Internet users should be wary of a suspected fraud case involving the www.eastasiacredit.com website.

The Monetary Authority warned that the site uses a name similar to that of East Asia Credit Company Limited, which was a subsidiary of the Bank of East Asia.

East Asia Credit Company's authorisation as an authorised institution was revoked after it was merged with the bank May 26.

According to the website, "East Asia Credit" has offices in Ireland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The website claims that "East Asia Credit" offers a number of banking and investment services, including deposit taking.

The authority warned that "East Asia Credit" is not authorised under the Banking Ordinance to conduct banking business or to take deposits in Hong Kong.

The bank, in a press statement today, clarified that it has no affiliation with this website, nor with any of its employees or existing or former subsidiaries.

The bank has already referred the website to Police for further investigation.

The authority has also been liaising with financial authorities in Ireland and Taiwan to take appropriate action over the site.

Anyone who has dealings with "East Asia Credit" should contact Police at 2860 5012.

The authority urged consumers to verify the status of any organisation making use of the Internet to solicit deposits. A list of authorised institutions is available on the authority's website.

The status of any entity in Hong Kong which solicits deposits from the public can be checked by calling 2878 8222.