419 'bankers' back in business

The 419 scammers who have just lost their online presence in the form of United Mercantile Credit & Investment Bank (UMCIB) certainly don't mess about when it comes to getting back to business.

We're obliged to the reader who has just alerted us to the Trans-Atlantic Private Bank - another bogus mercantile entity courtesy of the same gang which fleeced a US citizen for $1,000 as we reported last week.

The proof of the close relationship between Trans-Atlantic Private Bank and UMCIB can be found in the respective information sections. Compare and contrast:

Trans-Atlantic Private Bank

For Thirty years Trans-Atlantic has constantly shown an ability to work as a financial partner and confidante to Heads of States, Diplomats, Businesses, Prominent Individuals, Companies, Conglomerates and Governments worldwide.

Using our specialised London offices and various affiliate offices across Europe, we are well equipped and positioned to meet the international banking needs of our clients offering them utmost confidentiality and privacy for both personal and tax purposes.

Clients interests are our paramount concern.

Clients of Trans-Atlantic Private Bank, do not require authorisation under the Financial services and Markets Act 2000 and as such are entitled and qualify for the Financial services Compensation scheme. Copies of the banks last audited reports are available to clients only and are sent to you via secure courier in your welcome pack containing your account information cards, pin and cheque books.

We offer our clients the use of our exclusive debit cards and ATM cards in over 50 Countries worldwide and access to over 50,000 ATM machines globally.

Credit facilities may be provided but are subject to status and available to customers/account holders only.

We would only deal with a nominated attorney/next of kin of our clients, we do not entertain third party discussions on or about our clients from any Individual or organisation.

And here's the blurb for UMCIB:

About UCMIB

Since 1994, UMCIB has constantly shown an ability to work as a financial partner and confidante to Heads of States, Diplomats, Businesses, Prominent Individuals, Companies, Conglomerates and Governments worldwide.

Using our specialised London offices and various affiliate offices across Europe, we are well equipped and positioned to meet the international banking needs of our clients offering them utmost confidentiality and privacy for both personal and tax purposes.

Clients interests are our paramount concern.

Clients of UMCIB, do not require authorisation under the Financial services and Markets Act 2000 and as such are entitled and qualify for the Financial services Compensation scheme. Copies of the banks last audited reports are available to clients only and are sent to you via secure courier in your welcome pack containing your account information cards, pin and cheque books.

We offer our clients the use of our exclusive debit cards and ATM cards in over 50 Countries worldwide and access to over 50,000 ATM machines globally.

Credit facilities may be provided but are subject to status and available to customers/account holders only.

We would only deal with a nominated attorney/next of kin of our clients, we do not entertain third party discussions on or about our clients from any Individual or organisation.

As is the case with UMCIB, Trans-Atlantic Private Bank is not registered with the Financial Services Authority. Neither does it have an office at 7 Leadenhall Street. Which is a shame, because it handily opens on a Saturday morning, as the bank's contact details show:

Registered Office: 7 Leadenhall Street, London. EC3V
Telephone: +44-207 060 6223
Fax: +44-870 199 1660
E-Mail: info@tapb.com
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Furthermore, www.tapb.com is registered to the same "Simon Williams" who registered www.umcib.com - although he has now moved from an Edinburgh housing block to south-east London. He's kept his old mobile number, though - and it's as continually engaged as it was when we attempted to contact him last week regarding UMCIB.

We have no doubt that this particular 419 outfit has a raft of urls registered to ensure that their customers can avail themselves of their online services at all times. We have a word of advice to the Lads from Lagos, though: if you're going to set up a chain of bogus banks, make the effort to change the blurb. ®

Related link

As is the local custom, we have made a screen grab of Trans-Atlantic Private Bank available here. Just in case...

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