Understand the situation: Make sure it was a fraud, actually. Forex is a high-risk market; the account could be wiped out simply because of regular market volatility. Verify that the broker acted in an unlawful or unethical manner.
Gather evidence: Collect all evidence regarding communication with the broker, including correspondence, contracts, trading reports, and any other documents supporting your case.
Broker Contact: The first thing that you need to do is to contact your broker with your complaint. All the official and regulated brokers have dispute resolution procedures. Describe your problem and provide the evidence.
Market Regulators: If the broker is regulated, you should immediately inform regulatory authorities such as the FCA in the United Kingdom and CySEC in Cyprus. Such organizations may interfere in helping to resolve the issue.
Legal Action: If the problem is serious and you are not getting satisfaction either from the broker or the regulator, consider legal intervention. Call in a lawyer specializing in financial matters and the Forex market.
Public Attention: Sometimes posting your story on social media or financial forums can bring attention to your problem and put pressure on the broker.
Warning Others: You might want to consider writing reviews and sharing your experiences in relevant communities as a means of warning other traders.
Lessons to Learn for the Future: Learn from this experience, no matter how it may turn out. Be on the lookout for licensed and regulated brokers, understand the risks associated with Forex trading, and have a solid risk management plan in place.
Conclusion: It is not nice and frustrating to be cheated by a forex broker. However, these steps will facilitate your chances of recovering lost funds and bringing the culprits to book. You need to act as fast as possible and in an insightful manner while preserving evidence and documentation.
How to select Forex broker to avoid falling victim to fraudster
| Step | Description |
| 1. Forex Market | The trader should have a basic understanding of how the Forex market works and the risks involved in trading to make an informed decision when selecting a broker. |
| 2. Regulation | One of the key considerations when looking for a broker is its regulation. Ensure your selected broker is regulated and in good standing with authorities such as the FCA, CySEC, or ASIC. |
| 3. Reputation | Inquire about the broker’s reputation by studying other traders’ reviews and considering complaints or praise found on forums and specialized websites. |
| 4. Trading Conditions | Compare the trading conditions of different brokers, focusing on spreads, commissions, available tools and platforms, order execution quality, and transaction processing speed. |
| 5. Support Services | Good support services are crucial, especially for new traders. Check if the broker provides adequate and responsive customer support for any questions or problems. |
| 6. Demo Account | Try trading on a demo account first before investing real money to familiarize yourself with the broker’s platform and practice without the risk of losses. |
| 7. Deposit/Withdrawal Methods | Ensure the broker has convenient methods for account replenishment and fund withdrawal, and check the processing times and possible commissions. |
| 8. Other Factors | Consider factors such as the platform’s user interface, availability of mobile applications, bonus and promotion offers, and other features important to you. |
Choosing the right and a reliable Forex broker is actually a very important step for successful trading. Based on thorough research, take as much time as you need and don’t miss out on any details. Remember that the right broker reduces your risks and increases your chances of success in the Forex market.
How to check a forex broker’s license – forex scammer list
One of the most interesting metrics that may indicate reliability and honesty is a Forex broker’s license. Regulation means the broker obeys some rules and standards directed at the protection of traders’ interests. Very well, check a Forex broker’s license using the steps below:
| Step | Description |
| 1. Identify the Regulatory Authority | Check which regulatory authority has licensed the broker (e.g., FCA, CySEC, ASIC). A licensed broker is monitored by a regulatory body, providing guarantees for the protection of investments. |
| 2. Check the Broker’s Website | Examine the official website for licensing information, which is usually found in the company section or at the bottom of the homepage. |
| 3. Verification via the Regulator’s Website | Use the regulator’s official website to verify the broker’s license status via their search functionality. |
| 4. Conditions of License | Check for any restrictions or particular conditions related to the services offered or the broker’s areas of operation. |
| 5. Look for Updates and Warnings | Regularly check for updates and warnings from regulators about brokers who have violated rules or lost their licenses. |
| 6. Watch for Red Flags | Be cautious if a broker claims to be regulated but cannot provide specific licensing details or if the information does not match the regulator’s website. |
| 7. Customer Support | Never hesitate to ask questions about the broker’s license. A reputable broker will provide clear information and address any confusion. |
| 8. Forums and Reviews | Check trading forums for discussions and reviews, but interpret this information cautiously as it may provide additional context or highlight potential issues. |
Checking the license of a Forex broker is one more stage in finding a decent trading partner in the market. Never bypass this point and take your time to research profoundly. By investing time in license verification, you save your money and trading. You are protected.
