1855.com – renewed investigation with a new judge appointed

 

A rather late news flash:
Unfortunately I missed this most recent development in the long-running 1855.com saga and am indebted to my fellow Les 5 du Vin colleague, Hervé Lalau, for bringing this report by Jérôme Baudouin in the Revue du Vin de France back in early July 2017 to my attention.

On 6th June 2017 the President of the Chambre d'Instruction de la Cour d'Appel de Paris decided to fire the judge, who had been in charge of the enquiry, and to appoint a new one. The President was not impressed that after nearly two years the investigation appeared to be getting nowhere. Hopefully this second judge will be more effective and that there is a proper and thorough investigation into the scandal of 1855.com and its two principals – Emeric Sauty de Chalon and Fabien Hyon. 

When 1855 was forced into liquidation it had debts of over 40 million euros and millions of bottles, many of them Grand Cru Bordeaux, that were never delivered to their clients.

There has long been a strong suspicion that Hyon and Sauty de Chalon have had protection in high places. It looks as though this may have continued. 

First two paragraphs of the RVF Report:

Affaire 1855.com : le juge dessaisi,
l’enquête redémarre

Tournant décisif dans l’affaire 1855.com, le président de la Chambre d’Instruction de la Cour d’Appel de Paris a décidé de dessaisir de son enquête le juge enquêtant sur le site frauduleux depuis 2015 pour la confier à une nouvelle juge qui va reprendre l'enquête.

Alors que depuis deux ans, l’enquête semblait s’enliser dans les méandres de l’inertie judiciaire (voir La RVF n°613 de juin 2017), l’affaire a pris un tournant surprenant et décisif, le 6 juin dernier, lors d’une audience intense de la Chambre d’Instruction de la Cour d’Appel de Paris.

Read the rest here 

1855 – jaw dropping arnaque!

The celebrated fraudster Charles Ponzi 

would be proud of these boys!

On 21st October le Tribunal de Commerce de Paris considered the proposals made by 1855.com (now called Héraclès) and châteauonline.fr (now called Arés), to sort out their businesses. These plans had been submitted the month before. At the end of the hearing the Tribunal put back making a decision until the end of November. The 1855 group of companies went into administration in October 2013. 

The details of the 1855 business proposals are not really relevant as, on past performance, Fabien Hyon and Emeric Sauty de Chalon, will fail to keep any promises they make. Who can blame them when the French authorities allow the 1855.com arnaque, which may well owe 42€ million to 11,000 creditors to continue unabated?

The business plan submitted by 1855.com includes a proposal to repay money owed to creditors (mainly people who had ordered wines en primeur) over a period of eight years. Another proposal is to offer to some creditors a Bordeaux Superieur that can be bought in a supermarket for 5.5€ in exchange for the en primeurs they ordered but never received.  See fuller details here.  

It is difficult to understand how the long-running 1855 saga is allowed to continue unless Fabien Hyon and Emeric Sauty de Chalon still enjoy protection at a very high level.  

The 1855 scandal continues to reflect badly on the rest of the French on-line retail wine sector.     

1855 to become Héraclès: you couldn't make it up!

1855 = Héraclès

Amazing! It has finally got through to the geniuses who run the fraudulent 1855.com that their repeated failure over many years to supply the wines that their customers have ordered has made the company's name lethally toxic. So time to change the name – wipe the slate clean and hope that that there are still enough 'pigeons' to be taken in by this scam!

Shareholders in 1855.con will be asked on 19th September to vote through a name change – laundering 1855 to Héraclès (Hercules).  

'1855 va changer de nom. La société a convoqué ses actionnaires en assemblée générale mixte le 19 septembre prochain, pour notamment entériner le changement de dénomination sociale en "Héraclès".'

Lire la suite. 

How very appropriate to name a company, which sells 'mythical' wines, after a mythical character!!  

One can imagine Fabien Hyon, managing director of the 1855 group, and Emeric Sauty de Chalon, founder and president of the 1855 group   discussing the name change:

Fabien Hyon: Bonjour Emetic (Emetic is apparently the rather tasteless nickname used by Emeric's friends).

