Hi Ally Catz,
Its seems as if it has gone a little quiet on here at the moment, not sure what has happened to the other people who were on here. It appears that there is an ever growing band of people who are all in the same boat thanks to Bayer Investments, and the more we delve, the worse the situation seems to get.
I would be extremely interested in learning what the information you recieve, and to see what options my mate has. I was dissapointed tolearn that even after 12 months and with the FSA brokers removing the restriction that they are still worthless. Did they say why that is? As i mentioned in an earlier post my mate has taken all of his documents to his bank and they ARE looking into it for him and have said that they will get back to him as soon as they have sorted through it all. I think he was hoping they would tell him that after 12 months an independent broker would be able to lift the restriction and he would be able to sell them. However, if as you say it can be done for £30 and they are all but useless then i'm not sure how he is going to take it. Again, talking to his missus I think he calculated that even if the Bayer restriction fee was correct and he got someone to do it over here, and then sell the shares etc, that when all was said and done he would come out of this about even, maybe even slightly ahead. I believe that this it what has been keeping him going at the moment.
I am still at a loss as to why these shares would be so worthless even after they have been converted for sale, but then again I am new to this and trying to help out a friend. Could you please let me know who it was who could de-restrict the shares please as I believe my mate tried a few numbers from the FSA site and got now where which is why he went to the bank and got them to take a look for him.
You are right that we need to support and near and dear ones at this time but we should also try and help each other as if we work togther we have more chance of finding a solution and being in the same boat so to speak, will fully understand what is going on with everyone. As soon as I find out when the bank have been in contact and what they have said to him I will be touch right away with their findings. In the mean time i'll check back have every day or two to look for new posts and to relay any further information I have discovered.
Dear All,
Sorry I've been quiet - I only have internet access at work and have been rather busy.
We have to be careful with what info we post on the forum - anyone can google bayer, including themselves and find our correspondence. I have completed online complaints against Bayer with Operation Archway and FSA and not had any response from either. I was rather hoping that Bayer's name would appear on the FSA list of foreign companies one should avoid.
I was interested to learn that there is a way of lifting the restrictions in the UK for considerably less than Bayer were quoting. I may try and look into this for Dad as some of his certificates are over the 12 month limit. Knowing who to go to would be helpful.
You asked about types of shares and how some can be worthless. I also didn't understand this initially - my Dad certainly doesn't. There seems to be several types of shares: preferred (the best, full voting rights and the ones that take the most profit or are the first ones to get any money should a company fold and I presume therefore the most expensive); common stock - I believe these are the ones mainly traded, carry voting rights; Reg S - restricted stock - no voting rights, so why would anyone want to buy them in the first place???!!! When you look at the markets and shares seem to be doing well in Saviour or whoever, these will be common stock, not Reg S as far as I understand it. Those who trade shares for a living probably wouldn't touch Reg S shares with a barge pole.
I think the next step is compiling evidence. I would suggest that we all create tables comprising the following information (do not post it on this site):
Company invested in; number of shares at cost per share; total amount invested; to which bank was money sent (including full address, sort code, account name and number); dates etc; escrow agents and their full details.
Secondly, compile a list of contact names at Bayer and phone numbers. Interestingly only one 0800 number crops up which I find odd for a company who allegely has an 'admin dept'.
Ceri found a way of privately posting her email address on this site for only me to see and we have been corresponding privately. If you wish you could do the same. I would be happy to collate information and distribute to all - if that's what you would all like. We may have a stronger case with the FSA if there are several of us putting up a united front. Unfortunately, FSA won't investigate cases unless more than £1m is involved. We could however, lodge a complaint with the CSSF in Luxembourg.
Chin up everyone. Don't let the buggers get you down. Remember even experienced share dealers can be conned in this way. On a practical note - there are some good leaflets available on/through the Debt Advisory Service web on protecting loved ones from various scams including foreign lottery, boiler rooms, advanced fee, chain letters, healthcare products with unproven results; and so on. It also includes tell-tale warning signs to look out for in (especially) the elderly such as secretiveness with money.
Best wishes