Where to go if you are a scam forex broker
Introduction: Being scammed by a forex broker can result in frustration and devastation financially. Nonetheless, there is an opportunity to regain your funds or attempt to hold the broker accountable for their actions.
Evidence Gathering: Before you go to any place, ensure that you have gathered all your evidence. This will include correspondence with the broker, account statements, trading reports, among other documents that might be used in support of your case.
Reaching out to the Broker: Before approaching any external authorities, one must try and sort out the problem at a personal level with the broker. Compose a formal complaint letter and attach relevant evidence to it.
Regulatory Authorities: If the broker is regulated, contact the relevant regulatory authority. These may be bodies such as the
FCA
(UK),
CySEC
(Cyprus),
ASIC
(Australia) and others. They may offer a complaint resolution procedure or even conduct their own investigation. A complete list of government regulators in all countries of the world:
| Albania | Bank of Albania |
| Algeria | BankĀ of Algeria |
| Angola | NationalĀ Bank of Angola |
| Anguilla | FinancialĀ Services Commission |
| Argentina | CentralĀ Bank of Argentina |
| Armenia | CentralĀ Bank of Armenia |
| Aruba | CentralĀ Bank of Aruba |
| Australia | ReserveĀ Bank of Australia |
| AustralianĀ Prudential Regulation Authority | |
| Austria | NationalĀ Bank of the Republic of Austria |
| AustrianĀ Financial Market Authority | |
| Azerbaijan | TheĀ Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan |
| Bahamas | Central Bank of The Bahamas |
| Bahrain | Central Bank of Bahrain |
| Bangladesh | Bangladesh Bank |
| Barbados | Central Bank of Barbados |
| Belarus | National Bank of the Republic of Belarus |
| Belgium | National Bank of Belgium |
| Belize | Central Bank of Belize |
| Bermuda | Bermuda Monetary Authority |
| Bhutan | Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan |
| Bolivia | Central Bank of Bolivia |
| Financial System Supervision Authority | |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | BankingĀ Agency of Republika Srpska |
| BankingĀ Agency of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Botswana | BankĀ of Botswana |
| Brazil | CentralĀ Bank of Brazil |
| Brunei Darussalam | MonetaryĀ Authority of Brunei Darussalam |
| Bulgaria | BulgarianĀ National Bank |
| Burundi | BankĀ of the Republic of Burundi |
| Canada | OfficeĀ of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions |
| Cape Verde | BankĀ of Cape Verde |
| Cayman Islands | CaymanĀ Islands Monetary Authority |
| Central African Republic | CommissionĀ Bancaire de l’Afrique Centrale |
| Chile | BankingĀ and Financial Institutions Supervisory Agency |
| China | Ā The People’s Bank of China |
| ChinaĀ Banking Regulatory Commission | |
| Colombia | SuperintendenciaĀ Financiera de Colombia |
| Congo, the Democratic Republic of the | CentralĀ Bank of Congo |
| Cook Islands | FinancialĀ Supervisory Commission |
| Costa Rica | CentralĀ Bank of Costa Rica |
| General Superintendence of Financial Entities (SUGEF) | |
| Croatia | Croatian National Bank |
| Cuba | Central Bank of Cuba |
| Curacao | Central Bank of CuraƧao and Sint Maarten |
| Cyprus | Central Bank of Cyprus |
| Czech Republic | Czech National Bank |
| Denmark | DenmarkĀ Nationalbank |
| Danish Financial Supervisory Authority | |
| Dominican Republic | Superintendence of Banks |
| Ecuador | Superintendence of Banks |
| Egypt | Central Bank of Egypt |
| The Savior | Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador |
| Financial System Superintendence | |
| Estonia | Bank of Estonia |
| Estonian Financial Supervision Authority | |
