Merimpex

One of several polish-foreign firms in Poland during the 1980s. Based in Poznań. Opened December 10, 1984. Released first copies of "Kolędy i pastorałki" by Gang Marcela before the Christmas season. 12 other titles followed in the first half of 1985. During the 1980s, Merimpex was later located in Canada and USA. In late 1989 the owner of "Merimpex" (Andrzej L.) who was living, at the time, in California, USA, registered the Foreign Enterprise "Merimpex" in Poznań, Poland. The company produced recordings of language courses that were very popular in Poland, but not limited to. In order to obtain finances for the purchase of cassette tapes, "Merimpex" offered holders of foreign currency accounts to deposit currencies with the company at a high interest rate. It was essentially a parabank activity. The possibility of high earnings tempted many people, some of whom entrusted the company with all their savings. However, the considerable profits obtained from the sale of recordings with courses did not go towards repaying the loans, but disappeared, probably going to foreign accounts. Officers of the former security apparatus were involved in the scandal. Andrzej L. claimed that he himself was a victim of fraud, he was even kidnapped and received threats (for this reason he decided not to return to Poland). Several investigations were conducted in the case, and in 1997 a verdict was reached regarding the misappropriation of at least half a million dollars. Even before the trial ended, some of the heirs sold their rights to the land in Ławica near Poznań. This was related to satisfying the financial claims of people harmed by "Merimpex". Unofficially, it is said that the Wrocław businessman, purchasing the rights to land in Ławica from a group of heirs and creditors of the company, offered them at least several million dollars.