Warning on Unauthorised Firm – NBI Funds/NBI Funds PLC/NBI Funds Limited/NBI Funds Advisors Limited (CLONE)

It has recently come to the Central Bank of Ireland’s (‘Central Bank’) attention, that a firm calling itself NBI Funds/NBI Funds PLC/NBI Funds Limited/NBI Funds Advisors Limited (Ireland and the United Kingdom) – www.nbifunds.com has been operating as an investment firm/investment business firm in the State in the absence of an appropriate authorisation.  This unauthorised firm has cloned the details (Irish registered address, Irish Company Registration Office number and Financial Conduct Authority authorisation number) of a firm called Neuberger Berman Investment Funds plc, which is authorised by the Central Bank and which is permitted to operate in the United Kingdom.

It should be noted that there is no connection whatsoever between the Central Bank authorised firm Neuberger Berman Investment Funds plc and the unauthorised entity that has cloned its details.

A list of unauthorised firms published to date is available on the Central Bank website.

It is a criminal offence for an unauthorised firm to provide financial services in and from Ireland that would require an authorisation under the relevant legislation for which the Central Bank is the responsible body for enforcing.  Consumers should be aware, that if they deal with a firm which is not authorised, they are not eligible for compensation from the Investor Compensation Scheme.

Fraudsters are increasingly using legitimate firms’ details to add an air of legitimacy to their fraud. The fraudsters will 'borrow' all of the legitimate information of an authorised/legitimate firm for the purpose of this fraud. They may quote authorisation numbers/company registration numbers and links to seemingly legitimate websites and even provide the real address of an authorised/legitimate firm.  Consumers are advised to check our register to verify a firm’s details and to call the firm back directly using its advertised phone number.

For further information, please visit the Avoiding Scams and Unauthorised Activity section of the Central Bank’s website.

Any person wishing to contact the Central Bank with information regarding such firms/persons may telephone (01) 224 4000. This line is also available to the public to check if a firm is authorised. Since obtaining the necessary legal powers in August 1998, the names of 361 unauthorised firms have been published by the Central Bank.

Notes