European Advisory Service

Does anyone know anything regarding the activities of the organisation EUROPEAN ADVISORY SERVICE

www.europeanadvisoryservice.info

They appear to contact those who have suffered at the hands of say MRI buying property in places other than Spain (ie Turkey, Morocco etc) and people who have fallen victim to holday club scams such as Club Class Concierge in Fuengirola and so on ....

Their website details them being able to offer assistance in the following areas:-

• Off-plan purchase schemes
• Overseas investments
• Timeshare reconciliation
• Credit card problems
• Miss-selling of stocks and shares
• Legal Companies
• Consolidation of debt payments
• Private pension concerns
• Nigerian lottery scams and more
 

They don't appear to pass on much details other than give the name of a solicitor and ask that these peope pay a sum of money (EUR1,500 approx) usually to join a class action. Normally people contacted receive little in the way of details on their appointed solicitor and as such I am usually asked to verify registrataion with the colegio de abogados in malaga which I can easily do online.

http://www.icamalaga.es/portalMalaga/printPortal.do?urlPagina=portalMalaga/PrintPersonas.do&grupo=1&capaActiva=S01500711

What I would really like to know is if this organistion is genuinely helping people or is it a front for a couple of ambulance chasers? The lawyer that always seems to be recomended is (details as per colegio)

LUIS FELIPE MENDEZ BANDERAS

ABOGADO 

Dirección:

AVDA. ESPAÑA, 146 2§

Población:

ESTEPONA 

C.P.:

29680 

Provincia:

MALAGA 

E-mail:

lfmendez@vallejoabogados.com  

Teléfono:

952-793 130             952-793 130     

Fax:

952-792 257 

Móvil:

European Advisory Services website urges caution in dealing with so called "legal firms" (ie unregistered/unregulated businesses) but they themselves appear somewhat vaque as to their set-up and address etc.

This is one of the addresses they appear to use but no address is detailed on their site

C/ Jaen 4, Edf-V Del Rocio 1A, San Pedro De Alcantara, Malaga.

Their website details their company as being HTC Ltd but I'm note sure what jurisdiction it's registered in?

I always urge caution when handing over money. But It would be great to know if any one has any knowledge or experince of this organisation and its recommeded lawyers etc. Also if you hand over the EUR1500 do they then ask for more and more etc until they bleed you dry etc.

With the number of people turning to organisations like this for help we need to do our best to help them and make sure they are not ripped off twice.

Hopefully this thread will become of benefit for those seeking information on the activities of this organisation.

Hi Faro

Not sure who they are.  Their website was registered on 8 April 2010.

The person who registered the website is:

Registrant Name:Runcan davies
Registrant Organization:facedrbts
Registrant Street1:Central Offices LLC, Lotte Plaza 9th flo
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Moscow
Registrant State/Province:russia
Registrant Postal Code:121099
Registrant Country:RU
Registrant Phone:+7.0871451246

He is also the admin, billing and technical contact for Domain Name:EUROPEANADVISORYSERVICE.INFO

The same address in Moscow appears on this website called Face Debts:

http://facedebts.com/contact.html

Not sure about HTC Limited.  There is only one H.T.C. Limited registered at Companies House in the UK and this company was incorporated in 1988 and has a registered address in Farnham, Surrey and seems to be a 'dormant' company.

I would be very cautious and try to find out more details about the European Advisory Service before parting with any money!!

Kind regards

Keith

Faro-Lack of tangible details on their site or indeed on google etc would lead me to tread with care. No address, no facts, no results just sweet talk?? The claims they make on their website , seem to be at odds with every thing else we know about refunds etc. Only my own thoughts but two statements below from their website would not have me rushing to send them €1500

Keiths info about Moscow adds to my suspicion.

Looks like the office address is a virtual office.

Info below direct from thier website

Some big names in the development world have gone bust and investors are trying desperately to claw back their money with few results so far. The question at the moments is: what are the chances of getting money back from a developer who has gone bust?
Surprisingly, the answer is: excellent – although it won’t happen over night.

How Can Purchasers Claim Their Money Back?

Spain is still very much a socialist country and the laws here are designed to help the man in the street over and above the interests of companies and individuals of power and means. Contracts in Spain usually favour the weaker party and this is the same in the world of property development.

E A S are a scam. They do not even print their address on the web page which should set alarm bells ringing. There has been various posts on this company over the last 2 years with advice to avoid them like the plague. Google their web page and see for yourself it looks like a 4 year old has produced it. Another tip is google their full name and then add 'forums' you will soon see what others are saying about them!!! DO NOT TOUCH WITH A BARGE POLE.

