Scam Type
Bank/Credit Card Company Imposter Scam
Business Name Used
Nevly
Date Reported
Apr 28, 2022
Victim Postal Code
90008
Total Dollars Lost
$3,800.00
Scam Description
I own a small marketing boutique and was hired by an individual called Eric Blue. He claimed he was one of several stakeholders opening an online bank called Nevly. He was to pay $5900 for a Corporate Logo & Brand Identity Package for this new startup. He required me to sign an NDA. At first research, he and the company seemed legitimate. The NDA was standard. He has owned several large companies, one of which became a public stock. He also provided extensive documentation from what he claimed was the research they had outside help with showcasing research on their target audience, future profit potential, and other metrics. Initially, everything went fine. Eric loved everything we created and approved, both the logo and the brand. I sent an invoice for the first payment of $3800. He stalled for a few weeks, saying he had some personal health issues and would pay as soon as possible. After a month of emails declaring he would pay, I finally did a deeper research into this individual and new startup. Unfortunately, I discovered he was a well-known conman in the investment banking industry. I found this article online… https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/hotshot-businessman-ensnared-sask-company-failed-deal-1.5840789 I wrote to him with an ultimatum: pay by a final date, or the project would be canceled, and my company would retain all copyright ownership of what was created to that point ( per the contract I had him sign initially). He then disappeared – no more emails. I want to warn others that Eric Blue is a scam artist whose company is not legitimate.
