13 May 2024

Fake Celebrity Investment Scam – Multiple trading platforms

The FMA has received several reports regarding fake celebrity endorsement advertisements on social media, promoting online investment schemes.

We have identified multiple websites that are part of this scam but believe there may be more connected as they frequently change.

We are aware of several New Zealanders who have invested through these websites and are now unable to withdraw funds, with additional fees requested before allowing withdrawals. 

How the scam works:

  1. The scammer creates an advertisement on a social media platform featuring a deepfake video of an interview with a celebrity or a fake news article, appearing to be from a reputable New Zealand media platform. The ad usually includes the image of a New Zealand celebrity with an attention-grabbing headline. The ad does not at first glance appear to be about investing.

  2. Clicking on this ad leads to a fake news article on an imposter website designed to look like a reputable New Zealand news platform. This article describes an interview with the celebrity where they discuss making big profits using a certain investment platform. 

  3. The article contains a link to the website of an investment platform – often trading cryptocurrencies or foreign exchange – where people are asked to register for an account and provide contact details.   

  4. After providing this information, a call is received from someone claiming to be a broker or a financial adviser instructing the person to make a payment of $250 USD or €250. 

  5. They may instruct the person to download remote access software such as “AnyDesk” so the fake adviser can “help” with the investments.

  6. The scammer will transfer “profits” to the victim’s bank account giving a false impression of legitimacy. 

  7. Instructions are then made to make higher investments, and dashboards are provided tracking these apparent investments.

  8. When the victim asks to withdraw funds, they are told they must first pay a high fee to release the money. But even if these fees are paid, no money is returned.

The FMA recommends extreme caution when engaging with social media advertising using the image of celebrities to promote investment opportunities.  

If you come across these ads, do not click on them and don’t give them your personal information.  

What to do if you think you have been scammed:

  1. Stop all contact with the scammer and do not send any money.

  2. Contact your bank immediately. Ask if a transaction reversal is possible. If you sent money using another payment service provider, ask them to trace the funds.  

  3. If you have downloaded remote access software on the instructions of the scammers, immediately contact an IT professional to have your device checked for malware. If you have accessed your bank account or other payment systems while the remote access software was operating on your device, report this to the relevant account providers.  

  4. If you keep getting phone calls from scammers, report them to your telecommunications provider.  

  5. If you are getting spam emails and text messages, report these to the Department of Internal Affairs here: Spam-Report-Spam - dia.govt.nz

  6. Tell a trusted relative or friend what has happened. They may help you see the situation more clearly, help you deal with the scammers, and suggest what to do next. 

  7. Contact Victim Support on 0800 842 846 or visit their website. They can provide free emotional and practical support and information.  

Entity Name Website Email Address Phone Date added to warning
Wealth Vision

my.wealth-vision.net;

wealth-vision.net

[email protected]

+61386580717;

+61386574536;

+61391139127;

+6478084074

20 August 2025
Štedo Quin

gleamingbandjailkey.com;

mercifulkissvein.com

   

15 August 2025

Updated 20 August 2025

Aitechcode aitechcode.com [email protected]   2 July 2025
SuperSwiss superswiss.com

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected]

                                                             4 June 2025
                                                                           zenithfx.co [email protected]

+41449746509;

+41449746144

4 June 2025
  samuelespissu.com     9 April 2025
Bankefex Bankefex.com     11 February 2025
Globally InvestMarket Rocks globally-invest.comarketrocks.com [email protected]@marketrocks.com   8 November 2024

Solid Return;

Immediate Vortex

ksephand.info;

hln-dagelijks.com

    24 October 2024

Magnify Group;

Wt4u;

Scholarcloset;

WFMInternational;

Trade Avapro;

magnifygroup.com;

platform.magnifygroup.online;

wt4u.coscholarcloset.academy;

wfminternational.vip;

roctunit.info

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected]

  18 October 2024
FXOppen fxoppen.co

[email protected];

[email protected]

  3 September 2024

SFM Capitals;

MCJ Invest;

BTN Centre;

Fintrends

sfmcapitals.com;

mcjinvest.com;

platform.tradecentreai.com;

fintrends.org

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected]

  9 August 2024
AI Assets ai-assets.ltd

[email protected];

[email protected]

+44 7851 007850;

+44 7418 354884;

+44 7418 358832.

11 July 2024
  canadiancapitalmarkets.com     3 July 2024
Globally Invest globally-invest.io

[email protected];

[email protected].

  11 June 2024

Bitcore Momentum;

Global Connect 24;

Trade212;

Blue Holdings

bitcoremomentum.com;

globalconnect24.net;

trade212.io;

blueholdings.vip

[email protected]

+31 6 13690309;

+64 20 496 474;

+31 6 57432176

5 June 2024
Ultimate Traders ultimate-traders.com

[email protected],

[email protected]

  21 May 2024

Trade212;

Trade101;

CG Markets;

Schwabeu Investing;

LPL Investing;

Capita Gains;

Precision Trade

trade212.ai;

trade101.ai;

cg-markets.com;

schwabeuinvesting.com;

lplinvesting.com;

capitagains.com;

precisiontrade.io

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected];

[email protected]

[email protected];

[email protected]

+4489037465;

+44123456789;

+442081575658;

+448449869954;

+441212695452;

+447735619583;

+61290716130;

+442070978282;

+442081575658;

+61282798643;

0214375719;

027104464119

13 May 2024