Emeric: Oui, bonjour Fabien!

Hyon: Emetic I think we have an increasing problem with 1855 name.

Emeric: Why's that?

Hyon: Doing a search on 1855.com brings up a lot of negatives. People are beginning to think we are fraudsters. It can't be long before the supply of pigeons (marks) starts to dry up. We need to react before its too late.

Emeric: Relax Fabien! Look we have got away with this scam for nearly 20 years – why change a winning formula? 

Hyon: No I'm serious Emetic – a name change would freshen everything up. All the dirty washing would go and ABUS1855.com would no longer have any meaning.

Emeric: You may have a point Fabien. Any ideas? 

Hyon: Well ...

Emeric: What about Hermes – the swift messenger to go with our new super-efficient logistics paltform?

Hyon: Emetic, I like the classical illusion but Hermes was the god of thieves! Isn't  that a bit too close to the truth?

Emeric: Perhaps...

Hyon: What about Héraclès?

Emeric: You know Fabien that's a great idea!

••

Assuming that the name change goes through on 19th September. The Fifth Labour of Hercules – Cleansing the Augean Stables – should become the First. Even better if the French authorities took on Herculean properties by closing down the 1855 stable!    

1855: fraudsters make a profit in 1st half of 2012 – quelle surprise!

 Château Pichon-Longueville

1855 are patting themselves on the back claiming that the company has made an increased profit in the first half of 2012. How amazing is this that a blatant fraud makes a profit!! Hardly surprising if like 1855 you trouser the money your clients send you and you then fail to deliver the wines they order! 

I have no doubt that if 1855 bought all of the wines they have failed to deliver to their clients, they would now be reporting a thumping loss. I hope the bailiffs who make regular calls at the offices of 1855 will take note of this increased profit announcement and press harder for payment of outstanding fines etc.

I don't know why Emeric Sauty de Chalon is so pleased with himself! After all a couple of severely brain damaged monkeys make a profit using 1855's fraudulent system. 

Emeric Sauty de Chalon, président of 1855: a brain damaged monkey could make a profit following 1855's fraudulent practices  

Despite 1855's announcement of increased profits the Paris Bourse was not fooled. Shares in 1855 fell back to their customary 0.03€ price – junk bond status. 

'1855 : bénéfices en hausse au 1er semestre.

(CercleFinance.com) - 1855 dévoile un résultat net de 420.000 euros pour le premier semestre 2012, contre 309.000 euros un an plus tôt.

Le résultat opérationnel atteint 367.000 euros sur la période, contre 209.000 euros au premier semestre 2011.

Le groupe a enregistré un chiffre d'affaires de 8,6 millions d'euros, en augmentation de 21%.

'L'activité du premier semestre 2012 reflète deux tendances opposées. D'un côté, le marché des Bordeaux Primeurs est en baisse sensible de 43%, pénalisé par le niveau de prix trop important du millésime 2011 par rapport à la qualité réelle des produits. De l'autre, les ventes de vins sont en progression grâce à la croissance organique des marques du groupe et grâce à l'intégration des Caves de la Transat. La croissance globale de l'activité du groupe ressort à 10% à données comparables', souligne Emeric Sauty de Chalon, Président de 1855.

Sur le premier semestre de l'année 2012, la marge brute de la société atteint trois millions d'euros, contre 1,7 million d'euros sur le premier semestre 2011, soit de 24 à 35%, une progression de 11 points.

'Nous sommes confiants pour maintenir sur le second semestre de l'année un taux de croissance à deux chiffres de l'activité du groupe, les mois de septembre à décembre étant traditionnellement favorables* à l'activité vins', indique enfin Emeric Sauty de Chalon.' 

Emeric Sauty de Chalon – escroc

Emeric Sauty de Chalon – fraudster

Free translation: Emeric Sauty de Chalon: "The Christmas period always offers us greater opportunities to defraud our clients."

