ORANJESTAD — The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) has filed a report against the company Happy Box Caribbean Consumers Supply because it is conducting illegal trade in fruit and vegetables. The company, known for its Fruit and Veggie in a box, is namely not registered in the trade register.
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The Public Prosecution (OM) received the report late Wednesday afternoon. However, spokesperson Ann Angela cannot comment on the contents. "The Officer of Justice will assess the report and decide afterwards as to what steps should be taken." KvK had organized a press conference yesterday and had published a press report to draw the population’s attention to the company’s method. In the meantime, all personnel had left the illegal company due to discontentment. One of the co-workers, Luis Luna, responsible for marketing, said they had close to 1500 customers. A part of the investments and money from customers is gone, according to him. It regards an amount of 200,000, says Luna.
Complaints
"The Chamber has heard via the media that a new company, Caha Felis, has arrived on Aruba. We had also learned that people were dissatisfied about the method of this company", says KvK-Chairwoman Lourraine de Sousa. The KvK decided to conduct an internal research when the tales increased. "All companies wishing to do business on Aruba must be registered in the trade register within seven days after having started their activities. They are obligated to register the name of the company, the type of company, the activities and the name of the owner or director." It appears that Caha Felis is not registered.
Leo Maduro, also from KvK, elaborates on the research. "On March 9th and March 26th a one-man business under the name ‘Happy Box Caribbean Consumers Supply/Caha Felis’ was reported. In both cases, the company was discontinued shortly afterwards. On April 20th, the KvK received a third report under the name ‘Happy Box Caribbean Supply’. This company still exists."
From the data of the trade register it appears the company is a ‘retail trade in food products, vegetables, fruit and household articles, appliances and electronic equipment’. During the past weeks, Caha Felis has been advertising their Fruit and Veggie in a box considerably.
People could become a member for 50 florins and would receive a box with fruit and a box with vegetables from Guinea every two weeks. "Now here’s where is goes wrong", says Maduro. "The delivery receipt, which these customers received, mentions the company name Happy Box Caribbean Food Supply. However, this company is unknown to the KvK. It is not registered and does not have any permit to perform commercial activities." KvK decided to file a report. The institute finds it important to inform the public on this matter. "Hundreds of people have become a member and have paid money to a company that apparently is operating illegally."
Any aggrieved parties?
KvK announces that citizens, who purchase services or products from new companies, should personally be observant whether the company is registered. "The trade register is public, freely perusable and available online", says De Sousa. "Those taking their chance with a new company and discovering something is amiss, can report such to the KvK or the police."
However, for her part, the spokesperson of the OM made it clear that it remains to be seen whether the KvK is allowed to file a report. "Are they the aggrieved party? Have customers of the company been disadvantaged? For that matter, the boxes with fruit and vegetables were delivered." The OM has not received any individual reports from customers of the company. "I advise those you feel they have been disadvantaged, to still file a report."
NEWS ARTICLE TAKEN FROM WWW.AMIGOE.COM
KvK announces that citizens, who purchase services or products from new companies, should personally be observant whether the company is registered. "The trade register is public, freely perusable and available online", says De Sousa. "Those taking their chance with a new company and discovering something is amiss, can report such to the KvK or the police."However, for her part, the spokesperson of the OM made it clear that it remains to be seen whether the KvK is allowed to file a report. "Are they the aggrieved party? Have customers of the company been disadvantaged? For that matter, the boxes with fruit and vegetables were delivered." The OM has not received any individual reports from customers of the company. "I advise those you feel they have been disadvantaged, to still file a report."