| Swatini | The Central Bank of Swaziland |
| Ethiopia | National Bank of Ethiopia |
| Fiji | Reserve Bank of Fiji |
| Finland | Bank of Finland |
| Financial Supervisory Authority | |
| France | Autorité de ContrÓle Prudentiel et de Résolution |
| Gambia, The | CentralĀ Bank of The Gambia |
| Georgia | NationalĀ Bank of Georgia |
| Germany | DeutscheĀ Bundesbank |
| FederalĀ Financial Supervisory Authority | |
| Ghana | BankĀ of Ghana |
| Gibraltar | FinancialĀ Services Commission |
| Greece | BankĀ of Greece |
| Guatemala | SuperintendenciaĀ de Bancos |
| Guernsey | Guernsey Financial Services Commission |
| Guinea | Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea |
| Guyana | Bank of Guyana |
| Haiti | Bank of the Republic of Haiti |
| Honduras | Central Bank of Honduras |
| National Banking and Insurance Commission | |
| Hong Kong SAR | Hong Kong Monetary Authority |
| Hungary | Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary) |
| Iceland | Central Bank of Iceland |
| Financial Supervisory Authority of Iceland | |
| India | Reserve Bank of India |
| Indonesia | BankĀ Indonesia |
| Iran, Islamic Republic of | TheĀ Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran |
| Ireland | CentralĀ Bank of Ireland |
| Isle of Man | FinancialĀ Supervision Commission |
| Israel | BankĀ of Israel |
| Italy | BankĀ of Italy |
| Jamaica | BankĀ of Jamaica |
| Japan | BankĀ of Japan |
| FinancialĀ Services Agency | |
| Jersey | JerseyĀ Financial Services Commission |
| Jordan | CentralĀ Bank of Jordan |
| Kazakhstan | NationalĀ Bank of Kazakhstan |
| TheĀ Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of Financial Market | |
| Kenya | CentralĀ Bank of Kenya |
| Korea, Republic of | BankĀ of Korea |
| FinancialĀ Supervisory Service | |
| Kosovo | CentralĀ Bank of the Republic of Kosovo |
| Kuwait | CentralĀ Bank of Kuwait |
| Kyrgyzstan | NationalĀ Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic |
| Latvia | FinancialĀ and Capital Market Commission |
| Lebanon | CentralĀ Bank of Lebanon |
| Lesotho | CentralĀ Bank of Lesotho |
| Libya, State of | Central Bank of Libya |
| Liechtenstein | Financial Market Authority |
| Lithuania | Bank of Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | Central Bank of Luxembourg |
| Financial Sector Supervisory Commission | |
| Macau SAR | Monetary Authority of Macau |
| Madagascar | Banky Phoebe’s Madagascar |
| Malawi | Reserve Bank of Malawi |
| Malaysia | Central Bank of Malaysia |
| Maldives | Maldives Monetary Authority |
| Malta | CentralĀ Bank of Malta |
| MaltaĀ Financial Services Authority | |
| Mauritius | BankĀ of Mauritius |
| Mexico | Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores |
| Moldova, Republic of | NationalĀ Bank of Moldova |
| Montserrat | FinancialĀ Services Commission |
| Morocco | BankĀ Al-Maghrib (Central Bank of Morocco) |
| Mozambique | BankĀ of Mozambique |
| Myanmar | CentralĀ Bank of Myanmar |
| Namibia | BankĀ of Namibia |
| Nepal | CentralĀ Bank of Nepal (Nepal Rastra Bank) |
| The Netherlands | The Bank of the Netherlands |
| New Zealand | Reserve Bank of New Zealand |
| Nicaragua | Superintendence of Banks and Other Financial Institutions |
| Nigeria | Central Bank of Nigeria |
| Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation | |
| North Macedonia, Republic of Macedonia | National Bank of North Macedonia |
| Norway | Central Bank of Norway |
| Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway | |
| Oman | Central Bank of Oman |
| Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) | Eastern Caribbean Central Bank |
| Pakistan | State Bank of Pakistan |
| Palestine | Palestinian Monetary Authority |
| Panama | National Bank of Panama (National Bank of Panama) |