Abus 1855.org site now up

France2 calls 1855 a fraud (arnaque)

The association Abus 1855.org set up by victims of the fraudulent 1855 to help other victims, now has both a website (www.abus.1855.org) and a Facebook page (facebook.fr/Abus1855)   

 

Creation of Abus 1855.com piles pressure on Fabien Hyon, Emeric Sauty de Chalon and Jean-Pierre Meyers

 

Fabien Hyon, managing director of the 'fraudulent' 1855 group

France2 label 1855, which is financially supported by Jean-Pierre Meyers, as an 'arnaque' 

Poor Fabien Hyon! The pressure is piling up! Not only is Bernard Michel of BIEV squeezing his 'cojones' hard to extract refunds for exasperated clients of 1855 and Cave Privée but now an association called Abus 1855.com has been set up. This is likely to bring mounting pressure on Hyon but also Emeric Sauty de Chalon, president of the fraudulent (see France2) 1855, and on Jean-Pierre Meyers whose money helps to allow 1855 to continue to defraud its clients. 

Jean-Pierre Meyers, a director of Nestlé Global and on the board of L'Oréal, is said to be annoyed (agacé) by 1855. Not half as 'agace' as the dozens of disappointed and fleeced customers of the 1855 group!!  

I wonder if there is an internal memo at Nestlé Global warning fellow directors not to mention 1855 to Jean-Pierre Meyers when making polite conversation?  

Here is the press release about the new association:          

Communique de presse
Création de l’Association ABUS 1855.com
Association au Bénéfice des Usagers Spoliés par 1855.com
Enfin, l’Association ABUS 1855.com est maintenant prête à défendre tous les clients spoliés par cette société.

Les 3 axes prioritaires de cette Association sont :

- Mettre tout en œuvre pour aider chaque adhérent dans ses démarches afin de soit se faire livrer sa (ses) commande(s) de vin soit se faire rembourser les paiements effectués avec dommages et intérêts ;
- Faire en sorte que, par une communication massive, 1855.com ne puisse plus nuire à de nouveaux clients ;
- Eviter que les méthodes douteuses usitées par la Société 1855 se répandent et soient pratiquées par d’autres entreprises ou personnes physiques.

Il est évident que cette liste n’est pas limitative et que toutes les idées sont les bienvenues.
Une adresse email existe déjà où les clients spoliés peuvent adresser leurs plaintes ou demandes : contact@abus1855.org . Nous répondrons aux demandes et questions de chacun .

Un site internet verra également très prochainement le jour : www.abus1855.org

*

This story has been picked up by la Voix du Nord:

1855.com pressée par des révoltes collectives

Le vernis craque. Force consommateurs se plaignaient de 1855.com sur les forums, mais n'attaquaient pas en justice. Le 22 mai, 1855 a été condamnée à verser 50 E par jour de retard à un particulier de Mérignac qui attendait ses bouteilles depuis 2011 (achat de 2 000 E ). Il était défendu par Me Hélène Poulou, de Bordeaux, qui aide des victimes à créer une association. « Les statuts ont été écrits, ils vont être déposés en préfecture, note Alan Chapman, qui va adhérer. Le but est de permettre à tous les adhérents de récupérer leurs vins, mais aussi de faire savoir les pratiques de 1855. »

http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/reperes-ia22b0n642462

Unlike 1855, 1856 is a wine that delivers!

Château de l'Aulée in the appellation of Touraine Azay-le-Rideau specialises in sparkling wine. Their top Crémant de Loire is 1856 – their top cuvée to mark the creation of the estate in 1856. This full, creamy sparkling wine was first made in 2006. Pure Chenin Blanc it is vinified and aged in wood for two years before spending at least 30 months sur latte. It is excellent value at 8/9 € a bottle from the estate, so not everything from the 1850s is unreliable! Just don't order it from 1855 or Cave Privée! 

