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Scam targeting small and medium businesses

Published: 19 December 2008 by CA

I am "CA" Atreya (PMP, MBA), the author of this blog. I help businesses in Atlantic Canada achieve their BHAG successfully. You may subscribe to this blog using a feed reader (RSS).

I received the following email a few days ago. From my experience working with an investment bank, I know that VCs NEVER send out such emails soliciting clients. This is most likely a scam. This is the first time I have received one. Beware of such emails - you have been warned!

from: Hans Schneider
reply-to: hans2002@consultant.com
to: hans_sc@stribmail.com
date: Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 1:09 PM
subject: Project Financing!!!

Dear Sir,

We are a small independent venture capital company with headquarters here in Germany. We are looking for individuals or companies seeking venture capital for their businesses or projects.

We are a closely-held corporation funded by institutional private and public pension funds, endowments, foundations and individuals who seek to diversify their portfolio. The pool is close to five billion US dollars. Depending on the proposal you will forward to us, we will determine its profitability before providing funds to implement such project either on a low interest loan or joint venture
financing. You will manage this business without interference for a minimum period of ten years, during
which, the profit after taxation will be shared in an agreed ratio, if it is a joint venture financing.

The investment areas is not limited as we have investments in various industry sectors, various geographic sectors and in various stages in a company’s life. This may include new businesses (early stage investing) or injection of funds into an existing firm (expansion stage investing) or even providing seed capital. You can incorporate a firm fully owned by you based on the laws of your country and we will provide the seed investment.

You will be required to meet with us to finalize arrangements on how to move the agreed funds into your
account and sign all related documents that will authorize you to manage this funds on our behalf.

Please reply to this mail and I will forward more information to you.

Regards,
Hans Schneider
Executive Loan Officer
Sent by [CompanyName] Mail

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4 Comments »

  • Rivers Corbett said:

    I can guarantee you with VCs only accepting less than 3% of submissions…finding clients is not their problem…its finding good clients.
    Thks for the heads up CA

    Rivers

    # 13 April 2009 at 4:39 pm
  • CA said:

    You are welcome Rivers.

    # 13 April 2009 at 8:24 pm
  • Doug said:

    I have to agree on this one. I have a fellow IT start-up entrepreneur who is (always) searching for more funding, and it’s just not as easy as waiting for the right email to come.

    Doug

    PS. How is it that Cash Cow Marketing is the only small business seminar in town? =)

    # 20 April 2009 at 10:21 pm
  • CA said:

    Thanks for stopping by Doug.

    I am supposed to receive updates from a few other organizations who conduct these seminars - but they take their time to send me stuff. I post seminar schedules if I receive requests from organizations. I do not typically go and seek them out. Cash Cow Marketing is by no means the only seminar around here. :)

    # 20 April 2009 at 10:37 pm

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