Alert 2002-9 attachment [The following is an electronic re-key of a paper facsimile copy. Existing imperfections of copy may have been transferred.] OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF INTERNATIONAL AND FOREIGN COMPANIES Please address correspondence to P.O. Box 3265, APIA THE REGISTRAR SAMOA Tel: (685) 24-071 PRESS RELEASE Telex: 200 CENBANK SX Fax: (685) 20-880 Email: offshore@iesamoa.net Re: WITHERSPOON, SEYMOUR & ROBINSON INCORPORATED (WSR II C.) i) Office of New York 1461 A First Avenue Suite 360 New York, NY 10021-2209 USA ii) Office Chicago 3105 North Ashland Avenue Chicago, IL 60657-3013 USA iii) Office Beverly Hills 9663 Santa Monica Blvd Beverly Hills CA 90210-4303 USA iv) Office Miami 8306 Mill Drive, Suite 222 Miami, FL 33183-4838 USA Email: inf @wsr.biz Internet: www.wsr.biz Phone: 001(646) 205 8170 Fax: 001(646) 365 3400 1. It has come to our attention that the above American company has been advertising on the Internet the availability of capital management companies registered in Samoa, and is soliciting buyers for pre approved banking licenses allegedly in Samoa and other Pacific Island jurisdictions. 2. The company is not and never has been a licensed trustee company in Samoa and has no authority to sell Samoan companies, banks or any other entities. 3. The Government of Samoa has not authorised the said company to represent them in the marketing and promotion of the Samoa Offshore Finance Centre. 4. The Samoa Offshore Finance Centre does license offshore banks - but only after a rigorous screening, vetting and due diligence process. 5. All licence applications must be submitted through a licensed trustee company. 6. The Samoa Offshore Finance Centre does not and has never allowed "pre approved banking licenses". Dated 25 July 2002 Erna Va'ai (Ms) REGISTRAR OF INTERNATIONAL & FOREIGN COMPANIES, INSPECTOR OF OFFSHORE BANKS