sandabvba.com (Clone of Previously Authorised PSD Agent)

What Is This Scam?

sandabvba.com is a fraudulent website operating as a clone of a previously authorised Payment Services Directive (PSD) agent. Scammers use this fake entity to impersonate a legitimate financial services provider in order to deceive consumers into providing personal information, payment details, or transferring funds. This type of cloning attack is particularly effective because it leverages the trust and credibility associated with an established, regulated firm. Victims may believe they are conducting legitimate financial transactions when in fact they are sending money or sensitive data directly to fraudsters.

The scam primarily targets individuals seeking financial services, payment processing solutions, or investment opportunities who may not verify the authenticity of the company before engaging with it.

Who Are They Impersonating?

The fraudsters behind sandabvba.com are impersonating S & A bvba, a legitimate Payment Services Directive agent registered in Belgium. The genuine company operates under the following details:

• Firm Name: S & A bvba
• Firm Reference Number: 509056
• Address: Torhoutsesteenweg 112, Oostende, West Vlaanderen, 8400, Belgium
• Telephone: +3259250713

The legitimate S & A bvba is a regulated payment services provider. The fraudulent clone operates under a deceptive domain name and false contact information, deliberately mimicking the appearance and branding of the authorised firm to build false credibility with potential victims.

Evidence & Regulatory Action

Multiple regulatory authorities have documented and issued formal warnings about this scam. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a warning on October 18, 2024, identifying sandabvba.com as a clone of a previously authorised PSD agent and documenting the fraudulent firm details used by scammers.

The Dutch Financial Authority (AFM) has also published an alert regarding this cloned entity. Additionally, the alert has been registered in the International Securities & Commodities Alerts Network (I-SCAN) as of October 21, 2024, ensuring international distribution of the warning across regulatory bodies.

The fraudsters associated with this scam have utilised the email address [email protected] and false address details including 67 Lombard Street, London, EC3V 9AJ—a location that does not correspond to any legitimate operation.

Red Flags

• Domain name sandabvba.com does not match the legitimate Belgian firm's official website
• Contact email [email protected] differs from the legitimate contact [email protected] associated with the real S & A bvba
• False UK address (67 Lombard Street, London) used despite the legitimate firm being registered in Belgium
• Lack of verifiable regulatory credentials when checked against official FCA, AFM, or Belgian financial authority registries
• Recent creation or registration of the fraudulent domain (characteristic of clone scams)
• Pressure to conduct transactions quickly without verification opportunities

What To Do If You Have Been Contacted

• Do not provide personal information, banking details, or payment information to sandabvba.com or associated email addresses
• Do not click links or download attachments from emails claiming to be from this entity
• Verify the legitimacy of any financial services provider by checking the official register of your national financial regulator before engaging
• Report the scam to your national financial regulator and local law enforcement authorities
• If you have already provided information or transferred funds, contact your bank immediately and report the fraud
• Monitor your financial accounts closely for any unauthorised activity