One of the other interesting things about companies like this is that as soon as you email them your name and telephone number you will be inundated with 'offers of help' form all four corners of the world. It is a fact that once a company like this have your details they then sell in onto other 'companies' who thing you are vulnerable or desperate.....

Thank you for your postings which pretty much confirm my own suspicions. I've just googled EUROPEAN ADVISORY SERVICE and EOS now has a no 3 listing for this thread which outranks their own listing. Hopefully that will mean anyone with an enquiry will find EOS which is where the real experts (sadly some by their own bad experiences!) reside.

The problem is when I am contacted and reading between the lines I know people are already suspicious but they are also desperate and want so badly to believe there is someone out there who can help them to recover their money.

So do Spanish law firms such as Vallejo Abogados (http://www.vallejoabogados.com/index.htm) pay commission/referral fees for client introductions etc? Their website details them as being based in Estepona. Their reference to their lawyer Luis F. Mendez Banderas gives them an air of credability because European Advisory Service seem to labour the point of him being a registered malaga solicitor and encourage people to verify his registratation details which is why they keep contacting me?

Of course there is a possibility European Advisory Service have nicked the name of practising lawyer. I have come across Nigerial lottery scams whereby notarial documentation with stamps/seals has been reproduced and to the untrained eye looks good and they detail some Bufete in Marbella with address and telephone number etc - a giveaway is the mobile number!! So if anyone knows this firm (Vallejo Abogados) in Estepona it might be worth checking if they are associated with European Advisory Service.

As regards the company HTC Ltd could it be incorporated in Gibraltar?

I read with amusement the section of their website redsam79 has highlighted. I hear you all saying IF ONLY!!!

Anyway as a result of your postings I am going to do a little bit more research into the activities of this outfit and I will keep you all posted.

Thank you again for all your comments.

I have been informed Luis Felipe Mendez Banderas of Vallejo Abogados in Estepona has confirmed that he does indeed offer legal support to European Advisory Service.

What annoys me is most is European Advisory Service try to appear as some form of agency or information body always emphasising their independence. They say they exist to implement European Consumer Laws.

As per their website

We are an independent advisory and referral company serving mainly European clients. We exist to help implement European consumer laws (both old and new) and provide help and assistance ........

For your peace of mind, EAS (European Advisory Service) are completely independent ........... You can also rest assured that any individuals, associations or government bodies we may refer you to must meet the same criteria.

EAS will give you advice, help you directly or refer you on to an appropriate body or individual best suited to deal with your particular issue. EAS are supported by lawyers and should litigation be necessary (and you wish to proceed) we may use these lawyers to act on your behalf.

So does anyone know how you can get your money back or stop these firms continuosly ripping people off? 

who do we contact to get web sites closed down or investigated. and companies starting up to rip off foreign buyers?  I have spoken with them and my partner and they seem pretty convincing.  They know everything about MRI.  Are they part of them as well?

Faro

Maybe it is just coincidence but as I mentioned the European Advisory Service website is registered at an address in Russia and on the website of Vallejo Abogados I see that they have links to letters of engagement.............

Being a Spanish Lawyer I would have expected a Letter of Engagement in Spanish and also one in English.  There is an English one there - but there is also a Letter of Engagement in Russian................

So maybe Vallejo Abogados who are based in Spain target Russian clients.............and the European Advisory Service who's website is registered in Russia target English clients.............!!!

Keith110

There's certainly a very close relationship betweeen the two if they are not one in the same.

Strangely enough their structure is almost identical to the very companies they claim to fight.  ie their company HTC Ltd would appear to be registered in Gibraltar - their office address is Spain - they use UK tel/fax  numbers and appear to have a very busy call centre there targeting mainly timeshare and holiday club victims. As they have a place of business in Spain I would have thought they should have a CIF number?

I have not had time this week to drop in on their office in San Pedro and see if anyone is actually there.  I did call their UK call centre. Apparently their sales force are very persuasive emphasising the risks of doing nothing and beneficiaries inheriting debts etc In email/letters they send out they emphasis the risk of dealing with firms pretending to be legal advisors and the importance of making sure there is a qualified lawyer on board and enter Luis Mendez quoting his membership number.

EAS then ask for money and they quote the client account of Vallejo Abogados for the money to be paid into.

Apparently anyone with timeshare or holiday club membership are being targeted by companies claiming to be able to sell their participation for an upfront fee of EUR1,300 and the next call is from a legal business who can get back their money for an upfront fee of EUR1,300. How many times must the same people be scammed? It's sounds like there is a listing of easy targets!

Hi

You may be interested to know that there is an advice body that has been established by the European Commision that you can contact for any questions like these. 

