WILLEMSTAD, LONDON – A UK resident has filed a series of complaints alleging fraudulent charges and data protection violations by a company connected to the domain names trnd.be and trnd.bm, which may have ties to Curaçao’s digital commerce or gaming sector. The matter has now attracted the attention of multiple European regulatory bodies and could raise questions about offshore consumer protection practices.
Janet McColl, a British citizen, began contacting the company in early June 2025 after discovering a series of unauthorized transactions on her bank account. Despite repeated requests for clarification and refunds, she alleges that the company failed to verify her jurisdiction at the time of registration or inform her of any territorial restrictions — information only made known after her deposits were accepted.
“Your refusal to issue a refund, despite your platform’s failure to enforce its own jurisdictional restrictions, is unacceptable,” McColl wrote in one of many emails reviewed by Curaçao Chronicle.
The dispute, which appears to involve a digital services platform, possibly in crypto payments or online gaming, has now escalated to international dimensions. McColl has threatened and, in some cases, already proceeded to report the case to:
EUROPOL
AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Authority)
UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Interpol
National gambling and consumer protection authorities
Crypto payment processors and watchdog groups
McColl also warned that she would be publishing her experience publicly, including on platforms such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and other digital watchdog forums if the issue remains unresolved.
In her emails, she cites potential violations of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and non-refoulement consumer rights, arguing that retroactively applying terms and conditions after accepting funds constitutes deceptive and negligent practice.
The company, which uses Curaçao-related email domains and appears to operate internationally, responded only minimally — often citing delays or asking for transaction details without confirming a refund or acknowledging any wrongdoing.
Concerns Over Regulatory Oversight
While there is no direct confirmation that the entity operates from Curaçao, the use of ".bm" and correspondence patterns suggest possible offshore operations, potentially under Curaçao’s e-commerce or gambling license structures. If proven, the case may reinforce international concerns regarding lack of consumer recourse for non-residents using platforms based in or associated with Curaçao.
This is not the first time Curaçao-based domains have been linked to complaints from European users over consumer rights and jurisdictional enforcement. The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has in recent years moved to reform the sector, especially as the island transitions to a centralized licensing model under the new LOK legislation.
As of publication, no formal statement has been released by the company or local authorities regarding the accusations. Curaçao Chronicle will continue monitoring this story as it develops.