Stepping back a year, the antics of the 1855 'management' – Fabien Hyon is the CEO – over Cave Privée continue to astound on this thread on La Passion du Vin. Fortunately Mr Bernard Michel de la BIEV continues to squeeze Fabien Hyon where it hurts, so that he coughs up cheques to reimburse clients for wines that are never delivered. 

A week ago I had an interesting conversation with Jacky Blot (Domaine de la Taille aux Loups in Montlouis) who told me that they don't supply Cave Privée, which hasn't stopped the company listing them. Jacky said that they get frequent enquiries from clients of Cave Privée wondering what has happened to their wines. 

Shares in 1855 continue to limp along at between 0.03€ and 0.04€ a share.  

1855 called an arnaque by France2

1855 escroquerie sur France 2

Château Lafite: still many cases of en primeur not delivered by 1855. 

The 1855 scam is getting increasing coverage in the mainstream media. Yesterday they featured on the France2, one of France's main TV channels. The report is here but will only play in France unfortunately. This sort of exposure could well be lethal for 1855. Perhaps the protection they appeared to enjoy under the previous President of the République has now gone...

Shares in 1855 closed at 0.03€ yesterday. The range all week has been between 0.04 and 0.03.    

1855: Philippe Castéja pokes Jean-Pierre Meyers with a sharp stick!

Entrance to Château Latour 

(1855 were recently condemned by a court in Bordeaux for failing to deliver 2008 Lafite and Latour to a customer)

 Château Lafite

I'm delighted to see that Philippe Castéja, president of the Conseil des Grands Cru Classées in 1855 has now spoken out against both 1855 and its investors (Jean-Pierre Meyers and Caisse d'épargne) that provide the financial muscle that allows 1855 and its associated companies (Cave Privée and Chateauonline) to continue to fleece its customers. Castéja's comments are from an excellent article in Le JDD published on 30th July 2012. 

"Nous sommes extrêmement gênés…" Président du Conseil des grands crus classés en 1855, Philippe Castéja ne veut pas employer de mots qui fâchent, mais le ressentiment est palpable. "Nous sommes en permanence questionnés par des consommateurs lésés qui ont payé pour acheter nos vins et qui ne sont pas livrés. C’est inadmissible. Et je ne comprends pas comment des gens comme M. Meyers ou la Caisse d’épargne peuvent se rendre complices de ces manoeuvres."

Philippe Castéja is clearly astonished that Jean-Pierre Meyers, a respectable businessman, banker and board director of L'Oréal and Nestlé, is complicit in the 1855 scam. It can hardly be comfortable for Jean-Pierre Meyers to be so publicly and pointedly criticised by one of the pillars of the Bordeaux wine establishment. Equally this is an embarrassment for Caisse d'épargne, who have recently invested in 1855 through Midi Capital, one of their associated companies.          

1855 – can't pay €2750 or won't pay or trading while insolvent?

Charles Ponzi signing cheques – did he pay by instalments, too? 

Here is another extraordinary chapter in the 1855 saga. In 2009 TF ordered some 2008 Mouton-Rothschild en primeur from 1855 and then later also ordered some other 2009 Bordeaux en primeur. As is their practice 1855 failed to deliver the Mouton-Rothschild, so TF took his case to a Paris court. He was given judgment in his favour with 1855 ordered to pay €2750. TF instructed a bailiff (l'huissier) to collect the debt.

Amazingly the bailiff came back to TF and told him that 1855 was in financial difficulties, so could not pay €2750 and could they pay by instalments?!!

TF has told the bailiff that instalments are not acceptable. The bailiff has undertaken to seize assets to the value of €2750 if the debt isn't paid by the end of this week. 

If 1855 cannot pay the relatively trifling sum of €2750, does this indicate that they are trading while insolvent?


What I wonder does Jean-Pierre Meyers make of this?

Also small wonder that 1855 is no longer a member of La FEVAD

Message from TF (26.7.2012)

Jim

I thought that you would be interested in the email exchange below.

I have a judgment and have instructed a huissier who tells me that 1855.com is unable to settle the €2,750 judgment debt unless it pays by instalments.

