I meet Bernard O'Brien in the late 90's but he was trading as "Queensland Enterprises Initiatives". I did the usual checks with ASIC to see if it was registered etc, Everything checked out OK other than there had been a few company name changes since then... if only I knew back then!!! I'm not surprised that he is trading yet again under another company name.
My story is the same as the other victims of his deceit and fraudulent activities.. The same process ie: initial assessment of the product/idea... all the stages to get the project off the ground etc. Only, I met with him and he had set up an office in Brisbane... very professional, had a dossier of people the company board ranging from judges to ceo of large companies. At that time he was also stating that he was a barrister with a law degree...
I did what I thought was thorough research and contacted a few of these so called professional people who vouched for Bernard (I now know they were bogus). I handed over $15,000 (aust) and got nothing in return but empty promises. He pressed me for more money but I refused and said I actually owed him money !!! if I didn't pay he would take legal action. I stopped communicating after that and heard no more from him.
He did however give my idea to someone else... where the product with very similar designs if not exact was published in the newspaper! So much for the confidentiality agreement!!. Apart from myself being ripped off I know off 2 people that he employed who thought that they had come to work for a progressive company that was legitimate in helping people see their idea / invention get off the ground. One staff member left with Bernard owing them $30,000 in wages!!! He not only rips off the client but the people he employs.
I now see he has changed the company name (again!) and no longer using his name as the chairman of the company. I can't believe that he has ripped off so many people... with the internet now he's gone abroard where it's harder for people to check him out BUT the internet can also be used in our favour by exposing this parasite to many people that may enter into discussions. Thanks to those others who have written their story... lets hope he gets what he deserves!
Susan
brisbane
Australia
0 comments