Investment fraud
Investment fraud can be sophisticated and convincing. You are not foolish for being targeted.
Immediate action
Stop any further payments and do not respond to requests for additional fees.
Overview
Fraudsters often clone genuine firms, use professional documentation and maintain contact over months. Checking the FCA register and the FCA Warning List is an important step.
Common warning signs
- Cold contact about an opportunity
- Returns that seem too good to be true
- Pressure to decide quickly
- Documents that copy a real firm's branding
What to do now
- 1Stop further payments
- 2Check the firm on the FCA register
- 3Contact your bank
- 4Keep all documents you were sent
Evidence to preserve
- Brochures and contracts
- Emails and call logs
- Bank statements
- Screenshots of any portal
Where to report
- Action Fraud
- The FCA, if a regulated firm was cloned or impersonated
- Your bank
Fraud Victim Support does not replace an official police report.
What happens next
We will help you set out a clear timeline and identify who to contact. We do not provide investment advice.
Optional legal support
A separate legal or complaints assessment may be an option in some cases, entirely at your choice.
You are never required to instruct AY-Legal in order to receive initial support.
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