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How Prime Bank Frauds Work?
and Helpful Links!
by sec.gov 2006
PUBLIC WARNINGS!
Warning to All Investors About
Bogus “Prime Bank” and Other
Banking-Related Investment Schemes
Lured by the promise of astronomical profits and the chance to be part of an exclusive, international investing program, investors are
once again falling prey to bogus "prime bank" scams. These fraudulent schemes involve the purported issuance, trading, or use of so-called
"prime" bank, "prime" European bank or "prime" world bank financial instruments, or other "high yield investment programs" ("HYIP"s).
The fraud artists who promote these schemes often use the word "prime" – or a synonymous phrase, such as "top fifty world banks" – to
cloak their programs with an air of legitimacy. They seek to mislead investors by suggesting that well regarded and financially sound
institutions participate in these bogus programs. But prime bank and other related schemes have no connection whatsoever to the world's
leading financial institutions or to banks with the word "prime" in their names. The Securities and Exchange Commission and other federal
and state agencies are continuing to warn investors about these scams.
Prime bank programs often claim investors' funds will be used to purchase and trade "prime bank" financial instruments on clandestine
overseas markets in order to generate huge returns in which the investor will share. However, neither these instruments, nor the markets
on which they allegedly trade, exist. To give the scheme an air of legitimacy, the promoters distribute documents that appear complex,
sophisticated and official. The sellers frequently tell potential investors that they have special access to programs that otherwise would
be reserved for top financiers on Wall Street, or in London, Geneva or other world financial centers. Investors are also told that profits
of 100% or more are possible with little risk.
Individuals and entities are targeted, including municipalities, charitable associations and other non-profit organizations. The promoters
of these schemes have demonstrated remarkable audacity, advertising in national newspapers, such as USA Today and the Wall Street Journal.
Some promoters of these schemes avoid using the term "Prime Bank note," and tell prospective investors that their programs do not involve
prime bank instruments in an effort to demonstrate that their programs are not fraudulent. Regardless of the terminology, the basic pitch -
that the program involves trading in international financial instruments - remains the same, and investors should continue to be vigilant against such fraud.
Signs of Banking-Related Investment Fraud.
Below are warning signs of prime bank or other fraudulent bank-related investment schemes.
Excessive Guaranteed Returns
These fraudulent investment pitches typically offer or guarantee spectacular returns of 20 to 200 percent monthly, absolutely risk free.
Promises of unrealistic returns at no risk are hallmarks of prime bank fraud.
Fictitious Financial Instrument
Despite having credible-sounding names, the supposed "financial instruments" at the heart of any prime bank scheme simply do not exist.
Exercise caution if you've been asked to invest in a debt obligation of the top 100 world banks, Medium Term Bank Notes or Debentures,
Standby Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, an offshore trading program, a roll program, bank-issued debentures, a high yield investment
program, or some variation on these descriptions. Promoters frequently claim that the offered financial instrument is issued, traded,
guaranteed, or endorsed by the World Bank (Department of Institutional Integrity (INT) or
Operations Evaluation Department ,
International Monetary Fund (IMF),
Federal Reserve,
Department of Treasury, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),
or an international central bank.
Extreme Secrecy
Promoters claim that transactions must be kept strictly confidential by all parties, making client references unavailable. They may
characterize the transactions as the best-kept secret in the banking industry, and assert that, if asked, bank and regulatory officials
would deny knowledge of such instruments. Investors may be asked to sign nondisclosure agreements.
Exclusive Opportunity
Promoters frequently claim that investment opportunities of this type are by invitation only, available to only a handful of special
customers, and historically reserved for the wealthy elite.
Claims of Inordinate Complexity
Investment pitches frequently are vague about who is involved in the transaction or where the money is going. Promoters may try to explain
away this lack of specificity by stating that the financial instruments are too technical or complex for nonexperts to understand.
You should be especially watchful for prime-bank related schemes promoted over the Internet. Despite numerous
SEC actions charging
prime bank promoters with multiple violations of the federal securities laws, prime bank offerings continue to proliferate in cyberspace.
If you have any information regarding the offer or sale of "prime bank" or similar financial instruments, or programs employing these instruments,
please provide that information to the SEC's Division of Enforcement immediately by using the
Enforcement Complaint Center. You also may
want to visit other helpful websites to learn more about prime bank-related fraud.
Links:
Helpful Websites
- The London (UK) Metropolitan Police Fraud Squad's Fraud Alert
- Testimony concerning the FED's actions addressing illegal Prime Bank Schemes
- The FED's Investment Scheme Advisory Alert
- An alert statement issued by the OCC concerning Prime Bank Fraud
- FBI's Common Fraud Scams Alert
- Description of Prime Bank Scams, from the Connecticut Department of Banking, Securities and Business Investments Division
- Description of Prime Bank Scams, from PricewaterhouseCoopers
- The SEC's warning that "Limited Edition" United States Treasury securities do not exist
- The NASDR's alert concerning Prime Bank Fraud
* Further Information "How to Kill Fake Bank?": aa419.org
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