08001804355

I have seen one of these letters from "Mr Hopwood" of Straetus.  I doubt he will press for payment.  Do not reply or have any contact with him.  He will try to phone too if he can.

Greg thanks I will try next week and report back on what happens.

This number may call to collect a "debt" on behalf of Galil Yarden.  They are connected to a fraudulent company that claims to have sold diamonds and they are now collecting "storage fees" for what is probably coloured glass rather than diamonds.  Shove the letters in the bin and don't speak to them.  If they are genuine they will go to court.  They wouldn't dare.

I have had an on going issue with the supposed storage of a diamond with GALIL YARDEN in Switzerland, something i bought as an investment in 2013 but cannot guarantee its existence to this day.
The diamond itself is less than a fifth of the investment price and wished to sell the diamond to offset the costs of storage as the importation costs were more than the value of the diamond. I have now been contacted by STRAETUS Debt collectors threatening legal action based in Shropshire .
Should i pay anything?

Having read through a number of comments on this board I would like to provide a point of contact for concerned victims of the diamond frauds conducted by various operatives and to provide an explanation of Straetus's involvement.
Firstly, should any client have concerns and have received a collection letter I would urge them to contact us using the link in our name or at integrity@straetus.com. Straetus are an independent Dutch debt collection company with offices in 9 countries, including the UK and Israel. Galil & Yarden approached our Israel office at the beginning of this year with a request to help resolve and collect storage fees from clients who bought diamonds from various brokers.
It is regrettable that many of these brokers seem to be selling overvalued diamonds and we understand from the police that there are warrants issued for the arrest of the individuals concerned.
Galil & Yarden provided storage for these stones, at a secure vault in Geneva. We do not have any indication that they are involved in the sale of the stones. We have met with the owner of the company and are satisfied that they have provided purely a storage service to clients.
Galil & Yarden  are wishing to return the stored diamonds in June / July this year. We are also in contact with various Police forces, including the Met and City of London, as well as Trading Standards, in order to assist and help where possible.
We have also lodged a request with HMRC for those wanting the return of the diamonds that upon the return the value be assessed and tax/ duty paid on the actual value, not the purchase price. As at the time of writing this matter is still unresolved.
For clients not wanting the return of the stones and subsequent taxes / duty we are able to facilitate transfer of ownership to Galil & Yarden one the storage fees are paid.
The physical location of the stones makes it all but impossible to ‘walk in’ and check them. They are in a highly restricted and protected area that is designated ‘duty free’. As soon as the stones leave the vault, other than by approved transference to another ‘duty free zone’ they become liable for duty / tax by the Swiss authorities. It is therefore impossible for clients to visit the vault, and to remove them for appraisal themselves.
Whilst no one likes to receive debt collection letters, which are by their nature formal and somewhat intimidating, we would like to assure anyone one that receives correspondence from us that we will work with them to resolve the matter as amicably as possible, given the circumstance surrounding this situation. If you are unsure of what action to take please seek legal advice.

I have also had difficulties with this company after buying diamonds from  Apex International(ceo. Blake Aspil). City of London Police are making some investigations into Galilyarden`s activities but I can get very little information. In the meantime I have had an e-mail from Galilyarden asking for another years storage charge and a large amount to release the diamond to me in Sept. as they are no longer going to renew storage. I do not know for certain if they actually have a diamond but I am certain that it will be nowhere near to the value which I paid. As Ron Shaham`s name appeared  whist I was purchasing I fail to see how they were not aware  of the selling scam. It would be good if all the people would thing they have diamonds stored with Galilyarden could get together and act as one to get this situation sorted.

I read with interest your comments but I find it difficult to believe and trust in a company who do not answer messages left on their phone or whos e-mail address is not valid.  Also their address and phone number in Reading  seems unstaffed. I would like to get my diamond back, and would be willing to pay the storage but I do not have the blind faith to send them more money without some assurance that they have my diamond and would send it to me. I also cannot find in the original storage contract any mention of the large fee that they are requesting to release it. I would like to find a way round this problem but without contact with them it seems difficult. As regards their initial knowledge that the diamond were over valued I believe that Ron Shaham would have been well aware of this as his name was referred to during my phone purchase. Perhaps somehow all the people with stored diamond could be contacted to work together to get some common release system.

Why should the victims pay such horrendous storage fees for something worth next to nothing. Funny how you state "after storage fees are paid or should I say collected. Because you people are the ones who will make money on the back of this scam. I would say let a judge decide!!!!

At first I had an account I could look up in internet, now Galil Yarden does not exist on the internet, and both their email addresses have closed down.  I have their phone number 02033188262, which gives a recorded female voice for you to send a recorded message to them.  I have done this four times, and they don't answer,  this is a case for the police fraud squad.  The more of us that go to the poice, the more likely they will listen to us.  I have one diamond in storage at Zurich airport, supposedly worth £2600,  but valued online at £180.  Also IGL, supposedly a reputable company is subject to fraud,  If they give a certificate with a diamond purchase and put a value on the diamond in the certificate, don't believe it.

I was conned by a diamond purchase through Walbrook, now liquidated, and diamond stored with Galil Yarden in Zurich. Their UK office is 1650 Arlington Business Park, Theale, Reading, RG7 45A. Their website is closed down, no access to my online account,  and both their email addresses no longer exist.  And yet I get a recorded message from them on 02033188262.  They will not answer your recorded reply.

I have been conned out of nearly £2700 by Walbrook,  now liquidated, and now Galil Yarden,  who is my storage company in zurich, they also are not available to contact now.

I have also been conned by Walbrook,  now liquidated,  and Galil Yarden the storage company in Zurich not available to contact, who have my diamond in storage.

you should contact the Scotland Yard fraud squad as I have done, this will lead to Griffins or the government insolvency service, which will lead to the High court of Justice.  Good luck,  I have been cheated out of £2700.

I also was cheated out of £2700 by Walbrook, now liquidated, and diamond stored by Galil Yarden at Zurich airport.  Now all internet contact from the is gone , no website, or email addresses , all gone, and one phone number, an auto voice mail that does not reply to your recorded call.  Good luck.

My diamond is with Galil Yarden also,  and they are not available online now, and email addresses not available.
I have lost money through Walbrook scam.

I also have lost money through a diamond investment by Walbrook,   now liquidated.  My diamond is with Galil Yarden storage in Geneva airport.  Yes duty is 20%. Contact Action Fraud of Scotland Yard.

I only lost 7000 pounds for two diamonds, feel sorry for you also.  Conact Action fraud, of Scotland Yard

Seems I have lost not so much compared with many others,  it was 7000 pounds for two diamonds, now gone to the High court of Justice in London.  At least Walbrook has  been liquidated.

Indeed, all contact with Galil Yarden  is gone, online, no website no email addresses, one phone number that has a recorded message to reply too,  they don't answer it.

I would have the yearly fee to pay also in July to Galil Yarden, but not going to,  if I hear from Straetus Incasso  then they will get some foul abuse from me.  My case has gone to the High court of Justice, London.  Good luck