Trading scam
A trading scam promises high, risk-free returns to get you to deposit money on an unauthorised platform or into a fake investment.
The patterns repeat: a fake unregulated broker, an “adviser” who calls to make you deposit more, a miracle robot, a signals group with unverifiable results, a crypto investment showing fictitious gains until the day withdrawals become impossible.
Warning signs: guaranteed returns, pressure to act fast, unsolicited contact by phone or social media, a request to install remote-access software, fees to pay to unlock a withdrawal.
What to do: check the name against the FCA Warning List, ASIC's investor alert list or the CFTC's RED list, never share your login details, and report it to Action Fraud in the UK, Scamwatch in Australia or the CFTC in the US.