The European Consumer Centre for Services can be contacted if you require advice in this type of matter.  Are brief is below and the contact details.  There is an equivalent contact in Spain. 

 The European consumer Centre for Services   08456 08 94 94 We do have e mail contact and a web site.  eccs at tsi.org.uk

This is a new service that has been launched on 28th December 2009 in response to the EU Services Directive.  This is an important new service, funded by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and hosted and delivered by Trading Standards Institute, being offered to consumers who shop for any form of service in the EU.

The ECCS provides general information on consumer law and rights when buying services across the European Union, as well as contact details for organisations that could provide practical assistance in case of a dispute. The ECCS is an email and telephone advice service and consumers can also find detailed information on purchasing services across the EU through the website

Thanks for that advice.  Will contact them.

Just received an email from this company (European advisory service) so where did they get my email address from I wonder? Needless to say I didnt open it and I've blocked sender.....treated it as spam.

ECCS

What is your view of companies such as the "European Advisory Service"?

EAS mainly obtain email or telephone contact details of victims of some previous scam such as timeshare or holiday club membership or mis-selling of EU property and then with hard sell phone calls tell people they have a very strong case and request EUR1,300 to proceed.

EAS also hold themselves out as some form of advisory/regulatory body.

How is the public supposed to know which regulatory or advisory body they can trust?

European Consumer Centre for Services

We can't comment directly on The European Advisory Service.  However we would advise you do follow the points below:

There are many organisations ( advice) that offer free advice such as ourselves, The European Consumer Centre for Services and ECC-Net.  

If you are going to be charged for advice then that may ring aleam bells and if nothing else why pay when you can get it free.

We would suggest that you always seek advice from an official advisory body that offers free advice and is not affiliated to any company etc beofre you agree to paying any money

European Consumer Centre for Services

We can't comment directly on The European Advisory Service.  However we would advise you do follow the points below:

There are many organisations ( advice) that offer free advice such as ourselves, The European Consumer Centre for Services and ECC-Net.  

If you are going to be charged for advice then that may ring aleam bells and if nothing else why pay when you can get it free.

We would suggest that you always seek advice from an official advisory body that offers free advice and is not affiliated to any company etc beofre you agree to paying any money

I have recently joined this Forum to try and find out as much as I can about EAS. I have just had a long chat with Alan Johnson a chap who is ringing me up from EAS all the time in relation to this legal action against MRI and he states that the Owner of EAS and one of the Directors is a Duncan Forbes.

He states that the reason the company is registered in Moscow is due to the other companies Duncan Forbes is involved in.

I have stated I want to come down to San Pedro and visit his offices and meet with both the Lawyer and Duncan Forbes and he appeared happy for me to do that.

Well thats where I am at, I think I may well take a day off and fly over there , cant imagine it will cost me much in comparison to the £1800 they have asked for up front to "Join the legal action". This is what they sent me, I am waiting on their terms and conditions.

Said claim corresponds to monies paid, plus all costs and compensation incurred during recovery against defendants.

A payment to the European Advisory Service of £1800 will be applicable for the service, plus 10% of any monies recovered through the Spanish courts or via out of court settlement. Included in the costs claimed are: the fees for the services of a fully qualified lawyer, all costs incurred by the European Advisory Service, translation of documentation (where necessary), the legal fee of 10%, plus all sundry and miscellaneous costs incurred. Furthermore, upon commencement of said action, this Pro Forma Invoice constitutes a bill to be included in the claimants file for recompense by named defendants.

The lawyer will be allocated on the contract between claimants and Vallejo Abogados. Notice of Demands (Denuncia) will be issued to the defendants allowing time for an out of court settlement. Claimants will receive documentation pertaining to their case including case updates and a full Legal Report. Certain information contained herein will be replicated in the contract. Please check the details for accuracy and initial any amendments before signing your agreement .

This invoice relates solely to the case pending for claimants and defendants so named:

Claimants: Mr Alan Moore

Defendants: Mac Anthony Reality International (MRI); Martinez – Echevarria, Perez Y Ferrero Abogados (Legal Independence)

Case: The claimants demand return of monies totaling xx.xxx € from the aforementioned defendants.

I have not had the time to fully investigate EAS European Advisory Service

But if they are trading in Spain whether through a rep or branch office then they should have a CIF number (company tax number) - ask them for their CIF number and details of their Spanish fiscal representative. Any type of non-resident company trading in Spain must have a local fiscal representative. If you obtain the CIF number it can be validated.

