The Central Bank has given notice of a further four companies operating in the State as unauthorised investment firms. The companies, which have not received approval from the Central Bank to trade, are: Cambridge Capital LLC, registered in the US; Dukes & Co Securities Inc, registered in the Philippines and Belize; First Iberian Investments SL, registered in Spain; and Global Asset Partners, registered in the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands.

The Central Bank stated that the companies were recommending to residents the purchase of shares, in itself an illegal activity under the Investment Intermediaries Act. "They are not regulated but even if they were, they cannot cold-call," a spokesman said. Since last August, the Central Bank has had the authority to place warning notices. About 30 companies have been placed on the list in that time, most of them with "gilt-edged" names, giving them an appearance of respectability. People who have been cold-called by such so-called investment companies should contact the Central Bank at 1890 200 469, fax (01) 6790362.