PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry (COCI) would like to alert the business community, government entities and citizens, that it has detected two cases of fraud with COCI excerpts that are issued to businesses.
COCI is advising the aforementioned to be on alert with respect to the fraud being committed by an individual(s) posing as a business, and to always request the original excerpt document – do not accept copies. Those involved in this fraudulent activity will be prosecuted.
“This is a very disturbing situation and we have come across a second case of fraud being committed with the COCI excerpt. Based on our internal investigation, the person(s) make a copy of the excerpt by scanning it and then manipulating the information on the form.
“They replace the information on the excerpt with other information and providing the fraudulent copy to whoever they are attempting to con. This is a crime, and the individual(s) will be prosecuted if caught,” Anastacio Baker, Executive Director of COCI said on Wednesday.
COCI advises at all times when doing business or if you suspect the business relation requires a background check, visit the Chamber Offices and a request the excerpt of this relation.
Some companies including government and government owned companies request all their business relations to provide updated business information.
The aforementioned can be in the form of the Chamber excerpt, SZV or Tax information. With this the execution or background checking is made easier and promoting better business practices overall are made.
Regardless to having the right documentation one should always be aware of persons simply not being trustworthy. The Chamber is there for all of your questions and should be utilized as such.
PHOTO: COCI Offices, Philipsburg.
