HP Autonomy shares and Richieson Securities LLC - is it a scam?

ninfield

I've been contacted by Richieson Securities LLC in New York about selling some HP Autonomy shares arising from a Special Incentive Share Split.
Their website looks a bit suspicious, as does the fact a Google search on them finds only their website and nothing else.
The fact they seem to want some money from me up front makes me even more suspicious.
Has anyone heard anything about this?
Neil

wmb194

ninfield said:

I've been contacted by Richieson Securities LLC in New York about selling some HP Autonomy shares arising from a Special Incentive Share Split.
Their website looks a bit suspicious, as does the fact a Google search on them finds only their website and nothing else.
The fact they seem to want some money from me up front makes me even more suspicious.
Has anyone heard anything about this?
Neil

Sounds like a load of rubbish. Apart from upfront payments always being a no-no, HP sold what was Autonomy to Micro Focus plc in 2017 and I've no idea what a "special incentive share split" is: share splits don't usually require any sales, the number of shares simply changes. How did they get your details? Did you own Autonomy plc shares in certificated form? IIRC HP bought Autonomy in 2011 in an all cash deal so you should have sold them anyway, or did you not accept the offer?

dunstonh

Look up boiler room scam.

ninfield

Yes, my dad did have some Autonomy shares, but as you say he sold them all. This company claim the special incentive shares were issued after the sale, which seems a bit strange.
I looked up boiler room scam and this certainly meets several of their criteria. 
Many thanks for confirming my suspicions.