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Suspicious fraudulent website: www.banquedenationale.com The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong to a suspected internet fraud involving "Banquedenationale Bank", a website with the domain name "www.banquedenationale.com". According to the website, "Banquedenationale Bank" has offices in Hong Kong, New York and London. The website claims that "Banquedenationale Bank" offers a number of banking and investment services. The public should be aware that "Banquedenationale Bank" 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 a representative office in Hong Kong. The address of its Hong Kong office stated in the website is incomplete and cannot be traced. The HKMA has verified with the relevant US financial authorities that "Banquedenationale Bank" does not have a banking licence in the US, nor is it insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation of the US. Moreover, the UK financial regulator has confirmed that "Banquedenationale Bank" is not authorized to carry on the regulated activities of accepting deposits in the UK. The HKMA has already referred this website to the Hong Kong Police Force for further investigation. The HKMA has also been liaising with the financial authorities in the US and UK to take appropriate action in relation to this website. Anyone who has dealings with "Banquedenationale Bank" should contact any local Police Station or Commercial Crime Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. "Members of the public in Hong Kong are reminded to verify the status of any organisation making use of the internet to solicit deposits from the public, " said a HKMA spokesperson. "Only authorized institutions regulated under the Banking Ordinance are allowed to carry on banking business or the business of taking deposits in Hong Kong. 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 2878 8222". For further enquiries, please contact: Jasmin Fung, Manager (Press),
at 2878 8246 Hong Kong Monetary Authority
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