My colleagues and I have been seeking 1.3 million GBP start-up funding for our new and unique business (www.subseaventures.com)
We were unfortunate enough to encounter the following, BE SURE to look these guys up on the internet:
* ANTHONY OPPENHEIM (Not the real one who has been involved in diamonds etc. Although this one claims to be a relative but the real one feircely refutes this claim!)
* al dobbin a.K.A. Al dublin, al doblin, al dubbin
* mark smith
* hq global investments
* anglo american investments
* letze finance group from luxemburg
* brian zoro of pacasia limited
I was approached by Mr. Anthony Oppenheim of Anglo American Investments and his 'consultant' Mr. Al Dobbin with an informal offer of funding. After many emails and a number of phone calls, Anthony Oppenheim ASSURED me that he was indeed the source and that there would be absolutely no upfront fees to pay.
Based on this, I travelled to Atlanta from the UK. The whole thing was a farce, the meetings were completely delayed, the first meeting took place in a cake shop, they asked nowhere near enough questions about my business. I handed them the 10 copies of my business plan and arranged to meet them the next day.
They cancelled the next day and Al Dobbin arranged to meet me on the 3rd day. The 3rd and final day arrived and Al met me (late again) and Anthony's mother had allegedly been taken ill so he was not present! Al handed me an offer of 2.5 million funding hand-written on a scrap piece of paper!
I was also advised that I would be responsible for funding 3 - 4 of their staff to flying business-class and staying 1st class accommodation to the UK, then Gibraltar for 'site visits', then back to the USA then down to the Bahama's to open offshore bank accounts and back to the USA. This would have run into alot of money, perhaps as much as 30,000 GBP!!!
There is so very much more to say but just avoid these cranks like the plague if you value your time and money!
Here is one of my parting emails to them:
Original Message
From: SSV Limited [mailto: j. [email protected]]
Sent: 23 June 23:27
To: [email protected]; VIP
Subject: SSV Limited
Dear Anthony & Al,
Unfortunately you have STILL not clearly answered any of my questions nor have you even commented on my request for a bank letter of credit to show that you/the Luxemburg finance house actually does have the money.
I am deeply disappointed with the sheer lack of professionalism which has been displayed - you have not addressed exactly what the purpose of your site visit is for, we have received no verifiable references which do indeed check-out, the Luxemburg finance company seems to not even exist (from the checks we have performed), you have not proved to us that the funds actually exist, you never took me to your alleged offices, the meeting we had was a complete sham, your paperwork is virtually non-existent, your initial offer was insultingly hand-written on a scrap piece of paper and I am tired of having my time wasted. The more I get to know you all the more suspicious I grow, those internet allegations have obviously stemmed from somewhere as where there is smoke there is fire!
How dare you waste my time and my teams money like this, I will be sending you an invoice for my trip to Atlanta as I was assured by you Anthony that there would be no fees WHATSOEVER to pay then you drop a bombshell cost on us to fund your alleged team to perform unnecessary 'site visits and offshore bank account opening trips', you also clearly stated that YOU Anthony are the source, you led me to believe that YOU are the man with the money NOT an alleged finance house in Luxemburg. This is selling your proposals under false pretences.
How do people like you look at yourself in the mirror? Let me tell you that toying with peoples dreams and life-changing plans is, in most people's view, extremely low. Where is your integrity? What goes around comes around as they say!
I will be invoicing you for 1,000 GBP to cover our out of pocket expenses in this idiotic fiasco you enticed my team and I into. If you refuse to pay then I will be taking this matter further plus I will be reporting you to the appropriate authorities in the USA and in the meantime I will be trawling all available resources to reveal more information on you. You may have refuted allegations of the 'due diligence scam' but it seems that all you have done with us is swapped it for a 'site visit scam', we would have been crazy to part with any money with you, your initial emails were repetitive and obviously generic and all full of spelling errors. I would have been less annoyed if you could actually make yourselves credible and convincing in your efforts but you have not even achieved this.
Additionally I have spoken with the GENUINE Mr. Anthony Oppenheim and he is waiting for me to send all communications to him regarding this matter, he has denied having any relation, distant or not by this name and using his name and very similar company name is unethically misleading, if you are legitimate then you have nothing to fear but I must advise that he obviously has the financial resources to go the legal distance with you guys!
You still have a bag/rucksack of mine with some important sample wires for our submarine inside, I would like these mailing back to me BY RETURN to the address below.
I would like you to tell me at this stage if you plan to oppose reimbursing the 1,000 (which will be backed up with receipts for hotel, flights, taxis, telephone bills, food etc.) as if you do oppose then I will seek alternative methods of recouping this cost. If you would like this matter to be immediately put to bed then pay our costs and you will never hear from us again.
I await your swift reply.
Jonathon Conte
8 Isobella Road
Thorpe Astley
Leicester
LE3 3UL
United Kingdom
Original Message
From: VIP
To: 'SSV Limited'
Cc: 'Anglo American Investments'
Sent: Thursday, June 23 4:32 PM
Subject: RE: SSV Limited
Jonathon,
I have spoken with Mr. Anthony Oppenheim and he in tern spoke with the investment group in Luxenbourge.
Their position is the same. The investment group is willing to cover all the due diligence costs and the expenses associated with the general due diligence. However, they are holding firm on your covering the travel costs and expenses for the site inspection to Gibralter. To help you save money, we have no problem staying at your partner's villa while we are there. There will be a total of three people that will need to fly to meet with you and your team in London and then on to Gibralter for the site inspection itself.
Please let us know your intentions.
With regards,
Al
From: SSV Limited [mailto: j. [email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, June 23 2:53 AM
To: VIP; [email protected]
Subject: SSV Limited
Dear Anthony & Al,
Could you please respond to my email so that we can conclude matters one way or another.
Thanks,
Jonathon
Jonathon Conte (Managing Director)
Sub Sea Vigilance Limited
Tel: 44 07837 203099
Email: j. [email protected]
Website: www.subseaventures.com
"Introducing the world's 'next generation' class approved in-water ships hulls inspections and counter-measures against underwater terrorism..."
Sub Sea Vigilance Limited... Making the marine world a safer place.
Jonathon
Leicester
United Kingdom
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