share certificate

[emkay0145]

Is it possible to buy shares & be issued with a share certificate before a company is floated?

[dzug2]

Yes it might be possible. If the company exists and has shares that are not listed on any stock exchange you can buy its shares from it or another shareholder willing to sell.

The company can then be floated on the stock exchange and more shares issued.

But is that what you had in mind? Your question is rather vague.

[emkay0145]

thank-you dzug2, think that answers my question.My husband has bought some shares in an unlisted American company which the broker says is about to float.I was worried it was a scam.

[dzug2]

It probably is unfortunately.

Selling shares in unlisted US companies is a classic boiler room scam

You pay way over the odds for them and even if they do float you as a foreigner cannot easily sell the shares due to US regulations