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Interim court orders obtained against unlicensed financial services businesses

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By Samantha Hodge
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3 minute read

ASIC has obtained interim court orders against three Brisbane-based unlicensed financial services businesses, preventing them from continuing activities and freezing money held in three bank accounts.

The orders follow injunctions granted on 18 October 2012 in the Supreme Court of Queensland against Secured Collateral Pty, Diversified Collateral Pty, Intra Management Pty and respondents Keiron Weertman, Dylan Robson and Shane Hassell.

According to ASIC none of the respondents hold an Australian financial services (AFS) licence or are authorised through an AFS licensee.

ASIC alleged that the businesses used cold calling and a website to induce investors to deposit funds into a number of bank accounts held in the names of Secured Collateral, Diversified Collateral and Intra Management with the promise that the funds would be used to buy shares on behalf of the investors and generate returns well above markets.

ASIC further alleged that Messrs Weertman, Robson and Hasell, the sole directors of Secured Collateral, Diversified Collateral and Intra Management, respectively, withdrew the money from company bank accounts in cash.

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ASIC's enquiries to date have not been able to substantiate that shares were purchased by the businesses on behalf of investors.

Between May and October this year, approximately $1,001,000 had been deposited to the accounts and approximately $708,000 of those funds has been withdrawn.

The injunctions restrain the respondents from further promoting or carrying on the businesses or any other financial services business including dealing with approximately $273,000 held in three bank accounts.

The respondents must suspend all websites under their management or ownership, advertising or offering financial services and are to refrain from publishing any internet website promoting, advertising or offering financial services.

The orders also prohibit Messrs Weertman, Robson and Hasell from leaving Australia without the consent of the court.

The injunctions remain in place until further order.