A Dutch court will today hear allegations that World Online, its
former chairwoman, Nina Brink, and its bankers, ABN Amro, broke
Dutch securities regulations when the ISP floated on the Amsterdam
stock market.
The class action is being brought by Dutch lawyer Bob van der
Goen on behalf of 1,000 people who bought shares in the company
when floated earlier this year. Van der Goen argues that
shareholders were misled in the prospectus for the initial public
offering (IPO) over the nature of the ISP’s business. He is
demanding answers to numerous questions surrounding the floatation,
with a view to recovering damages for the losses of investors and
ultimately hopes “to declare the IPO null and void.”
World Online floated on 17th March but the shares fell sharply
following allegations that the founder, Nina Brink, sold two thirds
of her stake in the company in advance without declaring her sale.
It has also been revealed that Brink was involved in several
companies which face bankruptcy proceedings.
Ms Brink has been forced to resign following the outcry.
