King, Curtis B

The Tribunal was asked to consider a prohibition against Mr Curtis Brempong King pursuant to paragraph 4.8.2(g) of the 13^th Edition of the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice (the “Code”).

The case related to adjudications against the Level 2 providers (the “Level 2 providers”) New Business Start-Up LTD (formerly known as BKings Group Limited and BKings Telecommunications Limited) and Total Recruitment Consultancy Limited (28 May 2015, case references: 45162 and 48460 respectively), which concerned breaches of the sanctions imposed by an earlier Tribunal (13 November 2014, case references 45162 and 48460 respectively) and non-payment of the associated administrative charges. The cases on 13 November 2014 concerned recruitment and recruitment training and advice services operated by the Level 2 providers (the “Services”).  Among other issues, the Services were found to have been operated in a way which misled consumers, and the promotions for the Services omitted key information.

On 28 May 2015, the Tribunal instructed the Executive to initiate the process which may lead to the prohibition of Mr Curtis King pursuant to paragraph 4.8.2(g) of the Code. 

At the hearing on 20 August 2015, the Tribunal concluded that Mr Curtis King was an individual associated with both Level 2 providers who had been knowingly involved in a series of serious and very serious breaches of the Code. 

Taking into account all the circumstances, the Tribunal prohibited Mr King from providing, or having any involvement in, any premium rate service for a period of three years from the date of publication of this decision.

Administrative charge recommendation: 100%