Page last updated: 15 March 2023

Warnings and alerts

This list contains the names of businesses or individuals you should be wary of if you are planning to invest. The list is not exhaustive and there is no guarantee that the business or individual listed has not changed their name.

This list contains the names of businesses or individuals you should be wary of if you are planning to invest. The list is not exhaustive and there is no guarantee that the business or individual listed has not changed their name.

Before you invest, we recommend that you take steps to protect yourself from being scammed and check the provider is listed on the Financial Service Providers register (FSPR). The FSPR can help you:

  • obtain a business address
  • see the types of financial services the registered company, or individual, provides to customers. Some examples include; money transfers, investment management or financial advice 
  • see any licences or an authorisation status that the company or individual may have
  • see what dispute resolution scheme they belong to.

You may also wish to refer to the IOSCO investor alert list for international scam alerts.

Person who was scammed

Search Results

Found 489 results. Displaying page 4 of 33

  1. Imposter website

    15 September 2022

    Investor alert: Octavus Trade Limited is not registered in New Zealand

    WARNING: Investors should exercise caution when dealing with Octavus Trade Limited and octavus.trade (the website). Octavus Trade Limited is not a registered financial service provider in New Zealand. The website contains a forged New Zealand company Certificate of Incorporation and AMI Certificate of Insurance. It claims to offer investment returns which appear to be unrealistically high.
  2. Imposter website
    Suspected scam

    10 August 2022

    bbcapital.com falsely using Black Bull Group identity

    FMA are concerned that https://bbcapitalmarket.com/ is operating a scam and falsely using the name of a New Zealand registered and licensed entity - Black Bull Group Limited (NZBN: 9429041417799) T/A Blackbull Markets. Black Bull Group Limited has advised the FMA that they are not associated with https://bbcapitalmarket.com/.
  3. Suspected scam

    10 August 2022

    Investor alert: VHNX is not licensed to offer derivative trading services in New Zealand

    WARNING: FMA is concerned that the website vhnx.com may be operating a scam. We have received reports that representatives from VHNX are cold-calling New Zealand residents with investment offers when it is not authorised to do so. We have also received reports of people being unable to withdraw their funds.
  4. Suspected scam
    International regulator alerts

    2 August 2022

    Warning: crypto trader, Global Ventures withholding funds

    WARNING: FMA is concerned that Global Venture may be involved in a scam. We have received a complaint from a New Zealand resident who was contacted by Global Venture, through WhatsApp, to trade in cryptocurrencies through their trading platform. Global Venture is unreasonably withholding the complainant’s funds and is requesting further funds to enable a withdrawal.
  5. 2 August 2022

    Investors take note: information on Apex Capital Holdings website is misleading

    WARNING: The FMA is concerned that Apex Capital Holdings may be operating a scam. Their website contains information that is misleading and may give investors a false impression of their activities.
    Apex Capital Holdings is not a registered New Zealand company and is not registered to provide financial products or services to New Zealand residents.
  6. 27 July 2022

    Warning: New Zealanders receiving unsolicited contact from Quantree Investment representatives

    FMA received a report of New Zealand residents receiving unsolicited contact from Quantree Investment representatives with an offer to purchase shares in Mobileye via an Initial Public Offering (IPO). We are concerned that Quantree Investment may be involved in a scam.