Firstly a thank you - I've been researching using the site and this thread amongst others has been very helpful. In the hope this may help a few more people I've just joined t2w and I will list what I've been doing over the last 24 hrs.
A good friend told me yesterday how his investments were doing. He told me of some stock he'd bought, gave me a few details and said I should check it out. I did, but I didn't like the feel of it so started digging.
It transpired he had been cold called. They had a web site in Switzerland and a nice man offering him a great deal.
The stock was in a company called Ventana Biotech - VNTA.PK, there's plenty of stuff on the web about them and they have been heavily touted in recent months re new products, takeovers, key personel getting on board etc. Sounds good.
The shares are pinks which is what made me think twice as I know they carry restrictions.
Turning to the Broker, website didn't look great - Global Advisory Partners. Checked the address in Google Earth, looked like a back street in the red light district. Reverse checked the IP address, owner registered in the NL (yeah right) but hidden and the web host is in Singapore. Site registered in July this year. Server hosts 3 other "firms", all claiming to be Swiss based, all the addresses are either above restaurants or shops and look like mail drops. Street view on Google Earth is a wonderful tool if you want to check something out.
The other companies were Swiss Key Equity, Equity Research Partners & SFR-Invest. Swiss Key popped up as a scam via Google and is just on the FSA warning list, a version of Global appears there also, but it's Group not Partners.
One nice touch, if you copy and paste the blurb from their websites much has been wholesale pinched from Killick and Co or a legit US company in the case of Swiss Key.
None of the companies seem to be regulated in Switzerland and the only financial info I can find on them shows a very small operating capital, literally enough to open a PO Box.
I've dug up a few names, phone numbers, banks etc that may be unwittingly linked to these boys.
My suspicion was they were operating from Spain but one of their email headers throws back to Anglesey of all places so if anyone can fill this gap in I'd appreciate it.
I'm unclear as yet as to whether he will get share certificates in what looks a genuine business, however if he does I suspect by the time they can be sold the price will be zilch. It is possible he will get nothing from the broker and they have taken his money straight off. Luckily (!!) he hasn't invested much so it wasn't hard to break the news to him. I know they will try for more now and he'll probably get a call trying to buy his shares further down the line but at least he's ready for it.
If you are approached by any of these Swiss brokers (or any other cold caller full stop), don't even be tempted for one second. If you've already had dealings, I'm sorry to bring bad news but I believe you have done your money and you should provide the FSA and Op Archway with whatever details you can asap. I'm happy to assist with other details I've dug up should anyone on here need it.
My friend is a savvy bloke and careful with his cash (normally), if they can pull him in then they must be making zillions.
Hope this isn't too long, sorry! Once again thank you to the posters on here for the clues which helped me throw this together.