CHARM Finance PLC fraud alert

It has come to our attention that fraudsters are advertising Bank Guarantees / Standby Letters of Credit (BG/SBLC) on various internet sites in many different countries and languages, presenting themselves as a project funder and financial lender and using the name, address and company registration number of CHARM Finance PLC and naming HSBC as the issuing bank.

This activity is not related to the legitimate business of CHARM Finance PLC, Church House 29 Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, United Kingdom, SW1P 3PS (England and Wales Company 09692222). The company does not deal in bank guarantees or standby letters of credit.

The paperwork provided has previously included fake CHARM Finance PLC letterhead and fake HSBC letterhead. Typically those responding to these adverts, to lease a SBLC or similar, are asked to pay an upfront service fee (e.g. $5,000) prior to the release of the instrument, thus victims are enticed to part with significant sums before they realise that the loan offer is a scam.

Names used have previously included:

  • Alex James
  • James Bell
  • Dr Forster Hermann Peter
  • Peter van Ginkel
  • Lieven de Caigney
  • Hassan Abushriha
  • Arvin Baileigh

Email addresses used or referred to have previously included:

Skype IDs used have previously included:

  • alexjam1278077
  • info.c_plc
  • info.cfinanceplc

Bogus events have also been advertised using Eventbrite.

What should you do if you have received communications from these parties or been involved with one of these transactions:

  • Do not respond to any of the email addresses, telephone numbers, or skype IDs
  • UK residents who are concerned that they might have been a victim of fraud can report the matter and seek further advice from Action Fraud, a service run by the UK Government's National Fraud Authority. Action Fraud can be contacted by telephone on 0300 123 2040, or by visiting their website www.actionfraud.org.uk
  • Non UK residents should contact the Police Authority or Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) within their country of residence.
  • If you are concerned that you may have been a victim of fraud or have had any communication with suspected parties in relation to the matter described above, please help our investigation by forwarding your communication to [email protected]

CHARM Finance PLC set up as a special purpose vehicle to facilitate the raising of debt finance to enable the parent charity to continue fulfilling its charitable objectives.  Charm Finance PLC  is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Church of England Pensions Board.

The Church of England Pension Board is one of the National Church Institutions of the Church Of England. The Church of England is the English Member Church of the Anglican Communion.