It’s beyond a joke.

Regards

TF

The email correspondence:  

---

From: f.rodriguez@nocquet.org [mailto:f.rodriguez@nocquet.org] On Behalf Of huissiers@nocquet.org
Sent: 26 July 2012 10:23
To:  TF

Subject: Tr : Réf : Tr : RE: S005350/RG NO 91-11-137/ SA 1855

 

----- Réacheminé par Francisco RODRIGUES/noc le 26/07/2012 11:25 -----

Emma Martineau/noc 26/07/2012 11:10

A huissiers/noc@noc cc Objet Réf : Tr : RE: S005350/RG NO 91-11-137/ SA 1855Lien

Monsieur,

Je fais suite à votre courrier.

La société rencontre des difficultés financières, elle ne peut régler la totalité de la dette en une seule fois.

Si à la fin de la semaine je n'ai reçu aucun acompte, je diligente un procès verbal de saisie vente.

Je ne manquerai pas de vous tenir informé.


Mlle MARTINEAU Emmanuelle
SCP NOCQUET SALOMON FLUTRE
Huissiers de Justice Associés
10 avenue de l'Opéra
75001 Paris
Tel: 01 42 60 33 24
Fax: 01 49 27 06 67

huissiers/noc Envoyé par : Francisco RODRIGUES/noc 19/07/2012 14:04

A Emma Martineau/noc@noc cc Objet Tr : RE: S005350/RG NO 91-11-137/ SA 1855

----- Réacheminé par Francisco RODRIGUES/noc le 19/07/2012 14:06 -----

"TF" <*******.com> 19/07/2012 14:02

A SCP Nocquet Salomon Flutre 10 av. de l'Opéra 75001 PARIS cc Objet RE: S005350/RG NO 91-11-137/ SA 1855

Cher Monsieur

Ce n'est pas acceptable.

La dette jugement doit être payé en entier en un seul versement.

La société est commercial et possède des actifs qui pourraient être saisis et vendus afin d'effectuer le paiement.

Cordialement

TF



-----Original Message-----
From: SCP Nocquet Salomon Flutre 10 av. de l'Opéra 75001 PARIS [mailto:huissiers@nocquet.org]
Sent: 17 July 2012 17:25
To: TF
Subject: DR:S005350/RG NO 91-11-137/ SA 1855

                                            
 Le 17/07/2012


 REF. à rappeler :
 S00535  /0 / S
 TF
 SA 1855

       EF : RG NO 91-11-137




              Monsieur le Directeur,



              Je fais suite à votre courrier.

              Le commandement de payer aux fins de saisie vente a été
              signifié à la société débitrice.

              Cette dernière vient de me soumettre une proposition
              d'échéancier de paiement sans en indiquer les mensualités.

              A réception de la proposition modifiée je ne manquerai pas
              de vous tenir informé.

              Je vous prie de me croire,

              Votre bien dévoué.

1855: BIEV pressure growing on Fabien Hyon over Cave Privée

Charles Ponzi writing cheques 

A few interesting posts on the Cave Privée thread yesterday once more signalling the very welcome intervention of Bernard Michel of the Brigade Interrégionale d'Enquête Vins et Spiritueux (BIEV).

'Tank' had ordered wines through Cave Privée, which had not been delivered, so he had asked for a refund. With no sign of the cheque he contacted Bernard Michel, who almost immediately sent the following message to Fabien Hyon, managing director of 1855 and its associated companies ChateauOnline and Cave Privée.

Message from Bernard Michel:

'Monsieur Hyon

Dans le cadre de nos pouvoirs et en vertu du code de la consommation et de son article L. 121-20-3 qui précise à l'alinéa 2 que "en cas de défaut d'exécution du contrat (de vente à distance) par un fournisseur résultant de l'indisponibilité du bien ou du service commandé, le consommateur doit être informé de cette indisponibilité et doit, le cas échéant, pouvoir être remboursé sans délai et au plus tard dans les trente jours du paiement des sommes qu'il a versées", je viendrai vérifier vendredi matin 20 juillet 2012 en vos bureaux que le remboursement demandé par l'intéressé a été effectué.

