All scam alerts
Public scam alert
FSMA Alert: Fraudulent Trading Platforms and Data Harvesting Schemes Exposed
Belgium's FSMA warns the public about deceptive online trading schemes that harvest personal data via social media and details an extensive list of fraudulent trading websites.
Pause before you respond
Do not send money, disclose credentials, or use contact details supplied in an unsolicited message. Verify the organisation independently.
The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) of Belgium has issued a warning regarding fraudulent online trading platforms and the deceptive tactics operators use to capture personal information and defraud investors.
According to the financial regulator, most investment scams originate on social media networks. Deceptive advertisements frequently promise risk-free, rapid wealth through automated trading tools, artificial intelligence apps, or investment training courses. Users who click on these ads are directed to promotional websites featuring contact forms.
Once an individual enters their contact details, the scam follows a predictable pattern:
1. Initial Contact: Within minutes of submitting details, victims receive a phone call from a supposed "expert" who guides them through initial deposit payments.
2. Building Trust: The victim is introduced to an assigned "trader" who assists in setting up an account on an online trading platform. This individual works to gain the victim's trust and encourages larger financial commitments.
3. Simulated Profits: The platform displays fabricated, rapidly escalating profits to convince the victim of the operation's legitimacy. In some instances, small initial withdrawals are permitted to reduce suspicion.
4. Withdrawal Blockades and Demands: When investors attempt to withdraw significant funds, the operators fabricate obstacles, requiring payment for unexpected taxes, insurance, or administrative fees.
5. Harassment and Loss: When investors question these demands or decline further payments, representatives often become hostile, threatening, or unresponsive, resulting in total loss of the invested capital.
The FSMA identified multiple websites and domains that victims reported using prior to being targeted by fraudulent trading schemes:
- Bit 2.0 Urex (the-bit2urex.com, bit2urex.com)
- Bitcoin 360 Ai (bitcoin360ai.com, bit-indexai.com, the-bitcoin360-ai.com, bitcoin-360-ai.org)
- Bitcoin Bot (bitcoin-bot.app, bitcoin-bot-pro.com)
- BitiCodes (biticodes.com, the-biticodes.com, biticodes-app.com)
- Bitindex Prime (bitprime-gold.com, bitindexprime.org, bitindexprime.com, bit-indexprime.app, bit-indexprime.com, thebitindex-prime-app.com, thebitindex-prime.com)
- BitIQ (bitiq.app, bit-iq.co, bitiq.org, bitqt-app.net, bitiq.live, bitiqapp.com)
- Bitsoft 360 (bitsoft360.com)
- Granimator (granimator.live)
- Immediate Connect (immediateconnect.net, immediate-connect.app, immediateconnect.ai)
- Immediate Momentum (immediate-momentum.com, immediate-momentum.io)
- Markets trends education (markettrends.education)
- Oil (Pro) Profit (oilproprofit.com, oil-profit.app)
- Professor PIPS (professorpips.academy)
- ProMarket (promarket.academy)
- Quantum Prime Profit (quantum-prime-profit.com)
- Trade 2.0 Intal (500tradeintal.app, 500intal.trade)
- University4Traders (university4traders.com)
The regulator advises anyone who suspects they have been targeted or defrauded by these entities to contact the FSMA directly via its official consumer channels and report the matter to local police or judicial authorities.