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21 November 2025

Recovery scam targeting New Zealand investors

We have seen an increase in recovery scams aimed at people who have previously lost money to investment scams.

How these scams work:

  • Victims are approached after losing funds in an earlier scam.
  • Scammers often claim to represent a government agency or a legitimate recovery firm that allegedly offers recovery services;
  • They may say they have recovered the victim’s lost funds or their previous investment has increased in value. 
  • Victims are then offered the chance to access the recovered funds or sell previous investment at the increased value.
  • Before releasing any funds, scammers demand upfront payments for supposed fees, taxes, or levies;
  • Once payments stop, the scammers cut off contact, and no funds are ever returned.

How to protect yourself from these scams

  1. If someone claims to represent a government agency or regulator, verify their identity by contacting the agency directly using official contact details, not those provided by the person;

  2. Report suspicious claims or suspected recovery scams to the FMA via our Report a Scam page.

  3. Avoid paying money to anyone claiming they can or have recovered your funds. Recovery scams are often disguised as ‘advance fee’ scams.

  4. Discuss any recovery offer with a trusted friend, family member, or professional. A second opinion can help identify red flags.

See below fraudulent entities/websites we have identified that are associated to this type of scams. 

Entity Name

Website

Email

Phone

Date added to warning

CertiK (Imposter)

-

[email protected]

+1 747-370-2985;

+44 7741 648788

3 February 2026

Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, BfDI (Imposter)

-

[email protected]

 

3 February 2026

Financial Conduct Authority (Imposter)

fca.market

[email protected]

+44 7510 713164

2 February 2026

Prime Defender Group

-

[email protected]

-

21 January 2026

Fraud Advisory Panel (Imposter)

-

[email protected]

[email protected]

-

24 December 2025

Public Treasury

publictreasury.co.uk

[email protected]
[email protected]

+44 208 068 0701

10 December 2025

Global Monetary Security

-

-

09 802 0882

21 November 2025

Continental Acquisitions Inc. (Imposter)

continentalacq.com

 

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

+1 (929) 401-0225

 

21 November 2025

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