My company recieved what appears to be an invoice today (although it doesn’t actually say ‘invoice’ anywhere on it, but it’s formatted in such a way as to make it look like we owe money).
It’s from ‘United Media’ in the Czech Republic. and it’s ‘Re: your entry in the International Business & Trade Database’ to value nearly £400.
Of course this is completely unsolicited, so it’s headed for the circular file, but is it a scam, or just an invitation to join an obscure but genuine publication?
Bears all the hallmarks of a very common scam.
Heard a report on the radio about this sort of thing recently. It relies on suckering someone in a business into sending information back and therby entering into a contract. The bill then comes in and because it has all the right details gets paid without too much thought by the finance department. The Czech republic seems to be a common source of these as recovering the funds is difficult.
The publication itself is little better than a telephone directory and totally worthless.