| Superintendence of Banks of the Republic of Panama | |
| Papua New Guinea | Bank of Papua New Guinea |
| Paraguay | Central Bank of Paraguay |
| Peru | Superintendent of Banking and Insurance |
| Philippines | Central Bank of the Philippines ( Central Bank of the Philippines ) |
| Poland | Narodowy Bank Polski |
| Polish Financial Supervision Authority | |
| Portugal | Bank of Portugal |
| Puerto Rico | Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions |
| Qatar | Qatar Central Bank |
| Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority | |
| Romania | National Bank of Romania |
| Russian Federation | Central Bank of the Russian Federation |
| Rwanda | National Bank of Rwanda |
| Samoa | CentralĀ Bank of Samoa |
| San Marino | CentralĀ Bank of the Republic of San Marino |
| Saudi Arabia | SaudiĀ Central Bank |
| Serbia | NationalĀ Bank of Serbia |
| Seychelles | CentralĀ Bank of Seychelles |
| Sierra Leone | BankĀ of Sierra Leone |
| Singapore | MonetaryĀ Authority of Singapore |
| Slovakia | NationalĀ Bank of Slovakia |
| Slovenia | BankĀ of Slovenia |
| Solomon Islands | CentralĀ Bank of Solomon Islands |
| South Africa | SouthĀ African Reserve Bank |
| Spain | BankĀ of Spain |
| Sri Lanka | CentralĀ Bank of Sri Lanka |
| Sudan | BankĀ of Sudan |
| Suriname | CentralĀ Bank of Suriname |
| Sweden | SverigesĀ Riksbank |
| Finansinspektionen | |
| Switzerland | SwissĀ National Bank |
| SwissĀ Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) | |
| Syrian Arab Republic | CentralĀ Bank of Syria |
| Tajikistan | NationalĀ Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan |
| Tanzania, United Republic of | BankĀ of Tanzania |
| Thailand | Bank of Thailand |
| Tonga | National Reserve Bank of Tonga |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago |
| Tunisia | Central Bank of Tunisia |
| Turkey | Central Bank of Turkey |
| Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Agency | |
| Turkmenistan | Central Bank of Turkmenistan |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | Financial Services Commission |
| Uganda | Bank of Uganda |
| Ukraine | National Bank of Ukraine |
| United Arab Emirates | Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates |
| DubaiĀ Financial Services Authority | |
| United Kingdom | BankĀ of England |
| PrudentialĀ Regulation Authority | |
| TheĀ Financial Conduct Authority | |
| United States | BoardĀ of Governors of the Federal Reserve System |
| FederalĀ Deposit Insurance Corporation DC | |
| NewĀ York State Department of Financial Services | |
| OfficeĀ of the Comptroller of the Currency | |
| Uruguay | CentralĀ Bank of Uruguay |
| Uzbekistan | CentralĀ Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan |
| Vanuatu | Reserve Bank of Vanuatu |
| Vanuatu Financial Services Commission | |
| Venezuela | Superintendency of Banks and Other Financial Institutions |
| Vietnam | State Bank of Vietnam |
| Virgin Islands, British | Financial Services Commission |
| West African Monetary Union | Union Banking Commission West African Monetary |
| Zambia | Bank of Zambia |
| Zimbabwe | Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe |
Financial Ombudsman or Consumer Protection: Most countries in the world have a financial ombudsman service or consumer protection, which tries to resolve disputes between consumers and financial institutions.
Legal Help: If your complaint has not been resolved at the above tier, consult an attorney who has experience in the field of financial law pertaining to such disputes.
Public Attention: Sometimes, going public helps you to add more pressure on the broker. You can describe your experience on social networks and forums and in the press.
