Seeing as quite a few people seem to have an issue with IAccount / LIRI, here is my update - in case it helps or if someone has additional useful comments.
I used I-account with moderate success for a while, after they were recommended by one of the London agencies I've used before. Currently I'm in the same situation with many other people with funds stuck and outbound SWIFT payments either becoming 'cancelled' or 'failing' after about 1 month.
I've been talking to the HK regulator (Money Service Supervision Bureau, Customs and Excise Department), who offer a chance to 'report' the company, but have no conduct guidelines or enforcement process.
I'm not very optimistic about recovering my funds, however a claim via courts seems to be most practical option. Anyone local to HK could use the small claims tribunal for costs <= 75k HKD. Not an option for me, so have discussed the District Court route with a HK solicitor. District Court would allow reclaiming court fees, and having it handled remotely by a solicitor. Main objective is ensuring the companies running 'I-account' have assets in HK, so in case of obtaining a default judgment against them the funds could be recovered from them via a control order.
I account is run by PAYEDGE LIMITED (the registered MSO) and LIRI HOLDINGS LIMITED. The directors hold foreign passports (Japanese, St Kitts and Nevis) , which might indicate nominees. Some do have HK addresses. It might be fair to assume they hold their funds outside HK, in which case HK litigation would be ineffective.
My current plan is to arrange a control order before starting any litigation, to ascertain what assets said companies have in HK. I'm been told by a HK solicitor this can be done, and am currently waiting on further feedback.
I'll also report them for financial crime as per the regulator's instructions, as it seems there is evidence they are fraudulent in misappropriating customer funds and not providing advertised services. I'd advise others do the same - Email –
[email protected]; or Crime Report (CED358) that can be accessed vide
http://www.customs.gov.hk/filemanager/common/pdf/pdf_forms/ced358.pdf