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27/04/21
18:01
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Originally posted by wotsthegoss:
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Dear All I wasn't happy with the reply's I was receiving from my initial contact at ASIC so I lodged a complaint and had my case reviewed by a higher level officer. I had several conversations and received a sympathetic hearing. The ultimate outcome is contained in the letter from ASIC received last week. I do not intend to take this matter any further as I feel I have exhausted all options barring legal action. Legal action will cost me far more than I have currently lost so not worthwhile especially with prospects of success close to zero. So here is the text of the ASIC letter for your information. Review of your report of misconduct about China Sam Enterprise Group Co., Ltd, Wolf Petroleum Ltd and others We refer to your email to ASIC dated 23 February 2021 raising concerns about our decision and the handling of your report of misconduct (Our Reference: CAS-66362- G4S7G7). We also note that we have corresponded with you subsequently regarding the issues you have identified. We have reviewed your concerns to ensure the handling of your matter was completed in compliance with ASIC’s policies and procedures. This letter sets out the outcome of our review and provides information that may assist. Your concerns ASIC understands you consider that: • China Sam Enterprise Group Co., Ltd (SAM Group) had relocated Wolf Petroleum Ltd (WPL) offices to China • SAM Group intends to abscond with a valuable Mongolian asset held by WPL • WPL failed to respond to ASIC and ASX requests for information • Chinese interests have orchestrated a raid on WPL (then an ASX listed company) by manipulating Australian regulatory rules • Minority shareholders have been left unrepresented and powerless as a result of the above conduct. Our role ASIC is Australia’s corporate, markets, financial services and consumer credit regulator. ASIC typically responds to alleged breaches of the laws we administer by considering: - the extent of harm or loss; - benefits of pursuing the misconduct; - the type and seriousness of the matter and evidence available; and - any available alternative action. These factors assist ASIC to decide whether further regulatory action is warranted. ASIC has to consider whether the facts and evidence are sufficient to take action and change our prioritisation of current matters. Please see Information Sheet 153 How ASIC deals with reports of misconduct for further information. ASIC’s consideration of your report of misconduct We have reviewed your report of misconduct, including information you provided against our regulatory requirements and made inquiries of our confidential databases. Based on the information available, ASIC has decided not to take any action at this time. We have considered your correspondence and reviewed our previous decision and will not be investigating the alleged misconduct given the nature and scope of the conduct reported. ASIC is not required to investigate every reported instance of misconduct. The information that you have provided has been recorded on ASIC’s confidential internal database. Should further information be identified that suggests regulatory action is required this information will be available for consideration. Please see Information sheet 151 ASIC’s approach to enforcement for further information. Other issues identified You have raised concerns that the conduct of SAM Group may indicate an inappropriate or opportunistic takeover of WPL. Section 606 of the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act) prohibits the acquisition of relevant interests in voting shares under certain circumstances. Documents identified in relation to the transaction in 2016 indicate that section 611 of the Act was relied on. Section 606 does not apply where a special resolution is passed at a general meeting in which no votes were cast in favour of the resolution by the acquirer or the disposer or their associates. Section 611 of the Act also requires an independent expert’s report on the fairness and reasonableness of the transaction. In this case the independent expert concluded the transaction was not fair but was reasonable. It appears that the requirements of the relevant law were complied with and disclosure made regarding the process. I note that you have also raised concerns that in ASIC’s reply to you it was not identified that ASIC had an ongoing activity regarding financial reporting by WPL. In relation to this claim of inconsistent communication, I note that your report of misconduct did not appear to specifically raise financial reporting issues involving WPL. When you subsequently raised the issue of financial reporting ASIC confirmed the regulatory action in an email dated 22 February 2021. In addition, at the time of responding to you on 29 January 2021 we had not been authorised to disclose ASIC’s regulatory action. Please see Information sheet 152 Public comment on ASIC's regulatory activities for further information. In relation to any ongoing concerns over the operation of WPL and protection of assets and shareholder rights it would appear appropriate to seek legal advice on what action is open to you or any other aggrieved person to pursue the matter privately. Commonwealth Ombudsman If you have concerns about ASIC’s management of your matter you can lodge a complaint with the Commonwealth Ombudsman www.ombudsman.gov.au. The Commonwealth Ombudsman cannot re-determine ASIC's decision, but can review the manner in which a decision has been made to ensure that it was done fairly and in accordance with the law. Yours sincerely Patrick Foran Misconduct & Breach Reporting Assessment & Intelligence
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Dear WTG, Well done and thank you for taking this as far as you have. I get your point re legal action. I know all about that, trust me. Invariably only the lawyers gain in many cases. I would offer an alternative. Take this story to the Aussie media and ask them to cover it as a warning to Aussie investors. A shining example of how one can invest in a junior market listed company and then watch a takeover and de-listing without even being able to sell your stock. So investment warnings should not merely be about the possibility of 'losing money on your investments' ie: buy at 50c and sell at 35c. But what about losing the whole 50c? How can you take over a company like Wolf (partly owned by Joe Public shareholders using the ASX), and then disappear back to China in the dead of night with the whole portfolio of assets, without compensating the Joe Public shareholders? Is this too simplistic? Investors need to be aware that this can happen. Indeed has happened here. And I would suggest that the Aussie financial media have a story here that is in the public interest to tell. Members of the Wolfpack, by all means correct me if this doesn't make sense to you? Desert Falcon/