03/26/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/26/2021 03:41
In recent months, many consumers have reported to the FSMA that they were approached by companies with a variety of offers, promising rates of return far higher than market rates and often claiming the returns are guaranteed. Beware, because often behind these tempting offers are scammers who are not authorized to make such offers, the sole aim of which is to steal your savings.
The principle is always the same: you are contacted by phone by a salesperson, without any prior initiative on your part or after leaving your details on an online contact form.
The swindlers then promise you will earn very high, or even guaranteed returns, thanks to savings accounts with various underlying investments (rental of parking spaces or closed garages, purchase of rooms in retirement homes in Portugal or France).
The FSMA was informed that the companies behind the following websites have been approaching Belgians with these types of offers:
Warning: these companies do not hold an authorization and are thus not permitted to offer investment services in Belgium. Moreover, it is very likely that these are cases of investment fraud, which means that in the end, the amounts invested are never reimbursed.
In order to appear more convincing to consumers, these companies have usurped the identity of authorized investment firms; namely Alpha Connect Capital GmbH, Dutch Options and Futures Institute BV, International Financial Advisers SARL, Omicron Investment Management GmbH, Oranjeveste BV and PMB Capital LTD.
How to avoid the trap?
The FSMA encourages you to follow the recommendations below in order to prevent being defrauded:
On the FSMA website, this search can be conducted via the search function provided. In addition, all the 'companies' about which the FSMA has already published a warning are included on the 'List of companies operating unlawfully in Belgium' published on the FSMA website.
Please note: the fact that the FSMA has not published a warning against a given company does not mean that that company is authorized to offer financial services. While the FSMA seeks to ensure that it publishes warnings in a timely manner, it is entirely possible that a company operating unlawfully on the Belgian market may not yet have come to its attention. Moreover, unauthorized companies regularly change their name.
If you have the least doubt about whether financial services being offered to you are lawful, please don't hesitate to contact the FSMA directly using the consumer contact form. As well, feel free to notify it should you come across a suspicious company that has not yet been the subject of a warning by the FSMA.
What to do if you are victim of fraud?
If you think you are the victim of fraud, make sure you do not pay any additional sums to your contact. Note: this is also and especially true if you are promised a refund in exchange for a final payment, as this is a technique frequently used by fraudsters in order to try to obtain one last payment.
Also, contact the local police(link is external) immediately to make a complaint and alert the FSMA to the scam via the consumer contact form.
The FSMA stresses the importance of filing a complaint quickly and with ample documentation (the company in question, bank accounts to which you transferred money, etc.).