Salutations distinguées

Bernard MICHEL'

The threat that Bernard Michel would again be visiting the offices of Cave Privée brought a rapid response from the company: 

Bonjour,

Votre chèque de remboursement vous a été envoyé ce jour.

Restant à votre disposition,

Cordialement,

Translation: 'The cheque is in the post.' On this occasion I think we can assume that the cheque really is on its way and is not yet another unfulfilled promise from 1855 and its associated companies.

I suggest that other customers of 1855, Cave Privée and ChateauOnline having problems with obtaining their wine or a refund contact Bernard Michel. 

Address for Bernard Michel and BIEV:

Brigade Interrégionale d'Enquête Vins et Spiritueux (BIEV) 

Direction Régionale des Entreprises, de la Concurrence, de la Consommation, du Travail et de l'Emploi (DIRECCTE)
Ministère de l'économie, des finances et de l'industrie
19, rue Madeleine Vionnet 93300 Aubervilliers
bernard.michel@direccte.gouv.fr
téléphone 01 70 96 16 14'

** 

Another way of getting a refund from 1855: 

A Dutch customer gets his refund:

'1855.com returned my money after I complained to the European Consumers Centre http://www.eccnl.eu/. The Dutch ECC accepted my complaint (+ invoice and mail exchange with 1855)  and transferred it within one working day to the France ECC department who took the case. I sent 1855 a mail telling them what I was doing. 1855 responded very quickly  with promising my wine delivery and my respond was that I was not interested in their promises. They could either return my money or send me my wine now. I received the money within 4 working days.

Thanks for your help and maybe this helps more of your readers.'

La Fevad: 1  1855: 0 ?

1855 would appear to be no longer a member of La Fevad. The company does not appear on the membership list. 1855 joined La Fevad as a probationary member in January 2011. It would appear that they have not passed their probation.  

1855 –another injection of capital totalling 7.5 million euros - total at least 23.7m in two years!

HQ of 1855@10 Rue des Moulins – yet another injection of capital

The two press releases this morning from 1855 announcing yet another increase in capital – 7.5 million euros in two tranches of 3.0 million euros and 4.5 million euros. The 3 million is supposed to improve the quality of service by improving their logistics model and to increase the number of wines that can delivered within 48 hours. 

According to Emeric Sauty de Chalon, president of 1855, the ambition is to "Notre ambition est clairement de marcher sur les traces d'Amazon.com en terme de qualité de service" déclare Emeric Sauty de Chalon, Président. Given 1855's record I hope Amazon.com will sue for defamation and libel! 

The injection of 4.5 million euros is to 'accelerate the group's development' as explained by Sauty de Chalon: "Cette augmentation de capital va nous permettre d’accélérer le développement du groupe," déclare Emeric Sauty de Chalon, Président. 

I hope for the sake of the many customers of 1855, Cave Privée and ChateauOnline that the injection of 7.5 million euros into the business does mean that customers receive their wine and that producers get paid. 

However, 1855 has shown a voracious thirst for capital. 11th November last year there was an injection of 5 million euros. See post last November on Jim's Loire. 

On that occasion Emeric Sauty de Chalon declared:

"Cette augmentation de capital va nous permettre d'accompagner le développement des trois marques du groupe : 1855, Cave Privée et ChateauOnline" déclare Emeric Sauty de Chalon, Président.

"D'abord, en investissant fortement dans la qualité de service : nos priorités sont de réduire les délais de livraison (et notamment des Bordeaux Primeurs), d'augmenter la disponibilité des produits et d'améliorer encore nos systèmes d'information".

Far from this 5m€ injection improving the company's service, the service has clearly got worse as the thread on Cave Privée on La Passion du Vin shows.  

