Cobra Group (company)
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| Private | |
| Industry | Marketing |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founders | Danny Rae and Chris Niarchos Founder and Chairman |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong, Hong Kong |
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Area served
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Global |
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Key people
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Paul Sanderson, CEO |
| Products | Multi-level marketing |
| Subsidiaries | Tawkr |
| Website | www |
The Cobra Group is a controversial door-to-door selling and marketing company headquartered in Hong Kong. Investigations by the media have found that the company promises much larger compensation rates than employees actually receive as commission-only, self-employed workers. It is also criticised for being cult, scam and pyramid scheme.
The company has an affiliate network of legally independent sales companies in 25 countries throughout Europe and Asia. The Cobra Group's subsidiaries represent firms in industries such as telecommunications, home security, energy and financial services. The group is also contracted by some charitable organisations to collect donations.
Common criticism of companies of Cobra Group are cult, exploiting workers, scam and pyramid scheme. Affiliated company Appco responded to the criticism on the official site.
A Zimbabwean woman won a legal case against a Cobra Group affiliate for unfair treatment in the workplace. She was awarded €5000 in compensation for "harassment and discriminatory treatment" and €45000 for discriminatory dismissal. The main argument the company used in defending its case was that the worker in question had been a self-employed sole trader and not actually an employee of his company. Prior to the dismissal the worker in question had been lauded as the highest fundraiser within Boss Worldwide Promotions Ltd.
An investigation by the media found that one of The Cobra Group's subsidiaries, The Coulson Organization, which collects charity for the Red Cross among others, has charity collectors take down private financial information without vetting the staff. The company said they ask recruits to detail any criminal histories. The investigative journalist said they were given a badge that indicates they had been vetted, though they had never provided any identification. The journalist was told she would make 35 pounds per sale, but was only actually paid half, unless the donor agreed to make continual donations for six months.
The BBC investigation led the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Energy Select Committee to release a report threatening to ban energy companies from using direct sales. Video footage showed Cobra Group contracted companies lying to potential customers.
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Wikipedia