PS
Phillip S

1 reviews | Active since Sept 2017

28 Sept 2017, 08:09

ice3x.co.za withholding my funds and FICA requirements

Can ice3x.co.za be trusted with Fica documents? I have been a little concerned about handing over my FICA documents to ice3x.co.za for several reasons so I would appreciate some advice. The company was quite happy to accept my money and then after acceptance I was unable to send it before furnishing FICA documents. The largest bitcoin exchange in South Africa and the only one with an international standing, Luno, only requires FICA documents after depositing R15,000. This, as I understand it, would be requested before the deposit is made. So why does ice3x.co.za not require this documentation upfront. Surely a company cannot accept a deposit first and subsequently demand FICA documents before releasing those funds. The second issue is that whereas the company appears to be registered as a company, as I understand it, it is not registered as a financial institution. If it isn't registered as a financial institution then how can it demand those FICA documents that have been enacted for the specific use of financial institutions? Again, I must stress, they will gladly accecpt a deposit but then in order to utilise those funds again the FICA documents are required. The assistant from ice3x.co.za of course highlighted money laundering and ******** activity. However, if that is a concern of theirs, bearing in mind that they are not a financial institution and the largest company operating in this field allows a client utilisation of their deposited money up to R15,000, why do they accept deposits without first demanding FICA documents. Surely, it is *******, to lock someone's money into their system in this manner. The third issue is that I have not been convinced of the credentials of the company. When I questioned ice3x.co.za they directed me to a page with the faces of certain people who are described as being experts in their fields. However, there is no indication of where these people reprented on these photographs actually work to check the legitimacy of these claims. Furthermore, a Google search of these people has revealed nothing. For example, their CFO Johan Gouws is described as a " private banking professional with focus on collectives with alternative and esoteric assets". I have no problem with that in principle but which bank is he a professional in and what position does he hold. Another thing that concerned me is that the address of the company given on the website (which I eventually found as it is quite hidden) may or may not be the registered address of the company. I looked for a photo of the venue on Google maps and it seems to be occupied by a run down old house with rusty vehicles on the premises. That is not something I would associate with a financial institution but rather a panel beating workshop. Granted the Google photo is several years old but then it is up to ice3x.co.za to be more upfront with tangible company details. Correspondence has not proceeded as the ice3x.co.za staff seem unable or unwilling to provide any further information to me. Note that I am not just trying to nitpick but I have a genuine concern about what happens to my private information. If you need my FICA documents, then tell me upfront before accepting my money. Just as there may be money laundering and ******** activities with regards to monetary activities that a company needs to guard against, there is also identity theft that an individual needs to guard against.

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