Abuse of Trust
As an international company, Parisma has been targeted by fraudsters and various scams over the years. Parisma has provided this information as a guide to some of the points which you should consider before making any serious investment or purchasing decision - especially if you intend to become involved with an individual or organisation of whom you have little knowledge.
The points made here are not intended to be a comprehensive list. If in any doubt advice should always be sought from a specialist
Fraudsters: Advance fee fraud is an international phenomenon: there are advance fee fraudsters operating in many countries. Much advance fee fraud seems to be concentrated in a number of countries in West Africa, especially Nigeria. However, the criminal gangs who are involved in this fraud can have international connections. A person might receive an email from a scammer in an internet café in Nigeria, and might then be transferred on to another scammer working in Holland or Spain.
When you read an advance fee fraud email, you may find it difficult to believe that people are actually taken in by them. The English is often poor, the spelling atrocious, and the stories wildly unbelievable. But people are taken in by them, regularly. Advance fee fraud is big business, and the people who carry it out are criminals.
Note also that nothing in this website is intended as a slur on any particular country, nationality or race. Advance fee fraud goes on in many countries; it just so happens that most of the scams in this website originate in West Africa. This website is intended to poke fun at the individual scammers, not their countries, nationalities or races. Advance fee fraudsters are a disgrace to their own countries, and have done much to harm the international reputation of many countries overseas.
Unusually high returns: Beware of "get rich quick schemes" which offer unusually high rates of profit when compared with, say, the returns available from Building Societies. Generous offers may be just a means of arousing your interest in a dubious scheme.
Cold Calling/Advance payment: Generally, cold-calling for investment business is prohibited by law, so be wary of apparently generous offers which arrive "out of the blue". Beware of paying fees for services before they are delivered.
Cash Transactions: Be wary of individuals who insist on dealing in cash. The use of cash is often an indication that proper accounting records are not being kept. Be particularly careful about paying cash in advance.
Spread the risk: Do not put all your eggs in one basket - for example, never commit all your life savings to a single investment scheme.
Take your time: Never make any major financial decision or sign ANYTHING on the spot. Always take your time to consider what you are doing. NEVER sign any form in blank, nor sign any form leaving any information to be completed by a third party such as a salesperson or representative.
Overseas Organisations: Be particularly cautious about investing in any organisation based abroad as, in the event of difficulty, it will probably be beyond the jurisdiction of the British Courts.
Get Independent Advice: Investment businesses are required to be authorised by the Financial Services Authority. Authorisation means that an organisation is "fit and proper" to carry out investment business. As a rule, do not get involved with an unregulated organization.
Haiti Scams: Criminal gangs have been cashing in on the Haiti earthquake by seeking funds for bogus charities via millions of spam e-mails. Parisma has been targeted by one such company, who claim to be a charity ADPA, which is a bogus NGO in Benin. Protect yourself from scams: Don't let the scammers con you. Follow these tips to avoid getting tricked out of your money. Be sceptical: First and foremost, remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don't be afraid to bin it, delete it or hang up. Take your time: Resist pressure to make a decision right away. Consider asking a friend or family member for advice, or even an accountant or solicitor if big sums of money are involved. Read the small print and be sure you understand all the terms and conditions of an offer. Know who you're dealing with: Check that the firm or organisation you want to deal with is legitimate and reputable:
• Ask for full contact details, including a street address. A company website should provide the full street address for the business, not just a Post Office or mail box number.
• Contact them using details from their official website or documents. Be wary of buying from anyone who only gives an email address or mobile phone number.
• Put the firm's name into an internet search engine to see what you can find out. • Look them up on the Companies House website and check they are a registered company.
• If you've received a letter or other mailing, check whether it's come from a member of the Direct Mailing Association.
• If you're being offered financial services, find out if they're registered with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) using the FSA Register.
• Action due diligence checks through the appropriate Embassy or Consulate.
• Don't be fooled by professional-looking websites and marketing materials. Scammers are good at making their scams look authentic. Protect your financial information: Never give your bank account details to someone you don't know. Protect yourself online: Follow basic advice for safe online shopping and banking. Read guidance from get Save Online and guidance from Bank Safe Online. In particular, never email anyone your financial information - even if you do know them. Use a credit card: Pay by credit card if you can. Under the Consumer Credit Act, you should be entitled to a refund from your card issuer of money lost through fraudulent activity - if the cash price of a single item is over £100.
E-mail: info@parisma-exports.com