During 2010 there were a number of capital injections totalling 11.2 million euros. Taking today's additional injection, at least 23.7 million euros of capital has been put into 1855. In addition there is the money that customers have paid to 1855 for wines that they have not received. Shareholders might well ask why 1855 is such a mess with such a level of complaints with so many court cases against them? 

So where has all the money gone Emeric? 

Shareholders may also ask how much of this new injection of capital will need to be spent to cover all the outstanding orders as well as the expense required to settle all the court cases.    

Here are the two press releases from 1855 today:

1855 a obtenu un financement obligataire de 3.000 KE pour investir dans la qualité de service

Obtention d'un financement obligataire de 3.000 K€
Evolution du modèle logistique
Augmentation du stock de vins disponibles en 48h

17 Juillet 2012 - 1855 a obtenu un financement obligataire de 3.000 KE pour investir dans la qualité de service - COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE

1855 annonce aujourd'hui un investissement dans la qualité de service grâce une émission obligataire de 3.000 K€.

Cette émission obligataire a été souscrite par PLF1, une société européenne "spécialisée dans le financement sur-mesure des entreprises européennes les plus prometteuses". L'émission obligataire est structurée en deux tranches d'obligations de 1.500 K€ chacune, et est couplée avec une émission de bons de souscription d'actions de 1855.

Ce financement obligataire, réalisé après une due diligence en data room, a été mis en place au sein d'Athéna, bureau d'achat du groupe, et filiale à 100% de 1855.

"Notre ambition est clairement de marcher sur les traces d'Amazon.com en terme de qualité de service" déclare Emeric Sauty de Chalon, Président.

"Et pour cela, nous faisons évoluer notre modèle logistique en augmentant le nombre de produits en stock".

"Ce financement de 3.000 KE va nous permettre d'augmenter fortement le stock de vins disponibles à l'unité et expédiés sous 48h00, et donc d'améliorer nos délais de livraison".

"Cet investissement dédié à l'amélioration de la qualité de service devrait soutenir la croissance organique des marques du groupe : 1855, ChateauOnline et Cave Privée".

1855 a réalisé une augmentation de capital de 4.500 K€ pour accélérer son développement :

Souscription faite auprès des actionnaires fondateurs et historiques

Entrée d’un actionnaire institutionnel au capital du groupe

Paris, mardi 17 juillet 2012 — Communiqué de presse.

1855 annonce aujourd’hui avoir réalisé une augmentation de capital de 4.500 K€ pour accélérer son développement.

Cette augmentation de capital a été souscrite par Aphrodite (la holding des fondateurs de 1855), les principaux actionnaires de la société, et par Midi Capital (société de gestion associée au Groupe Caisse d’Epargne), qui fait ainsi son entrée au capital de 1855.

L’augmentation de capital a été réalisée par placement privé de 106 111 456  actions nouvelles au prix de 0.03 euros par action (prime d’émission comprise), et par émission de 18 977 000 actions nouvelles au prix de 0.04 euros par action.

A l’issue de cette augmentation de capital, Aphrodite, la holding des fondateurs, détient toujours 50.2 % du capital de la société.

« Cette augmentation de capital va nous permettre d’accélérer le développement du groupe » déclare Emeric Sauty de Chalon, Président.

« D’abord, en soutenant la croissance organique de l’activité Vins, qui est déjà en progression de +20% sur le premier quadrimestre de l’année 2012 ».

« Ensuite, en saisissant des opportunités de croissance externe, dans la lignée des opérations menées depuis deux ans et dont les résultats sont en ligne avec nos attentes ».

« La combinaison de ces deux leviers de développement devrait permettre à 1855 de renforcer sa position de numéro un de la vente de grands vins sur internet en France ».

1855 ordered by Bordeaux court to pay 50 Euros a day

Château Lafite – 1855 client still awaiting six bottles of 2008

SudOuest, the regional paper for South West France, reports here that 1855 has been ordered by a Bordeaux court to pay 50€ a day from 22nd May 2012 to a client who had ordered on 4th August 2009 six bottles each of 2008 Latour and 2008 Lafite. These should have been delivered in 2011 but, as is so often the case with 1855, the client has so far not received them.

