SFO “All Clear” puts WSD back on the map
AUCKLAND May 3, 2010 – PR NEWSWIRE
New Zealand-based financial services specialist firm WSD Global Markets (WSD) has welcomed the decision by the Serious
Fraud Office (SFO) to close its investigation after finding that WSD has no case to answer.
But WSD’s CEO Riaz Patel expressed surprise that business newspaper National Business Review is continuing to take “pot
shots” at the company and for suggesting underpinnings of wrong doing. He says WSD has suffered at the hands of
malicious press since December 2008 on the eve of its listing application to the NZX. While some of the press coverage
was subject to legal action for defaming WSD, it is not uncommon for the press to keep at a sensational story and one
where disgruntled staff have a vendetta against the firm – but WSD feels it has now gone too far.
Mr Patel further adds that “while the SFO’s investigation was directly into the affairs of WSBC Bank Ltd (an entity with
commercial ties with WSD) the matter was wrongly presented as if the affairs of WSD were also being investigated. The
negative publicity arising from that signaled the death knell for WSBC Bank and also created a massive credibility
backlash and had a negative impact on the reputation of WSD, which has resulted in irreparable business loss.
“The SFO has conducted more than a year-long investigation and we have come out with a clean bill of health. Yet it is
frustrating that there are some sections of the media that still want to hang us out to dry and I really don’t
understand what their agenda is.”
WSD director Joseph van Wijk stresses that “while investigation agencies who looked into the affairs of WSBC Bank were
provided with every proof to show that claims of money laundering by WSBC in the Cook Islands have proved to be totally
unfounded and while the court appointed experts cleared WSBC of money laundering issues, the media continue to put a
negative spin on the story.”
The media report suggesting that there is continuing concern that could lead to investigations in other countries is
“outrageous”, he adds. This refers to a trade finance transaction involving export of pulses from India by Indian
exporters while there was a trade ban and the exporters and exporters’ banks, importers and importers’ banks were
investigated, including WSBC. The investigation concluded in India in 2007 and found that WSBC had done nothing wrong.
Mr Patel says he is particularly incensed by the continued sniping from various sections of the media at the involvement
of former MPs Matt Robson and Richard Worth, who were both directors of WSD until 2009 and 2008 respectively. Such
attacks had taken a heavy toll on them personally and were completely unfounded.
“You have to start wondering about the ulterior motives of the people behind these attacks on WSD as a company and
against the directors personally,” he says. “I find it very distasteful.”
WSD’s staff and its directors past and present have stood by WSD at all times and he says that loyalty has now been
vindicated by the SFO clearance.
Mr Patel points out WSD Global Markets is now in its eleventh year of business and holds accreditations and
authorizations to do business in several countries, including the US, which obviously puts WSD under the very watchful
eye of the FBI database for background checks and are quick to act on any hint of wrongdoing. Mr. Patel says that he
personally is regularly monitored and undergoes a background/character check on these background and FBI databases every
two years as part of the conditions for holding onto the US authorizations and registrations.
“This leaves little room for speculation,” adds Mr Patel.
WSD undergoes a continuous process of scrutiny and has not only passed every single test but proven in times of global
financial crisis to be a solid, secure bet for investors and equally for employees, says Mr. Patel.
Mr Patel goes on to say: “While others may play hide-and-seek with ridiculous allegations I prefer to make use of my
time and energy constructively to lead WSD into growth and do my best to create employment, and value for shareholders
and investment partners and I take an active part in tying the knot between the Orient and the West, as championed in
the ASEAN Summit. While WSD saw a massive staff growth, the financial crisis coupled with media bashing of WSD after the
SFO involvement, staff strength in Auckland has fallen. However, WSD continues to grow in its Asia and Middle East
operations and has a very large launch in India underway. We are creating jobs in our financial services company
globally and just wish to be allowed to concentrate on our business and focus on our goals without such unwarranted and
unfair attention.”
Mr. Patel has more than 23 years experience in the financial and securities services industry, particularly in futures,
foreign exchange and commodity trading, gained in a range of positions in the US, UK and NZ. He comes from a wealthy and
very influential Indian business family that now has business bases in India, Dubai, Hong Kong, UK, and the US.
ENDS