Warning against Gulf Oil Exploration Corporation Inc.

Public warning

The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) warns consumers not to accept offers from Dupont Conseille AG and Gulf Oil Exploration Corporation Inc. The AFM has received several reports from consumers that were repeatedly approached by Dupont Conseille AG and Gulf Oil Exploration Corporation Inc with respect to the purchase of shares in Gulf Oil Exploration Corporation Inc. After they have transferred their money for the share purchase, the consumers lose sight of these institutions.

The AFM has established that Dupont Conseille AG does not hold a licence from the AFM or a European passport, issued by another European supervisor, for the provision of investment services and/or performance of investment activities in the Netherlands. In addition, the AFM has not been able to establish that the shares in Gulf Oil Exploration Corporation Inc. that are being offered and sold are real, or whether Gulf Oil Exploration Corporation Inc is a real company.

Dupont Conseille AG has, according to its website, www.dupontconseille.com and its email correspondence, its registered office at the following address: Selnaustrasse 28, Postfach 8021, Zürich – Switzerland.

The following contact details are provided on Dupont Conseille AG's website:
Telephone: (+41)445 803 710, Facsimile: (+41)445 803 869, Email: admin@dupontconseille.com

Gulf Oil Exploration Corporation Inc has, according to its website, www.gulfoilexploration.com and its email correspondence, its registered office at the following address: Two Allen Center 1200 Smith Street, Houston, Texas, 77002, USA. The following telephone number is also mentioned in correspondence: (+1) 713 353 4961.

On 3 February 2010, the Swiss supervisor FINMA placed Dupont Conseille AG on the 'negativliste' (black list) as 'unauthorised institution'.

On the basis of the indications received, the AFM initiated an investigation which has given rise to the strong suspicion that Dupont Conseille AG and Gulf Oil Exploration Inc. are so-called 'boiler rooms'.

‘Boiler room’ is the collective name for fraudulent persons and organisations that deploy crafty salespersons to call potential investors to interest them in investing in worthless and/or fake shares.

The AFM advises consumers, who wish to do business with an institution or person, to check the relevant register on the AFM's website in advance to verify whether the relevant institution or person is registered. The AFM also urgently advises consumers to check the warning lists and press releases at www.afm.nl in advance. Consumers with questions or comments can also contact the Financial Markets Information Line on: 0900-5400 540 (5 eurocents per minute).