This type of fraud has been around for several years, but still seems to be quite prolific. They mainly seem to come from Switzerland.

Letters are sent to the accounts departments of companies, suggesting by appearance that they are invoices for advertisements to be entered into an international business directory, usually a telephone or fax directory.

A momentary lapse in concentration by staff can result in the requested amount being paid.

You might not be surprised to find out that there is no directory. You might also say that you would never fall for something as simple as this.

Are you sure? Hundreds of companies are conned in this way each year.

View an example of a business directory fraud invoice

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Example of a fraudulent business invoice

This particular example of a fraudulent business invoice comes from a company named IT&T AG. The company's address is printed on the top of the form and is shown as: -

IT&T AG

PO Box 1251

6301 Zug - Switzerland

Fax ++41(41)7294658

email: info@ittag.com

Internet: http://www.ittag.com

There are a number of other details on the form including: -

Postbank CH 6200 Luzern 2

Acc. No. 60-16469-1

Credit Suissa CH - 63D1 Zug

Acc. No. 0823 854146-11

Swift Code CRESCHZZ63A

The form appears to be an official invoice regarding "Your entry in the Fax Directory International/Publication offer"

The invoice contains ID/order numbers (in this example it is F00/UX/15661376) and a recent date. There is then a small table that shows Advertisement information and Currency/Amount. Under advertisement information is the IT&T Fax directory edition 2000/2001 and under the Currency/Amount is GBP 430.00 (Great British Pounds).

The invoice offers a 3% discount if payment is made within 14 days. It also states the following: -

The Advertisement information will be entered in the "Fax Directory International" upon signature of this offer or payment of the registration fee indicated above. With payment by bank transfer please indicate your ID-Number.

Business Conditions Overleaf

The undersigned company hereby orders the publication in the "Fax Directory International" as described above and the terms and conditions of business of the IT&T AG.

Dear customer, when paying by cheque, please enclose this section! (Order Number, Place, Date and Signature). With payment via mail, please specify your order number.

For any possible corrections or for additional information, please use this section. Thank you (Company, Street, City, Postal Code, Telephone, Telex, Fax, Business).