EU Company Directory / Eucompanydirectory / Euro Business Guide / European Business Connection
Trading From Utrecht, Netherlands and Charlestown, Nevis
Page Originally Published 2nd Feb 2006, Last updated 12th Feb 2008 We first became aware of this company in September 2005, Early 2006 saw the first complaints from companies who felt mislead and had begun to receive demands for money.
UPDATE, November 2006, change of name, same tactics
In early November 2006 we became aware of a new name being used Euro Business Guide See contract (PDF). The examples seen thus far were distributed via spam email. StopECG feels that this contract is even more misleading than the previous one, see blog entry for more on this
A new website, http://www.eurobusinessguide.net/ regestered in September 2006, the terms and conditions of the 'contract' are published on the website.
Those in dispute with Euro Business Guide are advised to follow the same proceedure as outlined for dealing with EU Company Directory (Below). If you recieved the form by unsolicited email then sign up with Spam Cop and report it.
UPDATE, April 2007, New Outfit, same tactics
Starting March 2007 we have been getting complaints from people who signed a misleading form mailed by European Business Connection, They use the email bizztobizz@mail.be and website www.bizzconnect.eu (Regestered October 2006). A whois on this domain brings up a familiar name, Cornelis Boot.
Those in dispute with the European Business Connection are advised to
If this page assists you, please link to it! the url is http://www.stopecg.org/eu_company_directory.htm Alternatively, copy the content and host this information on your own website.
Assistance for Czech readers - Go To the discussion forum | Paid a disputed bill by Credit Card? Click Here
Company Info EU Company Directory appeared in 2005, using contracts almost identical in their layout to those of the Lüdenbach enterprises like the European City Guide and Construct Data (Fair Guide), and Novachannel AG. The terms on the reverse of the contract are also very similar. However it seems likely that this is a copycat affair and is not related to the Ludenbach enterprises.
The forms we have seen include the prominent words updating is free of charge at the top of the form, this is common to most of the forms from other guides that have been ruled to be misleading in the past, furthermore the price is hidden in the small print and is written as EURO 980, (not including the currency symbol makes it more likely that the price will go unnoticed)
The Modus Operandi also follows the Lüdenbach Model, here is what you can expect if you have signed the form:
Sometime after you signed you will recieve a confirmation of your 'order', almost certainly this will arrive after short 'cooling off' period has expired | Example.
Reminders are sent within months, you may also recieve phonecalls, a 'Late Payment' Fee of 98 Euros is added, quickly followed by an 'Administration Fee' of 35 Euros | Example.
Next you are informed that your account will be handed over to the law firm, usually this is Robert Kovacs (Róbert Kovács) 1073 Budapest, Barcsay u, 14, Hungary and another 300 Euros Added as a 'Legal Fee' if you do not pay immediately | Example
The Above address appears to be an office/PO Box, trade is actually conducted from the tax haven of Nevis in the West Indies. Faxes have been sent from The West Indies, while another office appears to be in Hungary or Romania.
EU Business Ltd.
Henvile Building
Prince Charles street
Charlestown
Nevis
West Indies
For legal reasons StopECG cannot issue advice either generally or to individuals on the issue of whether you should part with money based on the document you have signed. All we can do is appraise you of the situation as it stands and allow you to make up your own mind. We hope the notes below are of assistance.
EU Company Directory has many companies on its books who have, or are disputing the validity of its contracts.
As this company is new we do not know yet what 'debt collection' process they will attempt, or if they will try to enforce a contract in court.
Based on past rulings against similar documents this contract would almost certainly fail to stand up in a court, however you must accept that as it has not been challenged yet there is a small risk involved with refusal to pay.
If you are unhappy with EU Company Directory you need to file the relevant letters of complaint. Remember, the more letters you write the more likely it is that people will take note. With a new outfit like this, it is also vital that complainants get their arguments in first and put them on the record. If you are unhappy with the contract action on your part is essential, inaction will hand the initiative to EU Company Directory!
Whenever filing official complaints, we recommend you keep your letters short, polite and factual. If you feel the original document was misleading, please explain why, clearly and in your own words
You should include copies of all Correspondence you have had with the guide and with their agents. We reccomend you send high quality photocopies and should keep your original correspondence on file. If you have lost or destroyed any documents please note this in your letter of complaint.
Contact The Dutch Self Regulation Organisation No Longer Necessary
The Dutch SRO has noted that EU Company Directory appears not to trade from Holland. They cite 2 reasons for being unable to act against this guide.
