Online and Offshore
Gambling Industry News By:
Q.
Smyth
February
9th, 2007 - Page Updated at 11:45am
Senior Editor For WagerOnFootball.com Handicapping.
NETELLER
Works to Return Funds to US Customers After
US Withdrawal
WagerOnFootball.com
8 February 2007 - NETELLER
Plc (LSE: NLR), the
leading global independent online money transfer
business, today issued the following update
with regard to its US business and criminal
charges against two of its founders.
On 19 January 2007, at the request of the Group,
the Group’s legal advisers met with representatives
of the United States Attorney’s Office
for the Southern District of New York (“USAO”)
to clarify the Group’s position with respect
to the complaints brought on 16 January 2007
against two of the Group’s founders, Mr.
Stephen Lawrence and Mr. John Lefebvre. Neither
are current employees or directors of NETELLER.
In that meeting, the Group pledged to cooperate
with the USAO, indicated it was prepared to
begin document production promptly and discussed
a potential mechanism for arranging an orderly
repayment of funds to US customers.
The discussions between the Group’s legal
advisers and the USAO are ongoing. The Group
is, under advice of its legal advisers, commencing
production of documents and intends to cooperate
with the USAO in its investigation.
Following upon the complaints dated 16 January
2007, banks in the US began declining to permit
transactions involving the Group through accounts
maintained at one or more automated clearinghouses
in the United States. Additionally, the Group
has been advised that the USAO has obtained
court-ordered seizure warrants seizing funds
pertaining to the Group’s transactions.
To the best of the Group’s knowledge,
it believes that the amount of funds seized
by the USAO or otherwise restricted by third
parties does not exceed US$ 55 million. These
funds were largely in the process of being transferred
from the Group to its US customers or vice versa.
As a result of the restrictions placed by third
parties, court-ordered seizures, and related
legal concerns, the Group is currently unable
to make payments to US customers. Nevertheless,
the Group is in discussions with the USAO to
manage an orderly return of funds to US customers.
As part of these discussions, it is contemplated
that the USAO will engage a forensic accounting
firm, at the Group’s expense, to assist
in this process and to examine the Group’s
financial position. “The return of funds
to our US customers is a top priority for NETELLER”
said Ron Martin, Group President and CEO. US
customers wishing to withdraw funds from their
NETELLER e-wallet accounts will experience ongoing
delays while these discussions continue, and
a further update will be provided by the Group
once effective repayment mechanisms are determined.
To the Group’s knowledge, no criminal
action or proceeding has been brought against
the Group, its current officers or directors
by the USAO. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance
that the Group will not be charged in a criminal
action at some subsequent time. The Group intends
to work with the USAO to seek a negotiated resolution
of any allegations relating to its US activities.
Any resolution of this matter may lead to potential
sanctions against the Group including material
financial penalties, fines and forfeitures.
It is emphasized that in line with the Group’s
standard business practices for all customers,
funds held by the Group for US customers are
held in segregated trust accounts. The Group’s
own cash position remains strong and the Group
currently has sufficient working capital to
fund all its customers’ balances as well
as ongoing requirements of the business.
NETELLER remains committed to developing its
business in line with its stated strategic objectives
including geographical and product diversification
for all markets. The Group will focus on its
continuing business and the opportunities available
in the growing markets of Europe, Asia and the
Americas outside of the United States. Since
the Group’s withdrawal from the US market
on 18 January 2007, average daily new account
sign-ups of new customers from non-US markets
has been around 1,400. This compares to average
daily sign ups of 3,303 for the year to 31 December
2006. Daily fee revenue since 18 January 2007
has averaged over US$ 200,000 per day (excluding
any revenues from Netbanx, 1-Pay and interest
income). These metrics demonstrate the resilience
of the Group's ongoing business. NETELLER customers
not resident in the US continue to be minimally
affected by this withdrawal from the US market.
In view of the continuing uncertainty, the
Group's shares will continue to be suspended
from trading on AIM for the time being. Further
announcements will be made as appropriate.
About the NETELLER
Group
Trusted by millions of consumers in over 160
countries to move and manage billions of dollars
each year, the NETELLER Group operates the largest
independent online money transfer business in
the world. The Group specializes in providing
innovative and instant payment services where
money transfer is difficult or risky due to
identity, trust, currency exchange, or distance.
Being independent has allowed the Group to support
thousands of retailers and merchants in many
geographies and across multiple industries.
The Group is quoted on the London Stock Exchange’s
AIM market, with a ticker symbol of NLR. NETELLER
(UK) Limited is authorised by the Financial
Services Authority (FSA) to operate as a regulated
e-money issuer. For more information about the
Group visit www.netellergroup.com.
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