MEP made rapporteur on business scam

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil was recently appointed rapporteur for the European Parliament on a scam that has targeted businessmen across the EU, including Malta.

Over the past few years, many businessmen have fallen victim to misleading advertising at the hands of a Spanish-based company operating under the name of European City Guide.

Businessmen from Ireland, Malta, France and the United Kingdom are among the worst affected.

The company asks businesses advertising in a business directory on a seemingly free-of-charge basis. Soon after, however, they start receiving requests for payments in the region of €1,000.

"I want this scam to stop once and for all," Dr Busuttil told The Times following his appointment as rapporteur.

"This company is not just relying on deceptive advertising to acquire orders. It is also coercing traders to pay up by threatening them with legal action.

"I am delighted to be given this responsibility to report on Euro City Guide as I know that many sole traders and small businesses have been affected. I want to help them deal with this," he said.

His task will be to analyse the complaints and to consult with the European Commission and with specialists in the field as well as with victims who submitted complaints. He will then draw up recommendations for a line to be followed by the European Parliament on the issue.