Trans-Atlantic Direct - Scam

Dragana

Recruit
Messages
2
Hello,

I've been scammed by the company named Trans-Atlantic direct located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. When I invested the money (sent the wire transfer), they opened an account, promised a lot & said that I can close my account and take my money back whenever I want. Few months later I recognized that is not true. I've been fighting since October last year to get my money back & every single time I am told a different story (excuse) by Martin Shwartz as to why he can't send me the money. He closed my account without showing me the balance. On April 10th he told me that he sent the money & he even sent me the wire transfer receipt from the bank which is fraudulent because I never received the money. For the last 2 weeks he is not responding to my emails & phone calls. I can provide a proof of wire transfer that I sent & the receipt I got from him. He also avoids sending emails, he always calls but I have a few emails from him too. Please help me. Thank you.
 
Hello,

I've been scammed by the company named Trans-Atlantic direct located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. When I invested the money (sent the wire transfer), they opened an account, promised a lot & said that I can close my account and take my money back whenever I want. Few months later I recognized that is not true. I've been fighting since October last year to get my money back & every single time I am told a different story (excuse) by Martin Shwartz as to why he can't send me the money. He closed my account without showing me the balance. On April 10th he told me that he sent the money & he even sent me the wire transfer receipt from the bank which is fraudulent because I never received the money. For the last 2 weeks he is not responding to my emails & phone calls. I can provide a proof of wire transfer that I sent & the receipt I got from him. He also avoids sending emails, he always calls but I have a few emails from him too. Please help me. Thank you.
Few steps that you must follow to draw their attention to your issue,
Follow the suggested steps below:
Invite them to join this thread via email (Send an email to every possible address).
Go to their website and invite them to here via Live Chat
Also, Share your story as a review here https://www.forexpeacearmy.com/forex-reviews/15060/www.transatlantic-dir.com

You can also share your story on their social media pages mentioned below:
https://www.facebook.com/transatldir

https://twitter.com/transatldir

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trans-atlantic-direct/
 
Here is what is happening (see attached).
 

Attachments

  • rad_20180620_trans-atlantic-1.pdf
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Hello,

I've been scammed by the company named Trans-Atlantic direct located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. When I invested the money (sent the wire transfer), they opened an account, promised a lot & said that I can close my account and take my money back whenever I want. Few months later I recognized that is not true. I've been fighting since October last year to get my money back & every single time I am told a different story (excuse) by Martin Shwartz as to why he can't send me the money. He closed my account without showing me the balance. On April 10th he told me that he sent the money & he even sent me the wire transfer receipt from the bank which is fraudulent because I never received the money. For the last 2 weeks he is not responding to my emails & phone calls. I can provide a proof of wire transfer that I sent & the receipt I got from him. He also avoids sending emails, he always calls but I have a few emails from him too. Please help me. Thank you.

Go to the police and file a report there. The police can only help you recover money and not somebody on this forum.
 
They advertised in London, Hamilton I believe and St. Catharines, Ontario.

iheartradio.ca/610cktb/shows/the-world-markets-with-trans-atlantic-direct-1.3285917

There were even podcasts uploaded by the radio station with previous talk show episodes but I can’t find the link at this time. A lot of people were convinced to send their money. Surprisingly, the police listen to the AM radio but they didn’t do anything either to protect the public.

The radio show in London and Hamilton was active since 2016 I believe. Then, they stopped and moved to a different city to find more victims.
 
Their website is down and the advertised phone numbers are out of service.

The numbers:

+31 850 014 671 (local) which now forwards to a different company, Proofpoint cyber security

1-800 383 3850 (U.S. & Canada) which now is disconnected

The contact information from the company website as if looked in December of 2017.
 

Attachments

  • 523C4198-D2C0-404A-8DE3-889B0ED36512.png
    523C4198-D2C0-404A-8DE3-889B0ED36512.png
    952.8 KB · Views: 0
Last edited by a moderator:
Similar scams to Trans Atlantic Direct have occurred in the past.

https://www.cftc.gov/sites/default/files/enf/00orders/enflexus.htm

https://www.cftc.gov/sites/default/files/files/enf/02orders/enffirstbristol-complaint.pdf

http://recognizeinvestmentfraud.com...-camaco-international-ltd.-targeting-manitoba

http://www.albertasecurities.com/news-and-publications/Lists/NewsReleases/DispForm.aspx?ID=1315

This Facebook page is interesting as it reveals even further similar scams targeting people.

https://www.facebook.com/VCC-Markets-Forex-Trading-Scam-525106537520496/

Those who were victimized should have gone to the police to file a report. If enough people went, then it is likely that the police would take some form of legal action to freeze the bank accounts of the fraudsters.

A complaint should be filed against the radio stations for promoting these scams. The radio stations should also provide access to the podcasts that were deleted so that further evidence could be obtained for analysis.

It should be determined how the fraudsters were able to open accounts at banks for these scams since controls should have been in place to prevent fraudulent activity such as money laundering.

Those who were victimized should not respond to any requests on this form to recover lost funds as that is also likely to be another scam.

http://www.osc.gov.on.ca/en/NewsEve...ert-payback-limited-trans-atlantic-direct.htm
 
An update about this case.


TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2021 /CNW/ - The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) today announced that Bernard Justin Sevilla, a resident of the United Kingdom (UK), has been sentenced to 6 years in jail for fraud-related criminal convictions. Mr. Sevilla was sentenced on December 16, 2021 by Justice L. Chapin of the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto.

Mr. Sevilla pled guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000 and one count of possession of property obtained by crime contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Mr. Sevilla was arrested in the UK in October 2020 following an extradition request by the OSC. In October 2020, Sevilla was arrested pursuant to the extradition request and held in custody in the UK. In October 2021, he was extradited to Canada to face justice.

"The sentence imposed today recognizes the significance of Mr. Sevilla's crimes, which had a devastating impact on Ontario investors, many of whom were elderly or vulnerable," said Jeff Kehoe, Director of Enforcement at the OSC. "We will continue to devote significant investigative resources to seek out and bring to justice people who choose to harm Ontario investors, wherever they reside."

I wonder what will happen or has happened to the accomplice(s)?

The convictions relate to a complex international fraud scheme targeting Ontario investors coordinated by Mr. Sevilla while residing in the UK. Mr. Sevilla and an accomplice purchased airtime on local Ontario radio stations to solicit investments in a foreign exchange scheme called Trans-Atlantic Direct (TAD). Mr. Sevilla (using the alias "Martin Schwartz") and his accomplice would present one-hour "infomercials" and solicit investments.

Investors were encouraged to register an account on TAD's website and send their funds to offshore bank accounts in Spain, so TAD could purportedly trade foreign exchange contracts on their behalf. Approximately 100 Ontario investors from communities across the province invested more than $6 million with TAD, but an investigation revealed that no foreign exchange trading ever took place. Invested funds were used by Mr. Sevilla and his accomplice to support their lifestyles.
 
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