The 'advertisement' was published only outside the Netherlands territory
The company is not active in The Netherlands
File a report Via the Steunpunt Acquisitiefraude (Dutch Advertising Fraud Support Centre) Essential Why: The Steunpunt Acquisitiefraude is a non governement organisation that has been very effective in fighting this sort of problem, they need reports against EU Company Directory to build a case How: You can file online (Click the link Notification and reporting on the upper left). StopECG Reccomend you compose your letter of complaint fully before filing the online complaint, you will then have accurate text to paste into the web form
Why: This is a European Problem; MEPs need to be aware as they have the power to bring forward legislation against this sort of cross border advertising, furtharmore, this particular guide is specific to the European Union How: If you do not know who your MEP is, click the one of the links below and look them up. You may find that you are represented by more than one MEP, if so, please contact them all!! Please ask your MEP to raise your concerns with The Commissioner http://www.europarl.eu.int/ALL EU Countries please navigate to your country http://www.writetothem.com/UK Only (enter your postcode, you can then fax direct from the webform!) http://www.europarl.org.uk/uk_meps/MembersMain.htmUK Only (for postal addresses)
Contact Other Companies Worthwhile Why: Contacting other companies will allow you to share information and advice, it may also assist them if they are recieving unexpected demands and thought they were alone in disputing the issue How: Go to the EU Company Directory website http://www.eucompanydirectory.com/ and follow the instructions below to find companies in your own country
In the box titled Search Name Of A Company type 'any' then click GO
On the result page scroll down and click the little arrow next to your country E.g. Sweden, then scroll back up and click the GO button next to Search By Business Sector this will show you all the companies in Sweden listed in the agriculture section, some have emails and phone numbers listed, simply contact them and ask about there expereinces
To get more companys use the drop-down where it says Agriculture and move to the next category, then Click Go
NOTE: We recommend that when writing to, or phoning companies you should not pre-emt their response, simply ask them about their experiences with EU Company Directory, if they inform you that they are unhappy, then please direct them to the advice on this webpage, the address is http://www.stopecg.org/eu_company_directory.htm
Contact The Romanian Ministry of Commerce Worthwhile Why: It appears that EU Company Directory may have their actual office in Romania, this needs to be investigated How: If you have had emails from EU Company Directory check the headers, you may find that the sender is detailed as citrus-media.ro ([212.146.85.10]) or gw-eubusiness-sediu.fibertm.ro [86.106.150.186] or both...
These adresses end in .ro, indicating that the sender is not in Holland, they are in Romania, If your emails bear this out, please contact the Romanian Ministry of Economy and Commerce and ask them to investigate the issue. We reccomend you send them your full letter of complaint and an additional note explaining why you beleive EU Company Directory are operating from within Romania
Going to the Press Worthwhile Why: Getting articles in the local press will forwarn others about contracts they may recieve in the post. With a new and little known company like this one, press coverage is vital to alert others! How: Getting an article into the local press is surprisingly easy More..
Contact the Government in Nevis Worthwhile Why:This company is incorporated in St. Kitts & Nevis, if you have a complaint about their activities it is important that the government there is told. How: You can easily modify your letter of complaint to the Steunpunt Acquisitiefraude, so filing this complaint will only take a few minutes. Post to:
Mr Vance W. Amory,
Minister of Finance, Trade and Industry,
Administration Building,
Main Street,
Charlestown,
Nevis,
West Indies,
Contact Local trading Standards Worthwhile Why: Differnet local Trading standards work together and the more people write in, the better picture they will have of any problem across the whole country. Also if they get a lot of complaints Trading Standards may act to warn others or do a press release. How: You can find your local contact from their website or by phoning your local council. You do not need to write a letter, a phonecall will do it.
Contact Their Bank Unimportant Why: Postbank NV are a reputable Dutch bank and they may decide that their money is better earned elsewhere! How: Write to the bank (we reccomend Carbon Copying your full written complaint by post).
The Address is:
Make sure that you inform the bank that the account used is
Acct: 1335004
IBAN : NL02PSTB0001335004,
SWIFT: PSTBNL21)
Research and Background As well as the addresses above EU Company Directory has used an address in Romania for domain registrations, it will take time to trace exactly who is behind this outfit. If you think you can help fill in the gaps, Email
The Domain was registered on 10th May 2005, Using the Nevis Address seen above.
When Checked in November 2005 the hosting details were thus:
citrus-media.ro
Str Iosif Nemoianu nr 9
Timis
Timisoara 1900
Romania
By Feb 2006 the hosting contact details had been updated to:
Microware Hungary Kft.
Martinovics u. 13.
