What to do if you have been cheated by a Forex broker
Barry Copeland
10 / May / 24
Visitors: 13
If you are a victim of a Forex market scam, your first thought is probably: What do I do now? Recognizing that you have been a victim of Forex broker fraud is a difficult first step toward a possible solution. We will look at some scenarios that may apply to your situation. We will also outline some possible actions you can take if you suspect you have been a victim of Forex broker fraud, and provide some helpful tips to protect yourself from Forex broker fraud in the future.
Since the Forex industry has been around for quite some time, Forex fraud cases are not new. Here are some top tips on what to do if you have been scammed by an illegal Forex broker or a fraudulent Forex dealer.
Avoid sending money further
Scammers will do everything they can to manipulate you, and will continue to do so even if you have already lost money to their scam. If you have reason to suspect that you have been scammed, stay calm, stop the flow of funds, and start looking for ways to get your money back.
Gather as much information as you can
If you suspect you've been a victim of fraud, gather as much detailed information as possible about the agent, the people you've spoken with, and the specifics of the alleged fraud.
Start documenting this information:
- Websites, platforms, documents and terms and conditions offered;
- Communications - emails, text messages, etc;
- Names of all representatives you have communicated with and all email addresses and phone numbers;
- Addresses and country where the scam took place.
Scammers may use fake names, addresses and photos. They can also impersonate real brands 6and real people.
Hire a professional
Depending on the amount of money invested, it may be worth hiring an attorney, such as a private investigator or securities lawyer. But in many cases, this strategy may not be cost-effective. For example, if the currency scam is being conducted in another country, the cost of hiring and prosecuting an attorney may be prohibitive.
Identify the type of currency fraud
There are many common types of Forex market scams, and it is important to determine exactly how you are being scammed. Is it an unregulated Forex broker? Or is it a clone company that has created a fraudulent website that mimics a real broker? Have you been scammed by an influencer or social media impersonator? Learn more about the most common types of fraud in the Forex industry.
Report the fraud to the appropriate authorities
If you've exhausted all of the above methods, the next step is to contact the relevant authorities, although they won't always be able to help you. For example, if you are in the UK and suspect that you have been defrauded by a Forex broker in another country, it is unlikely that the UK police or the Financial Markets Authority will be able to help you. However, it is important to provide the authorities with all the information you have gathered to increase the chances that the investigation will be more fruitful.
How to make a complaint and/or report Forex market scams
If you are unable to resolve your complaint or grievance directly with the broker, you can complain to your local regulatory body. Below are helpful resources for filing a complaint with first tier regulators:
- Australia: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC);
- Canada: Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) (formerly IIROC);
- Hong Kong: Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC);
- Europe: European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA);
- Japan: Japan Financial Services Authority (JFSA);
- Singapore: Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS);
- New Zealand: Financial Markets Authority (FMA);
- Switzerland: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA);
- United Kingdom (U.K.): Financial Conduct Authority (FCA);
- United States of America (U.S.): U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
If you are a U.S. resident and believe you have been defrauded by a fraudulent Forex broker in the U.S., you can contact the FBI, as wire fraud is a federal crime (including other internet crimes). You can also contact an attorney to file a Forex trading fraud complaint with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a securities fraud complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In some cases, IC3's (RAT) can help trace and freeze the funds that fraudsters have taken from consumers.
Can I get my money back
Although technically possible, it is extremely rare for traders to get a refund after being scammed by a fraudulent Forex broker. If you have been a victim of Forex market fraud, your refund will depend on your specific circumstances (e.g. your location and the regulator in your country) and the circumstances of the potentially fraudulent Forex broker (e.g. the location of the alleged fraudster and applicable laws and regulations). In any event, you should try to explore all available options for refunds before taking potentially costly legal action.
Recovering funds after fraud
After experiencing a financial scam or fraudulent investment from an unscrupulous broker, you may need time to recover - financially, mentally and emotionally. If you decide to start trading Forex again, take your time, do plenty of research and make sure you only use reliable, well-established and strictly regulated financial institutions.
Whether you have fallen victim to scammers or are just starting your Forex trading journey, here are some important questions to ask when choosing a Forex broker or financial institution:
1. Where is the company's headquarters located?
2. What is the official website of the company? Is it possible to verify the accuracy of the information on the website?
3. How long has the company been in operation?
4. How many international organizations are associated with this brand and which one will I deal with? Is there a parent company available?
5. Does the organization managing my account have the appropriate credentials? If so, which authority (or authorities) has issued a license to the company?
6. Will a representative contact me directly using the official e-mail address of the company with the domain name?
To summarize, we can say that getting on the hook to a fraudster is not the most pleasant thing that can happen to you and unfortunately the process of restoring your finances can take a lot of time and effort, but this is not a reason to give up. Your persistence will definitely give its result and improve your situation.
