Report an
investment scam.
Fake trading platforms, Ponzi schemes, unregistered securities, and forex fraud collectively account for more dollar losses than any other scam category. If someone promised guaranteed returns, showed you fabricated profit charts, or pressured you into an "exclusive" investment opportunity that turned out to be fake, report the platform, company, and individuals here. Every report helps regulators identify and shut down these operations faster.
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How investment scams work and why losses are skyrocketing
Investment fraud is the most financially devastating scam category tracked by the FBI, with reported losses hitting $4.57 billion in 2023 — a 53% increase over the prior year. The explosion is driven largely by fake cryptocurrency trading platforms, but traditional Ponzi schemes, unregistered securities, and forex fraud remain significant. What these scams share is a common playbook: promise extraordinary returns, show fabricated evidence it's working, then disappear with the money.
Modern investment scams are alarmingly sophisticated. Fake trading platforms feature real-time price charts pulled from legitimate exchanges, professional interfaces, mobile apps with high ratings (often boosted by fake reviews), and customer support chat. Some even have fake "regulatory" badges claiming SEC or FCA registration. The victim creates an account, deposits funds, and watches their "balance" grow — not realizing that every number on screen is fabricated. The money went straight to the scammer the moment it was deposited.
The withdrawal trap
The moment of truth comes when you try to withdraw. Suddenly there's a 20% "tax" you must pay before funds can be released. Then an "anti-money laundering fee." Then a "security deposit." Each fee is calculated to seem reasonable relative to the large balance you believe you're about to receive. Victims often pay multiple rounds of fees — sometimes totaling more than their original investment — before realizing no money is ever coming back. The platform then goes dark or the "support team" becomes unreachable.
How to verify before you invest
Before investing with any platform or individual, check the SEC's EDGAR database (sec.gov) and FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org) for registration. Unregistered investment opportunities are illegal in most cases. Google the platform name followed by "scam" or "review." Check if the company has a verifiable physical address, real employees with LinkedIn profiles, and audited financial statements. If someone recruited you through social media, that's a red flag by itself — legitimate investment firms don't cold-DM strangers on Instagram.
If you've lost money to an investment scam, document everything — screenshots of the platform, transaction records, communication with the recruiter, and any promotional materials. This evidence is critical for regulatory investigations.
Where else to report investment scams
Investment fraud falls under multiple regulators — report to all that apply:
- →SEC — sec.gov/tcr — for securities fraud and unregistered investments
- →CFTC — cftc.gov/complaint — for forex, crypto, and commodity fraud
- →FBI IC3 — ic3.gov — for all investment fraud, especially large losses
- →FINRA — finra.org/investors/have-problem — for broker misconduct
Related scam types
Scammers often combine tactics. If this looks familiar, check these too: