February 3, 2009 Investor warnings - News Securities

Montréal – The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is urging investors to be cautious about the following companies and representatives:

• Boulton Capital Partners (Trent Solomon, Paul Gartner, John Hill);
• Limbaugh and York Associates (Sheena Ridges, Toni Trisko, Brian Lee, Jason York);
• Lincoln Venture; and
• Andrew Clayton Advisors.

These companies, which claim to be operating in the mergers and acquisitions industry, have coldcalled investors, primarily U.K. residents, proposing to buy their low-value shares for far more than their market value. To complete the transaction, investors are asked to deposit a "refundable" fee via electronic funds transfer. Once the transfer is completed, both the representative and the money disappear.

Boulton Capital Partners is on warning lists in the U.K. and Ireland. Limbaugh and York Associates is on warnings lists in the U.K. and on the Isle of Man.

The companies referred to in this AMF warning mention that their offices are located in Montréal, which is not the case according to research conducted by AMF Investigations. The AMF co-operates regularly with regulatory authorities in other countries to protect investors against scammers who cross borders to dupe their victims.

At this point, it is not known whether Québec investors were contacted. The companies are not registered with the AMF to carry on business as a securities dealer or adviser and are therefore not authorized to solicit investors in Québec.

The AMF reminds investors that they should always check with the AMF Information Centre that the firms and individuals offering to act as intermediaries have the necessary approvals from the AMF. "Investors should be very cautious when a company offers to buy their shares for more than they are actually worth, especially if asked to pay a fee up front," said Anne-Marie Poitras, Superintendent, AMF Client Services and Compensation. In several similar cases, investors lost their deposits and never received the money they were promised," she added.

For further information, read Red-Flagging Financial Fraud. You can download this brochure from the AMF website or order it through the AMF Information Centre. It will help you recognize several types of illegal tactics, and provides tips to keep you on guard against fraud artists.

If you believe you have been approached by one of these companies, contact the AMF Information Centre.

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is the regulatory and oversight body for Québec’s financial sector.

— 30 —

Information:

Media only:
Sylvain Théberge: (514) 940-2176

Information Centre:
Québec City: 418-525-0337
Montréal: 514-395-0337
Toll-free: 1-877-525-0337