On , the Financial Conduct Authority issued a warning regarding Gulf Merchant Bank (Cloning details of a FCA authorised firm) (clone of FCA authorised firm)
The FCA went on to note that
Almost all firms and individuals carrying out financial services activities in the UK have to be authorised or registered by us. This firm is not authorised or registered by us but has been targeting people in the UK, claiming to be an authorised firm.
This is what we call a 'clone firm'; and fraudsters usually use this tactic when contacting people out of the blue, so you should be especially wary if you have been cold called. They may use the name of the genuine firm, the 'firm reference number' (FRN) we have given the authorised firm or other details.
You can find out more about this scam tactic and how to protect yourself from clone firms.
Clone firm details
Fraudsters are using or giving out the following details as part of their tactics to scam people in the UK:
Gulf Merchant Bank (Cloning details of a FCA authorised firm) (clone of FCA authorised firm)
Telephone: 07 02 407 7980, 07 00 594 7625, 08 70 490 9879, 08 71 251 8458
Email: customerservicegulfmerchlltd@accountant.com,
customerservice@gulfmerchlltd.com
Website: www.gulfmerchlltd.com/customers.htm
Other Information: The following FCA authorised firm has no association whatsoever with the organisation discussed above identifying itself as Gulf Merchant Bank: %E2%80%A2Gulf Merchant Group LLP (FCA authorisation: 208628) 35 Old Queen Street; London SW1H 9JD
Be aware that scammers may give out other false details or mix these with some correct details of the registered firm. They may change contact details over time to new email addresses, telephone numbers or physical addresses.
FCA authorised firm details
This FCA authorised firm that fraudsters are claiming to work for has no association with the ‘clone firm’. It is authorised to offer, promote or sell services or products in the UK and its correct details are:
Firm Name: The Executive Office (GBR) LLP
Firm Reference Number: 208628
Address: 16 Old Queen Street London, SW1H 9HP, UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: 44 02078081110
Email: nabil.maaloul@theexecutiveoffice.com
Website: http://www.theexecutiveoffice.com/