Fake Investment and Trading Platforms
Summary
Why is this warning issued?
This warning was included because it is based on a report from BaFin – Consumer Warnings. It is intended to protect other users from this type of fraud. The classified risk is high.
How the scam works
- Unknown operators create a professional-looking website for an alleged trading or investment platform.
- They claim to be supervised by BaFin, or use the name of a real foreign company to build trust.
- They offer trading in securities, forex, commodities or crypto assets – without the required authorization.
- Consumers are lured to the platform via advertising, email or social media and deposit money.
- Initial profits or small withdrawals are shown to encourage victims to make further deposits.
- Once larger amounts have been deposited, withdrawals are refused or the platform disappears completely.
How to recognise it
- The platform claims to be supervised by BaFin, but is not.
- The name of a reputable foreign company (e.g., from the UK or Switzerland) is used without permission (identity misuse).
- The platform offers trading in forex, stocks, commodities or crypto assets without the corresponding authorization.
- The operators are unknown or cannot be clearly identified.
- The internet address appears unreliable or was only recently registered.
- High returns or guaranteed profits are promised.
- Guaranteed / above-average returns
- Pressure to pay in more money quickly
How to protect yourself
- Always check in the BaFin database whether a provider is registered or authorized there.
- Distrust any claim that a platform is supervised by BaFin – verify this yourself.
- Secure all evidence: screenshots of the website, chat histories, payment receipts, emails.
- If in doubt, contact the consumer protection agency and file a report with the police.
- Regularly check your account activity and contact your bank immediately in case of unauthorized debits.
- Do not engage with unreliable 'recovery' offers that supposedly return lost money – these are often new scams.
What you should never do
- Do not transfer money to a platform whose authorization you have not verified beyond doubt.
- Do not provide ID documents, account or card details to unknown platforms.
- Do not let yourself be pressured by time pressure, supposedly 'exclusive' opportunities or high return promises.
- Do not respond to supposed 'recovery' offers from people who claim they can save your lost money.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay if I have supposedly 'won' money on such a platform?
No. Such platforms are not authorized. If you have actually deposited money, it is probably lost. Do not try to pay supposed 'profits' or 'fees' to release them – this is usually another scam.
How can I check whether a trading platform is authorized by BaFin?
In the 'BaFin-Konzerndatenbank' database you can search for authorized companies. If the provider is missing there, it is not authorized.
I have already transferred money – what can I do?
Secure all evidence, contact your bank immediately to attempt a chargeback, and file a report with the police. Also seek advice from a consumer protection agency.
Where did the scammers get my data?
This often cannot be determined exactly. Data leaks, publicly accessible profiles or purchased address lists are possible sources. However, you bear no blame for this.
Someone is offering to recover my lost money – is this legitimate?
BaFin expressly warns against such 'recovery' offers. They often involve the same or another scam. Do not spend any more money and inform the police.
Affected data
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Original source
Find more information in the original source.
BaFin – Verbraucherwarnungen ↗Update history
- 22/07/2026Description updated, Characteristics added