Trading Community: Request suggestions and support within trading communities. Members of such communities quite often have firsthand experience with similar problems and are capable of giving real valuable recommendations.
Professional Associations: If the broker were to be a member of a professional association, then professional associations and trade groups may have various other ways of addressing your complaints.
Alternative Online Dispute Resolution Platforms: Besides the ones mentioned, several other online dispute resolution platforms are committed to solving financial disputes. They may offer alternative solutions to your problem.
Any fraud coming from a Forex broker should be treated as tough and organized. As such, one can gather all the evidence, seek help from relevant authorities, and not refrain from making such issues public and involving professionals in the meantime. You are not just after retrieving your lost money but seeing to it that your scammers are brought to their knees.
Forex scammers – how to recognize them
- Intrusive calls at any time of the day. Fraudsters have been known to trick clients for months before they transfer their money. Remember: a professional and honest broker or financial trader will never impose his services over the phone. Clients look for a good specialist themselves.
- Calls come from a mobile or hidden number. Remember that a serious brokerage company always has one telephone number – federal or local.
- The promise of fabulous profits from invested funds in a short time – 10ā20% or more per week or month. Besides, no broker is able to guarantee the 100% profit. Investment is an activity that’s always risky.
- Refusal of the website address of the brokerage company. Scarcity of information about her in the Internet. Or there is no information on the company’s website about the owner of the company, legal address or contact information.
- Lack of license information, absence of the same. Any organization that professionally conducts deals in financial markets and with financial instruments using attracted funds is obliged to have a license
- In case the broker company is registered in some other country and provides a lack of license, such an organization is offshore, which operates out of a legal field of your country. After signing the agreement with such a broker, in case of violation of your rights, you will not be able to defend your interests in your country of residence.
- The broker does not want to meet in the office and conclude a brokerage agreement. It proposes to open an account hastily without checking your documents and assures that it is enough to create a personal account on the website.
How to get money back from a Forex broker?
If a fraudulent broker refuses to return your money, or he simply vanished into thin air, it is possible to get a refund through the chargeback procedure – challenging of the transaction through the bank. For this, you need to file an application with the bank that issued your card or opened an account. In the application, it is necessary to write that you want to return the money and justify this requirement, indicate your contact information, card or account number.
The copies of your passport or other identity document and documents proving the fact of fraud must accompany the application. This may include data about the brokerage company’s nonexistence of license, correspondence with a fraudulent broker in instant messengers or via email, records of telephone conversations, a copy of a statement to the police with a mark of its acceptance, a copy of the statement sent to the Central Bank of the country where the forex broker is registered.
You should file an application with the bank no later than 45 days from the date of the transaction. Some banks establish longer terms.
The waiting time for a response may be anything from 30 to 160 days. In case of a positive decision from the payment system, the money transferred to the fraudster will be returned to your credit card or account, and this fraudulent organization may be also fined.
Please note that nowadays, numerous proposals have appeared on the Internet from so-called chargebackers who, for a certain interest as a fee, promise to return funds transferred to an unscrupulous broker. We strongly advise not to waste time and money on such services. It is much better to contact a lawyer or attorney in your country of residence.
Why Regulated United Europe?
Regulated United Europe OĆ (RUE) is a European legal consulting firm specializing in financial licensing, company formation, and regulatory compliance. Since 2016, we have helped hundreds of businesses obtain crypto, gambling, forex, and EMI/PSP licenses across 35+ jurisdictions.
With offices in four EU countries and a team of experienced lawyers, we provide end-to-end support ā from initial consultation and company registration to license acquisition and ongoing compliance management.
500+
Clients Served
35+
Jurisdictions
Since 2016
Years in Business
4
EU Offices
Licensed Legal Practice
Fully registered and regulated EU company with partnerships across major financial centers.
Multilingual Team
Our experts speak English, German, Russian, Chinese, and 12+ other languages for global client support.
Turnkey Solutions
From company registration to license acquisition and compliance ā we handle the entire process end-to-end.
Dedicated Support
Personal consultant assigned to each client. Direct communication channels, no call centers.