The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned that an authorised major bank, ICBC (London) Plc, based at 81 King William Street, London, has been cloned by scammers.
The genuine bank, which states on its website that it is the largest bank in China, and has a subsidiary in the UK, has no association with the clone firm and is authorised to offer, promote or sell services or products in the UK.
Established in London in 2003, the authorised firm states on its website that it is “keen to offer innovative solutions to your banking needs both in China and in the UK.”
The genuine firm’s contact number is 02073978888, however the clone firm, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, has been using the telephone numbers: +852800966124, +85226833198, +8526836014, +85226833888, and +85226833899.
According to the FCA, fraudsters use the details of firms it authorises in order to try and convince people that they work for a genuine firm.
“Be aware that the scammers may give out other false details or mix these with some correct details of the authorised firm,” the watchdog added.
The clone firm has also been using or giving out the email addresses: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].
The regulator advised that if there is suspicion of a firm being cloned, the FCA should be contacted.
To find out more about cloned firms, read more here.
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