Miskolc
B-A-Z 3527
Hungary
It appears the website is still hosted in Romania
They are registerd as EU Business Services Ltd
Registration number C27229, Charlestown Nevis (WI)
We now have several reports that one of the directors goes by the name of Cornelis Boot (or possibly Woot)
Bank Used Lloyds TSB Bank PLC
Swift Code LOYDGB2L
This Account appears to be defunct (possibly as a direct result of complaints from the public)
On 10th Feb 2006 EU Company Directory began requesting payment to a different Bank Account
Lawyer used | How to complain about the lawyer
EU Company Directory began sending letters in March 2006 indicating that they will use the following Lawyer to attempt to enforce disputed debts
Dr. Kovács, Róbert,
1073 Budapest,
Barcsay u. 14. Fsz. 3.
Hungary
In Late July 2006 the first letters began to arrive from the office of Robert Kovács, setting out EUCD's position that a legally binding agreement has been entered into. Letters seen thus far do not threaten legal action.
How To Complain About Róbert Kovács Essential
Mr Kovács has been appraised by at least one person of the concerns many hold about the trading practises of EUCD, he has chosen to continue to act for ths company. That said stopECG feel it is best that you put Kovács on notice that you will complain unless he withdraws all representation against you for EUCD and give him a chance to avoid any action on your part.
Write to him explaining your grievances regarding the disputed contract, (for this you can use the text from letters you have previously sent to the Steunpunt Acquisitiefraude and your MEP. Give him a reasonable time (2 Weeks +) to respond confirming he has withdrawn representation for EUCD. Please send copies of this letter to any official bodies you have previously complained to. Most specifically, inform your MEP as Hungary is a member of the European Union and your MEP may be able t bring pressure to bear on the Authorities in Budapest.
If you are unhappy with the response you get from Robert Kovács please complain to the Chamber of Budapest Lawyers
Budapesti Ügyvédi Kamara
Dr. László Réti Chairman
1055 Budapest, Szalay u.7.
Telefon: 36-1-3530-155, 36-1-3530-810
Telefax: 36-1-3321-385
e-mail: bpbar@axelero.hu
web: www.bpbar.hu
What To Say?
StopECG feel your complaints about Robert Kovacs should be in your own words so we cannot provide a draft letter.
Include a dossier all correspondance you have had with EUCD and Kovacs, also include copies of your letters of complaint to other bodies and their responses.
You may wish to note rulings against other very similar contracts such as the ECG and Construct Data (Fairguide).
Requst that the chamber investigates the issue and that they keep a file open on this subject.
It May be worth noting that the terms of the contract may breach EU regulations.
You may also wish to notify the Hungarian embassies and trade missions in your country. for the UK these are
Embassy of the Republic of Hungary
35 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8BY
Phone: 020 7235 5218
Fax: 020 7823 1348
Email:office@huemblon.org.uk
Collections Company | How to complain about Waldberg and Hirsch Limited
In October 2006 companies affected by EU Company Directory began recieving letters from Waldberg & Hirsch demanding payments on behalf of the directory letters are titled "Collection Of unpaid account; Your company / Dr. Robert Kovacs, EU Business Services Ltd." suggesting that the company claim to have been instructed by Kovacs on behalf of EU Company Directory
Company Information
Waldberg & Hirsch,
Hoogoorddreef 9,
1101 BA AMSTERDAM, ZUID-OST,
The Netherlands
A Google search for "Waldberg & Hirsch" Conducted on 12th October 2006 produced 0 results, a search for their domain name produced just one result; suggesting the website to be new
Whois Data obtained on 12th October 2006 found the domain www.whgcollections.com at IP 69.9.169.22, A reverse DNS points to rohost.com, and outfit in Timisoara, Romania; the server is actually in the USA. The domain was registered on 18 Sep 2006, only 3 weeks before the first letters were mailed out. This raises the question was it established primarily to assist EU Company Directory in it demands for money?
How To Complain About Waldberg & Hirsch Essential
Waldberg & Hirsch are based in The Netherlands, so complaining is actually a repeat process. Please write to all the people you wrote to regarding EU Company Directory. Feel free to ask them to investigate the following points.
Are Waldberg & Hirsch independent of EU Company Directory?
Do Waldberg & Hirsch have the relevant licences to act as debt collectors?
Do Waldberg & Hirsch actually provide services in all the countries claimed at the foot of their letter? If not have they committed an offence by claiming so?
By raising these points stopECG are in no way suggesting impropriety on the part Waldberg & Hirsch. These are simply questions that we feel need to be answered
A few other letters you might wish to write Reccomended
Here a pile of addresses and emails, kindly published by a concerned Dutch Citizen on the Red Cardinal Blog. You can actually rattle through these very quickly, sending the same message to each, do it! Vent your spleen, the more you raise awareness of this problem, the better...
Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce
Mantyu Pentermann
Advison International Trade
CCI Amsterdam
Postbus 2852
1000 CW Amsterdam
Tel: +31 0 20 531 4437
E-mail: mpentermann@amsterdam.kvk.nl
Chamber of Commerce Rotterdam
Kamer Van Koophandel Rotterdam
C. Th. (Cor) Bekker
Consultant International Business
Blaak 40 P.O. Box 450, 3000 AL Rotterdam
Tel: +31 10 402 7723
Mobile: +31 0 6 53 41 03 60
Fax: +31 10 414 5754
e-mail: cbekker@rotterdam.kvk.nl
Internet: www.kvk.nl
Chamber of Commerce Rotterdam
Kamer Van Koophandel Rotterdam
D.M.M. (Danielle) Bouwman (Advisor/ International Business)
Blaak 40 P.O. Box 450, 3000 AL Rotterdam
Tel: +31 10 402 7868
Fax: +31 10 414 5754
e-mail: dbouwman@rotterdam.kvk.nl
Kamer Van Koophandel Veluwe En Twente
Ton Kuijpers
Consulent Internationale Handel
Stationsstraat 80
Postbus 10282, 7301 GG Apeldoorn
Tel: 055 579 6176
Fax: 055 579 6138
Mobile: 0653 86 80 70
E-mail: tkuijpers@veluwetwente.kvk.nl
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Drenthe
Kamer Van Koophandel Drenthe
Ed Slagt (Senior Consultant International Trade)
Stationsweg 66, P.O. Box 27 7940 AA Meppel
Tel: +31 522 26 56 00
Fax. +31 522 26 13 51
E-mail: eslagt@meppel.kvk.nl
Internet: www.meppel.kvk.nl
Kamer Van Koophandel Utrecht
Remco De Bruijn (Ondernemersadviseur Internationale Handel)
Kroonstraat 50 Postbus 48, 3500 AA Utrecht
Tel.: 030 236 32 95
Fax: 030 231 28 04
E-mail: rbruijn@utrecht.kvk.nl
Internet: www.utrecht.kvk.nl
Kamer Van Koophandel Rivierenland
Marcel Hoebink (Bedrijfsadviseur Internationale Handel)
Laan Van Westroyen 4 Postbus 218, 4000 AE Tiel
Tel.: 0344 63 77 61
Fax: 0344 63 77 01
E-mail: mhoebink@tiel.kvk.nl
Kamer Van Koophandel Flevoland
Maria Turkstra-Visser (Medewerker Internationale Handel)
Het Ravelijn 1, Lelystad
Tel.: 0320 28 62 16
Fax: 0320 22 25 43
E-mail: mturkstra@lelystad.kvk.nl www.flevoland.kvk.nl
Kamer Van Koophandel Haaglanden
J. P. (Paulien) Dirkzwager (Consulente Internationale Handel)
Koningskade 30 Postbus 29718, 2502 LS Den Haag
Tel.: 070 70 328 72 21
Mobile: 06 22 937 235
Fax: 070 326 20 10
E-mail: pdirkzwager@denhaag.kvk.nl www. denhaag.kvk.nl
Kamer Van Koophandel Haaglanden
Jan Ter Haar (Vice President International Trade)
30 Koningskade P.O. Box 29718, 2502 LS The Hague
Tel.: 070 70 328 72 18
Mobile: +31 187 61 90 60
Fax: 070 326 20 10
E-mail: jhaar@denhaag.kvk.nl www. denhaag.kvk.nl
Kamer Van Koophandel Dost-Brabant
Ad Van Abeelen (Consulent Internationale Handel)
John F. Kennedylaan 2 Postbus 735, 5600 AS Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 232 32 47
Fax: 040 232 36 22
E-mail: aabeelen@eindhoven.kvk.nl
The Guide
We had to smirk when we got the guide, because the presentation is far from professional. Ours arrived in a very thin cheap looking DVD style case, the clips that hold the case shut do not work, nor to the clips that hold the disc in place so the disc, which is an unfinished looking gold CD-Rom had slipped around in transit and arrived badly scratched. The disc is complimented by a single card insert which is a form for the update of company details. We have done our best to make it look 'professional' in the image below. sorry if you feel it looks like a piece of cr*p. WE dutifully inserted the disc into a laptop but it did not work, something to do with needing a Javascript update... Oh well.
Sorted Daily Mirror (2nd Feb 2006) TITLE REMOVED Manchester Evening News (24th Oct 2005) (StopECG have removed the title of this article response to correspondance from solicitors AJLO, acting on behalf of EU Company Directory, we are not responsible for the wording any external pages we may link to.)
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