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Saturday 14 February 2015

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) warns against "HKIC Group"


HKIC Group – home page  

False claims: Regulated by: Hong Kong Monetary Authority 
Monetary Authority of Singapore

Press release from The Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued on 4th February 2015:  

'Suspected fraudulent website: http://www.hkicgroup.com

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a suspected fraudulent website with the domain name "http://www.hkicgroup.com".  The website is operated by an alleged "HKIC Group", which claims that it is regulated by the HKMA.

The public should be aware that the alleged "HKIC Group" is not authorized under the Banking Ordinance to carry on banking business or the business of taking deposits in Hong Kong, nor does it have the approval to establish a local representative office.

The HKMA has referred the case to the Hong Kong Police Force for further investigation.  Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact any local Police Station or the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Given the global nature of the Internet, members of the public are reminded to verify the status of any organisation making use of the Internet to solicit deposits from the public.  A list of authorized institutions is available on the HKMA's website (www.hkma.gov.hk).  Members of the public may also check the status of any entity in Hong Kong which solicits deposits from the public with the HKMA by calling its public enquiry hotline 2878 8222.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
4 February 2015'

The HKIC Group also claims to be regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This claim would appear to be as false as the Hong Kong claim since a search on the MASNET website produces no result for HKIC.

A director of a wine investment company told me recently that the HKIC Group 'approached a client of ours offering to buy a case of Lafite ‘98 and a case of ‘02 for the princely (and sadly unbelievable – in the literal sense) sum of £18,500.  Very nice too!'

A quick check on wine-searcher shows that Albany Vintners currently have the 2002 Lafite-Rothschild listed at £4650 a case, while Cavex – Fine Wine Trading had the 2002 at £4500 on 15th January 2015.  

 Contact information: serviced/virtual offices

 Our services at 31/F Chinachem Century Tower

 Serviced and virtual offices@ 32 London Road, Guildford 

Copyright on website supposed to be 2007
but website registered on 6th January 2015 

 
I will certainly follow the advice of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and avoid the HKIC Group.  

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