FSMA Warning: Fake Bank CEO Interviews Used to Promote Fraudulent Trading Platforms

The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) of Belgium has issued an urgent warning to the public concerning the proliferation of fraudulent trading platforms. Scammers are actively luring consumers into sophisticated investment traps by promising unrealistic, rapid earnings starting from an initial deposit of just 250 euros. According to the regulatory alert, fraudsters have recently been deploying fake interviews featuring the images and identities of major bank CEOs and recognizable television presenters. In these fabricated interviews, the presenter critiques traditional bank interest rates and credits, claiming that individuals can achieve financial independence by investing in a supposedly revolutionary automated trading system. The FSMA emphasizes that these interviews are completely fabricated and designed solely to siphon funds from victims. Scammers rely on multiple channels to target potential victims, including fake celebrity advertisements, bogus websites designed for recruitment, fraudulent profiles on dating applications such as Tinder, Bumble, and Happn, as well as unsolicited invitations to private trading groups on WhatsApp and Telegram. Once an investor registers and makes an initial deposit, the operators of these fraudulent schemes often attempt to gain remote access to the victim's computer or mobile device under the guise of assisting with transactions. This tactic enables them to install spyware or malicious software. The trading interface then displays fabricated gains to convince the victim that the system is profitable, followed by aggressive pressure tactics—such as relentless phone calls and time-limited promotions—to demand larger sums of money. When victims attempt to withdraw their funds or claimed profits, the platforms refuse payouts, inventing excuses such as mandatory taxes or unexpected fees. In some instances, platforms operate as pyramid schemes before vanishing entirely with all invested capital. The FSMA identified several recruitment and lead-generation websites funneling victims to these schemes: Azaliumbit (azaliumbit.com), Beinveron (beinveron.com), Eminix Fintrion (eminix-fintrion.com), Impuls Crescente (impulscrescente.com), Ivelis Trade 7.2 (ivelistrade72.com), Juste Patrimòire (justepatrimoire.com, justepatrimoireai.com), Quantex Belgica (immediaterevolution360.nl, quantexbelgica.com, quantex-belgica.net), Riche Fondois (riche-fondois.com), Steen Luxeris (steen-luxeris.com, steenluxeris.net), Sterk Fundalis (sterkfundalis-be.com), Stevig Valtrion (500-intal.com, stevig-valtrion.com), Sûreté Valflux (surete-valflux.com), Vénitance (venitance.com, venitance-ai.com), and X Trade Grok 9.1 Nova (xtradegrok91-nova.com). Additionally, the FSMA strongly advises against dealing with the following unauthorized and fraudulent trading entities: 222-Trade, Alivio Finances, Arko Group, Aventor Partners, Axstera, CF Trading, CrystoVision, Eha Markets, Exodus AI, Exovate Markets, Fx-Ln, Genesisarbit, Globera-Fx, Grand Gate Agency, Infinity Max Edge, Innovate X Capital (Clone), Invest Capital World, Lotment Capital, MSF, NewRockwood, Nova Trade Core, NowWeTrade, Plustrade, Promorion Group, PrymexEnergy, Rockpoint Partners, SPO, Mttzoq, Suisse Equity, Swissquote (Clone), Sybbex Limited, TheGainForge, Volia Invest AG, and Yureplex. Investors who have interacted with any of these platforms are advised to cease all payments immediately and break off communication. Victims should notify their banking institutions, report the matter to law enforcement and the FSMA, and preserve all transaction receipts and communications. The FSMA also cautions victims to stay alert against recovery room scams, where secondary fraudsters offer to recover lost capital in exchange for upfront fees.