THE Department of Trade and Industry last night stepped in to force the winding up of controversial Internet firm eforyou.com

The Darlington company went into liquidation in May owing millions to investors across the country.

Pressure had been growing on the Government to launch an inquiry into eforyou.com and its directors, who include founder Chris Douglas.

The Northern Echo has now discovered that the DTI has filed a petition in the High Court to compulsorily wind-up eforyou.com

If, as expected, the petition is granted, an official receiver will be appointed by the DTI to carry out a full-scale investigation of eforyou.com and its directors.

The DTI has the power to disqualify officers of the company from holding future directorships for up to 15 years. It could even consider criminal proceedings if any evidence of fraud is found.

The dot com company, which claimed to offer web site solutions to businesses, was already being investigated by trading standards officials who had received complaints about its practices. The company promised agents who signed up to sell its products that they would make £25,000 a year from only two hours work a week.

Darlington solicitor Mark Gardner, who represents an eforyou.com creditor, had called for the DTI to carry out a full investigation as a "matter of urgency". Last night, he said: "Creditors have been pushing for a full and detailed inquiry into the affairs of this company and officers.

"The official receiver should be able to deliver this and creditors will also be able to choose their own liquidator."