The case against 1855 was conducted by Hélène Poulou of the law firm SCP Bonnet-Laborie, 116 Cours Astride Briand, 33000 Bordeaux Tel: 05.56.31.44.65.

SudOuest also reports that the number of complaints received La brigade interrégionale d'enquête sur les vins et spiritueux (service de la DGCCRF - French Fraud Squad) continues to grow. One has to wonder when given all this evidence the DGCCRF are going to take decisive action against 1855 and its associated companies – ChateauOnline and Cave Privée?  

It is good to see court cases involving 1855 are getting exposure in the French press. However, if they covered all the court cases involving 1855 there wouldn't be space for any other news! 

For much of last week shares in 1855 were changing hands at 0.03€, although they finished the week on 0.04€ following a small late transaction that pushed the price back up to 0.04€. This morning the shares have immediately dropped back to 0.03€.

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'Management' and leading shareholder of 1855 

Emeric Sauty de Chalon and Fabien Hyon are the senior 'management' team of 1855 (1855.com, 1855.con). Thierry Maincent was an administrateur and one of the directeur général délégués until he resigned his posts for personal reasons on 30th September 2010. Businessman Jean-Pierre Meyers, who is on the boards of L'Oréal and Nestlé, is a long-term shareholder of 1855.  Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers, the daughter of L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, is also an investor in 1855. 

1855 is a probationary member of La Fevad.

      

1855: same problems with Cave Privée

10 Rue des Moulins, Paris – the offices of 1855 are here

The growing 145-page thread on La Passion du Vin clearly shows that the long-term problems customers face with 1855 in getting their wines are now being experienced by people who order through Cave Privée. Cave Privée is now owned by 1855 and is managed by that genius – Fabien Hyon. 

Some customers do get their wine but it is frequently months late and meanwhile they get fobbed off with the same sort of lame excuses and unfulfilled promises that clients of 1855 experience. My guess is that some of the delays are due to producers either not wishing to deal with the crooks that run 1855 and Cave Privée or not being paid and therefore not supplying Fabien Hyon and Emeric Sauty de Chalon with wine.

The advice given by a number of La Passion du Vin posters not to deal with Cave Privée is surely wise and eminently sensible.   

1855 Assemblée Générale (AG): how long will Jean-Pierre Meyers continue to support these crooks?

The spirit of Charles Ponzi will be at 1855's Assemblée Générale today

1855 will hold its AGM for its shareholders today at the Hotel Ibis Ledru Rollin  close to the Gare du Lyon in Paris – starting time 10.30h.

It would be good to think that they will take this opportunity to demand that Emeric Sauty de Chalon and Fabien Hyon start running 1855 and its associated companies – Cavée Privée and Châteauonline – as proper businesses and cease to defraud their customers by failing to supply the wines, especially Bordeaux en primeur, ordered. That they will also ask how many hundreds of court cases 1855 is currently facing. 

Will they ask about the latest mention of 1855 in La Revue du Vin de France?

They might also ask these internet geniuses why share information for investors isn't updated. They manage to change to the date but not the share price nor the company valuation nor the number of shares. Come Fabien Hyon get yourself organised!

1855's version of their share price etc 0.07€ a share

 The reality: 0.04€ a share

I fancy the chances of the investors asking pressing questions are as probably as slim as the Bordelais, apart from a few honorable exceptions, having the courage to condemn 1855 and warn people not to deal with them. 

No my guess is that the most pressing concern for Emeric Sauty de Chalon, Fabien Hyon and the investors is how much longer will Jean-Pierre Meyers be prepared to support this scam. When will he decide that the damage his association with 1855  does to his reputation as one of France's most prominent businessmen is too great? What I wonder do Jean-Pierre Meyers' fellow directors at L'Oréal and Nestlé make of his support for 1855?    

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Emeric Sauty de Chalon's amended invitation to 1855 investors: 

'Batir la première arnaque mondiale dans la vente de grands vins'