The New Brunswick Securities Commission has issued a temporary cease-trade order against Meisner Inc. S.A, Meisner Corporation, Meisner Incorporated, Jorge Vizcarra and George Dizcarra. The order directs these persons and entities, as well as their officers, directors, employees and/or agents, to cease trading in all securities.

The temporary order, which is effective immediately, was issued by the Commission following a hearing held today. Staff allege that the respondents were not registered with the Commission, yet were aggressively soliciting New Brunswickers with the sale of securities which included gasoline and foreign exchange currency options.

In presenting the case, staff advance that Meisner Inc. S.A., appears to be carrying on business from Costa Rica and holds itself out as an independent broker in currency and commodity options. They appear to be similar to Saxon Financial Services Ltd., an entity against which the Commission issued a permanent cease-trade order today. Meisner’s clients are also asked to transfer funds to the same bank account (in the name of “MerchantMarx”) used by Saxon Financial Services Ltd. in Frankfurt, Germany.

Staff allege Meisner’s website was registered by a Jorge Vizcarra in May of this year. A Mr. George Dizcarra was previously affiliated with Arial Trading LLC, a business very similar to that of Meisner. The Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission cease-traded that company in March of this year and staff allege the website of Arial Trading LLC went offline shortly thereafter. Staff further allege that Jorge Vizcarra was affiliated with another business (Liberty Financial Trading Corp.) which was permanently banned from trading by a Florida court. Liberty Financial’s activities resulted in losses to customers of at least $10 million.

Staff of the Commission has determined that representatives from Meisner have been persistently and aggressively calling residents in at least New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. The solicitations have a direct telemarketing approach, and suggest that large returns will be made. Potential clients are referred to a website known as tradingmx.com.

The Commission issues temporary cease-trade orders where there is the potential of immediate public harm. A further hearing on the Meisner matter will be held on 2 August 2007 to determine if the temporary cease-trade order should be made permanent.

“We are concerned about the increase in ‘boiler-room’ activity that we’re hearing about in our region,” said Rick Hancox, Executive Director of the Commission. “Representatives of boiler rooms are targeting New Brunswickers and other Canadians, using high pressure tactics over the telephone and Internet and offering very large rates of return.” Hancox said. “We are working closely with other jurisdictions on these cases.”

New Brunswick investors must be cautious when making investment decisions with strangers offering good deals, particularly over the telephone. These cases highlight the need for investors to ask the right questions and to review investment opportunities carefully.

“Most people are often embarrassed to report this type of activity for fear of what their family or friends will think, particularly if they have encouraged others to make the same investment” says Hancox. “Don’t let embarrassment or fear keep you from reporting investment fraud or abuse.”