol 18/20, Sofia 1504, Bulgaria
Beneficiary name: WORLD BUSINESS MEDIA LTD
Beneficiary address: P.O. Box 2021, 3500, GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
IBAN: BG05RZBB91551000637238
SWIFT: RZBBBGSF
Account number: 1000637238
Ms Denisse Toudzec
EU Business Services Ltd
Tel: 0031 208 080 789
Fax: 0031 205 248 107
denisse@eubs-ebg.net “
We will any paying!
More thanks to all for the information about this scam! Best regards!
Sorry, mistake (I have bad english): we will not paying for them!!!
Hi there,
we were misled as well. How can they have so many victims? As we started to stress about these terrible payments I went on google and find all these comments from good people. Lucky enough, decided to NOT PAY!
Thanks for all recommendations, here is an email:
From: christine@eubusinessservices.com
E-mail: FAO – The Accounting Department
Dear Sirs,
I am writing regarding your financial obligations to our company – the payment of the invoice no. 95783, issued for the first year of insertion into World Trade Register you have ordered on behalf of …………………………(our company)
The due date of this invoice was yesterday, the 15th of August, 2011.
Postponing the payment will only bring late payment (EUR 99,-) and administration (EUR 35,-) fees added to the actual amount of EUR 995,-.
Be kind and send us attached by e-mail or by fax the proof of payment as soon as the invoice is paid.
IBAN: BG05 RZBB 9155 1000 6372 38 (BG means they are from Bulgaria)
SWIFT: RZBBBGSF
A/c#: 1000 6372 38
Best Regards
Ms Christine
Account Manager
Tel: 0031 208 080 789
Fax:0031 205 248 107
Do you think we should do something or ignore it?
PLEASE REPLY!!!
Do not worry: I was misled two year ago. They keep sending reminders and threats, but nothing happens! Nothing can happen as no court in the world would rule in their favor. They are living from threads and from the small fraction of people giving in and paying them. Help stopping this scam: Do not pay! They will keep sending threads and reminders, and simply ignore them.
I am having some fun with these guys. Each time I get a reminder to pay, I contact the bank informing them that they are hosting an account from a pure fraud company. I guess a few people out there are doing it. And I have always a smile in my face when I notice from the reminders they are sending to me that they had to change the bank account again!
Thank you so much for this website! I just filled in the form and was ready to get my boss to sign when I thought that I would do a quick search on the net. Luckily I found this site so I quickly tore it up and threw it in the bin! I cant than you enough!
join http://www.facebook.com/groups/291170890894193/ to oppose or ignore them united.
Hi all,
I was a victim of such crooks couple of years back. Those days they used to send mail from Switzerland. I ignored them whenever they sent threatening letters, but it was a nightmare, because they threatened they would blacklist our company in Europe, and no one would do business with us later, if we don’t pay them. They even had some collectors call us and ask for payment. At last I threatened to sue them and got a lawyer. Then the kept quite. Now after a couple of years, getting this email brought the bitter memories back again. I am in US now and this company is targeting us in the US. If I receive another email, I shall contact Federal Trade Commission and complain against them.
I am so thankful for the people who have set us this website, as now these evil people cannot hide like before.
Below is the email that I received just today:
=====================================================
From: Adeline – World Trade Register [mailto:info@eubizwtr.com]
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2011 4:36 PM
To: xxxx@xxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Business Registration 2011/2012
Dear Madam/Sir,
In order to have your company inserted in the World Trade Register’s 2011/2012 edition, please print, complete and return the enclosed form to the following address:
World Trade Register
P.O. Box 3079
3502 GB Utrecht
The Netherlands
Updating is free of charge!
To unsubscribe, please send an email to unsubscribe@worldtrade-register.net
Fax: +31 205 248 107
===========================================================
I think the best way to teach these guys a lesson, is to let them think we have fallen to their scam, let them spend time and resources to send reminders, and we should tell them we are going to pay soon. Just keep them hungry and then never pay them. Exactly the same way, world got rid of Nigerian scams couple of years back!
Slake, I actually enjoy receiving messages and reminders from them. Along the line of what you said about keeping them busy, I usually write them back with a request to revise the invoice they sent, aksing them to increase the amount tenfold (from 999 eur to 9,999.00) because I feel they are doing a very imortant job, etc., blah-blah. I am surprised, but they never did revise the invoice…
After my letters they usually shut up for a couple of months.
I received one today. Same story..
Ladies and Gentlemen.
>
> In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses for 2012/2013 edition, please print, complete and submit the attached form (PDF file) to the following address:
>
> European Trade Register
> P.O. BOX 3079
> 3502 GB, Utrecht
> The Netherlands
>
> email: register@etr2012now.net
> fax: +31 (20) 524-8107
>
> Updating is free of charge!
>
> If you are not the intended recipient, please submit an email to remove@etr2012now.net Your request shall be dealt with accordingly.
>
> MessageID: Rlmoqycig
>
>
They are now coming from European Trade Register now. Exact same format. Thanks for this web site. Its fantastic. Great work.
Here is the whois.com data on one of the domains in the e-mail I received:
The data in this whois database is provided to you for information
purposes only, that is, to assist you in obtaining information about or
related to a domain name registration record. We make this information
available “as is,” and do not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a
whois query, you agree that you will use this data only for lawful
purposes and that, under no circumstances will you use this data to: (1)
enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that stress or load
this whois database system providing you this information; or (2) allow,
enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited,
commercial advertising or solicitations via direct mail, electronic
mail, or by telephone. The compilation, repackaging, dissemination or
other use of this data is expressly prohibited without prior written
consent from us. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by these terms.
Registration Service Provided By: Bizcn.com
Website: http://www.bizcn.com
Whois Server: whois.bizcn.com
Domain name: etr2012.com
Registrant Contact:
wang cheng
cheng wang
02362542126 fax: 02362542126
suzhoushichangjiangbeilu3hao
suzhou jiangsu 032541
cn
Administrative Contact:
cheng wang
02362542126 fax: 02362542126
suzhoushichangjiangbeilu3hao
suzhou jiangsu 032541
cn
Technical Contact:
cheng wang
02362542126 fax: 02362542126
suzhoushichangjiangbeilu3hao
suzhou jiangsu 032541
cn
Billing Contact:
cheng wang
02362542126 fax: 02362542126
suzhoushichangjiangbeilu3hao
suzhou jiangsu 032541
cn
DNS:
ns1.thehostguide.net
ns2.thehostguide.net
Created: 2011-10-07
I just got an email saying:
—–Original Message—–
From: Sophie Grand [mailto:email5@etrmail1.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 4:18 AM
To: schwellingg@comcast.net
Subject: Business Update 2012
Ladies and Gentlemen.
In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses for 2012/2013 edition, please print, complete and submit the attached form (PDF file) to the following address:
European Trade Register
P.O. BOX 3079
3502 GB, Utrecht
The Netherlands
email: register@etr2012now.net
fax: +31 (20) 524-8107
Updating is free of charge!
If you are not the intended recipient, please submit an email to remove@etr2012now.net Your request shall be dealt with accordingly.
MessageID: Soogupvqy
When I saw it was a scam, I got back to them and said cancel it. Fortunately I did not sign it.