An associate recently visited San Pedro and advised they had no office at the given address and it seemed their post was being collected by a ground floor office belonging to building administration so on that basis it would be very interesting who would meet you at that address. I would imagine if you did come you will be brought to the offices of Vallejo adogados in Estepona who strangely enough also have the ability to communicate in Russian!

It might be worth posting details of your predicament and see if any legal person on this forum would comment as to the merits of your case.

I have also been contacted by EAS to see if I had a problem with MRI. I have paid a deposit for a property in Corvera so of course I have a major problem with MRI who I consider to be a bunch of thieving bastards. More about them later.

Because of the stuff written here I am going to go and see EAS before I make up my mind what to do about my situation and I also want to speak to the lawyer firsthand like the previous gentleman. I’m more than happy to report back after that visit. I think it will give this forum a bit more credibility if there is a post from an actual client or someone who has actually visited their office or lawyer. I’m due to fly out soon so you won’t have long to wait.

After reading the stuff on here the first time round I almost decided to never to deal with EAS again but I recently got a letter from a UK solicitor for Corvera threatening me if I didn’t pay my balance so I thought I’d give them the benefit of the doubt. I am being cautious as I’d be a bit daft to take them on after reading so much negative stuff on this site which is why I’m off to the Costa soon.

Another reason for me giving them a chance is the very cosy relationship between the owner of this site and MRI. In an interview with our mate Darragh MacAnthony a few years back  the owner blogs about how wonderful darragh is, how much money he’s made – and him so young and all – over a nice spot of lunch somewhere nice. Mmmm. The eyeonspain also seems to have quite a lot of good reports about MRI scattered about the site alongside some fairly restrained complaints. In fact I wonder if my comments will be posted and, if so, how long it will stay on the site as eyeonspain seems to be very pro MRI. Or maybe they’re just scared of Carter Ruck – they wouldn’t be the first! For a more realistic view of MRI I recommend the mri support group, for some reason i cannot post link or email

For now I’m going to do my own investigating as there seem to be too many agendas going on here for the moment and I’m really not sure what’s going on. If my comments about MRI aren’t cut or shouted down I will report back after my meeting with the EAS lawyer.  I will also try to get those links up, have no ideawhy they were rejected

--

Dear Pilurini,

You cannot put a website on because you don´t have 10 posts. There is nothing against you or pro MRI. Everybody has an opinion and they can express it, especially in this forum that has been of great help to a lot of people.

So, make 10 posts and after you can place your link. Anyway the mri support group website I belive is quite famous already :).

All the best and I hope you can find solutions to your problem.

Valentina

Firstly, before I give my opinion on this matter I'd just like to clarify something for pilurini:

I'm not sure where you've got this "association" between me and MRI.  I have only ever met Darragh once when I was doing interviews at the time with various people in the market.  I know he had many enemies but he was a big player and people were wanted to hear an interview with him.  I am certainly no investigative reporter and my questions weren't great but that's the last time I ever had anything to do with them.  And as for Carter Ruck, I have absolutely no idea who he is.  Oh, and the interview was rushed in his office, not over a fancy lunch somewhere.  All the MRI reviews are still here on the site.

Anyway, EAS.  When I read this thread there was a real "deja vu" feeling about it.  I remember back in 2009 some MRI employees stole the MRI client database and set up companies based around it.  They were contacting all MRI clients trying to get money out of them.  At the time MRI published these company names as the ones, at the time, who were exploiting his database:

FURNITURE DIRECT WORLDWIDE
GODIVA  MARKETING
RESALE STRATEGY
KEY LOUNGES
RENTAL READY
EARLSTREAM  CONSULTANTS
EUROPEAN MEDIATION
TEKRAM GOLDBERG

What struck me when I read this again was that back then there was a company called "European Mediation" which were touting for business in the exact same way EAS are doing now.   It's funny how they both have "European" in their names.

The EAS website is a pile of crap.  They don't even publish their address on there.  

Why would anyone EVER trust a company asking for so much money up front if they won't even publish their names or address?  I bet the address they gave in San Pedro is the business centre, where you pay for a mailbox and the use of their conference room if you need it.

Unfortunately Spain is plagued with boiler rooms running some of the worst scams around.  I could write about all the ones I know but I'd be here for days.

My personal advice would be to steer well clear of EAS.  i really don't know why anyone would use them?!

And finally, at the bottom of their website they have a UK company name which is "Edutech Care Ltd".  A search in companies house shows the company to be registered in Surrey but have yet to file any accounts.  Not a good sign, surely?

And Faro is right, if they are legally operating in Spain they should have a CIF number.  ASK THEM FOR IT and do some more checks.  Or do the sensible thing and steer well clear of them.

Justin