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The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has warned people in Hong Kong about a suspected fraudulent website with the domain name "www.iswco.com". The website is operated by an alleged "International Switzerland Cooperation Bank", which claims that it offers various banking services to members of the public in Hong Kong.
People should be aware that the alleged "International Switzerland Cooperation Bank" is not authorised 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, people are reminded to verify the status of any organisation making use of the Internet to solicit deposits from the public. A list of authorised institutions is available on the HKMA's website (www.hkma.gov.hk). People 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.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Kevin Ip, Manager (Press), at 2878 1687
Hing-Fung Wong, Resource Co-ordinator, at 2878 1802
Ends/Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:04
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