The AFM warns against Ashton Trading Corporation

The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) is warning investors not to respond to offers of securities services made by Ashton Trading Corporation (addresses used: The International Business Center, Room 201, 23rd Floor 105 Dun Hua South Road, Section 2, Taipei 106, Taiwan and 300 West Plaza Mayor, Centro Padre Pío, Office # 6, Rohmoser, San José, Costa Rica). The AFM has valid reasons to believe that Ashton Trading Corporation is offering securities services in the Netherlands, without having the requisite licence to do so nor has Ashton Trading Corporation been granted an exemption from this license obligation. The AFM has received complaints about Ashton Trading Corporation who has approached persons in the Netherlands for that purpose by telephone. Institutions offering securities services in the Netherlands without possessing a licence or without having been granted an exemption, are in breach of the Financial Supervision Act.

The AFM advises anyone who wants to do business with an institution or person, to check beforehand in the Institutions Register for securities services whether the institution or person concerned is registered and allowed to offer or perform securities services in the Netherlands. The register can be found on the AFM website. Furthermore the AFM advises investors strongly to check her warning lists beforehand. On www.afm.nl (warning lists) three warning lists are shown: (1) institutions and persons without a license, (2) institutions that are offering securities without issuing a prospectus and (3) warning notices issued by foreign supervisory authorities. Alternatively, investors who have any questions or complaints may call the AFM Supervision Line on +31 (0)20 5535 535.