Local Billing - Another Shit Stain Processor

[gonzo]

Local Billing Solutions Accused in Online Pharmacy Scam
by Sue Denim

YNOT – British authorities have accused Local Billing Solutions Ltd., a multi-currency payment services provider that works with the adult entertainment industry, of operating a ring of companies that bilked consumers out of millions of pounds by charging them for “free trial” offers of health supplements and tooth-whitening products.

In late August, the Company Investigations department of the national Insolvency Service received court approval to shut down 27 related companies registered in County Durham but operating primarily out of Malta and Barcelona. According to investigators, between August 2009 and March 2010, seven of the companies raked in more than £19 million via the web by requesting credit card information to pay shipping and handling fees on free offers, then charging cardholders £70-£80 per month without further authorization.

Registered directors of the companies claimed to know nothing about the scheme, telling investigators Brinken Merchant Incorporated Limited paid them about £150 annually to forward corporate mail. Investigators traced ownership of the companies to Clayton Douglass, one of the founders and current principals of Local Billing Solutions Ltd., in Malta.

Local Billing told the court it acted solely as a billing agent for Canonizado International of Panama, but investigators could find no such company. Instead, they found documents tying control of at least 25 of the companies to Local Billing and Douglass.

The Insolvency Service closed the companies and their websites after determining the websites misled customers about the costs they would incur by accepting the “free” offers. The service said the terms and conditions presented on the websites were designed to confuse consumers.

“The Insolvency Service is determined to come down hard on companies who seek to rip off the public by mis-selling products,” Chief Executive Stephen Speed said. “I urge all consumers to be vigilant when it comes to ‘free trial offers,’ and remember: If it looks too good to be true, it often is.”

According to investigators, the now-closed companies appeared to be reincarnations of three entities previously closed in the public interest: Trading Planet Limited, Viv3lab Limited and Vivera Limited.

The 27 companies shuttered by the Insolvency Service were LB Belvedere Limited, LB Cygnus Media Limited, LB Deluxepass Limited, LB Eridanus Entertainment Limited, LB Evil Angel Limited, LB Friendfinder Limited, LB Global Web Solutions Limited, LB Internet Media Productions Limited, LB Ilogic Solutions Limited, LB LFP Internet Limited, LB Lyra Entertainment Limited, LB Nomad Media Limited, LB Pegasus Media Limited, LB Price Communications Limited, LB RSC Limited, LB Southint Prop Limited, LB Watt Media Limited, LB Carsed Marketing Limited, LB Nakedsword Limited, LB Cassiopeia Media Limited, LB Cybernet Entertainment Limited, LB RHS Limited, LB Pride Studios Limited, Intercontinental Consignment Logistics Limited, Gillmap Limited, Fyso-UK Limited and H5-UK Limited.

Products offered by the companies included Acai Berry Detox, Acai Power, Effective Acai, Acai Detox, Absolute Acai, Colon Cleanse Fresh, Colon Purify, Life Cleanse, Resveratrol, Resvmax, Miraculous Teeth Whitening, PureClean Teeth, Dermasensation and Dermainfuse.



Sue Denim is a freelance journalist specializing in sexuality and the adult entertainment industry.

http://www.ynot.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=news_article&sid=51903

[RawAlex]

Does it appear that they were creating front companies to obtain more processing for each of the programs in question?

[rycpitbull]

Does it appear that they were creating front companies to obtain more processing for each of the programs in question?

They also process for stolen content paysites. then again.. who doesn't these days.

http://exploitedfame.com/

[Toby]

Another known name pops up when you take a bit closer look

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/theft-and-fraud-c297922.html

Here's the deal...all those websites that you all got duped into buying stuff, including porn sites, are attached to this company known as Local Billing Limited but operates under the name of Tucano Corona in Barcelona Spain. The Owners are Clay Douglass and Mitch Platt. They are conspiring with some 20 something Indian hotshot by the name of Deepak Agarwal. This guy runs hundreds of pornsites and an offshoring company. Are you putting it together now? Here's another kicker, all their websites are registered by a company called Moniker Online Services. For all of you that have had money stolen from your account let me explain how it works. Scenario One: you buy a legitimate product from a real company. They have Local Billing do their billing and then this garbage of a company charges you for whatever under many different company names to make it look like they didn't have anything to do with it. Remember, they have your card or account number and in some cases your SS#. All those credit report websites...scams to get your personal info and pass it off onto the next fake whatever. Scenario two: you believe there is a secret to getting white teeth or making money online or even need a payday loan. You sign up or purchase something, then the charges come from everywhere. All lead back to Local Billing.
Local Billing owns "call centers". This is a place in another country where all the calls from these supposed toll free numbers come into and you talk to charlie who has a very thick Indian accent. When you call these numbers, you will here a slight pause after the first few rings and then it rings slightly differently. That's the switch of the call being transferred to this overseas call. That's why the sound is awful. Even though the numbers may differ you are still calling to the same place. Not only that, one number might be for different companies that all sold the same thing.

Does any of this make sense? I hope so. I have filed multiple reports with the FBI at their online complaint form giving as many details as I can. I hope that anyone who has unexplained charges to their accounts will file disputes with your bank or credit card company and then file a report with the FBI. The more people that do this, the more likely these morons will be punished.

[RawAlex]

It is amazing to see the same names always end up in every shitpile situation. All that is missing on this one is Legendary Lars and his malware advertising buddies.

[gonzo]

It is amazing to see the same names always end up in every shitpile situation. All that is missing on this one is Legendary Lars and his malware advertising buddies.

Well at least it answers the question of what scam that goofy bald headed bucktoothed guy that you to scam with Babenet was doing with Local Billing.