MX Lab, http://www.mxlab.eu, reported in the past regarding a business directory scams (Directory scam: Business Registration 2012, Directory scam: Euro Trade Register Update 2012, Directory scam: registration for the World Trade Register’s 2012/2013, Directory scam: Registration of the World Company Register 2011/2012) that offers a free update of the company details in the directory. However, the document is constructed in such a way that companies/people are signing the document and thereby undersign a a three-year contract with a yearly renewal price. The practice can be described as at least deceitful and continues to make new victims.
MX Lab intercepted a variant of this directory scam coming from the email address “EU Business Register <register@ebrbusinessreg.eu>”, the subject “EU Business Register 2013/2014″ and the following short body:
Dear Madam/Sir,
In order to have your company inserted in the EU Business Register for 2013/2014, please print, complete and submit the attached form (PDF file) to the following address:
EU BUSINESS REGISTER
P.O.BOX 3079
3502 GB UTRECHT
THE NETHERLANDSFax: +31 205 248 107
Updating is free of charge.
Attached to the email is the file EBR.pdf. I think that everyone will agree that when filling in a form such as this, we all sign the document. Note that, according to this company, you only need to fill in your details and send the form to get an update of your details (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.
Be aware that by signing this document your request becomes an insertion and you are entitled to pay the sum of € 995 for 3 years! The small letters all the way down (2):
THE INSERTION IS GRANTED AFTER SIGNING AND RECEIVING THIS DOCUMENT BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER. I HEREBY ORDER A SUBSCRIPTION WITH THE SERVICE PROVIDER EU BUSINESS SERVICES LTD. “EU BUSINESS REGISTER”. I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATABASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO 995.
The domain name ebrbusinessreg.eu, that is being used in the from email address, has been registered since 13 March 2014 to a person in Romania.
When visiting this domain in a browser we have the web site of the World Trade Register.
When you click on one of the categories on this site or perform a search, you are redirected to the site http://www.worldtraderegister.net/. So the above site is not really operational and is just a click through.
Our recommendation is: do not sign the document or even better, do not do any 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:
Info at Spamhaus
