TLDR
Scammer clones a real FCA authorised firm's branding (e.g. Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell, Aviva), copies the FRN onto a fraudulent website offering 8 12% fixed bonds or 'green energy ISA'. Action Fraud + FCA warn this caused £612M UK...
How it works
Scammer clones a real FCA authorised firm's branding (e.g. Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell, Aviva), copies the FRN onto a fraudulent website offering 8 12% fixed bonds or 'green energy ISA'. Action Fraud + FCA warn this caused £612M UK...
Red flags
- Urgent pressure to click, pay, or share codes immediately.
- A link or sender that does not match the official organization.
- Requests for card data, passwords, OTPs, wallet signatures, or bank transfers.
What to do
- 1IF VICTIM: report to Action Fraud + FCA at fca.org.uk/consumers/report scam unauthorised firm, request bank APP fraud reimbursement under PSR mandatory reimbursement (effective Oct 2024).
Source
UK-Action-Fraud
Source reviewed by Mythos Forensic Team
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/investment-fraudFAQ
Is FCA clone firm — fake bond / crypto investment (UK) a real scam pattern?
Yes. Treat the message, call, or payment request as suspicious until you verify it through an official channel.
What are the first warning signs?
Urgent pressure to click, pay, or share codes immediately.; A link or sender that does not match the official organization.; Requests for card data, passwords, OTPs, wallet signatures, or bank transfers.
What should I do first?
IF VICTIM: report to Action Fraud + FCA at fca.org.uk/consumers/report scam unauthorised firm, request bank APP fraud reimbursement under PSR mandatory reimbursement (effective Oct 2024).
Can LegalAudit check my case?
Yes. Start a free chat and paste the message, link, sender, or payment details for triage.