BeginnerSocial Media Safety

Be suspicious of any investment opportunity you hear about on social media

Investment scams on social media — including cryptocurrency platforms, foreign exchange trading, and "exclusive" investment groups — cause some of the largest individual financial losses of any type of fraud.

The pattern is consistent: initial contact through social media or messaging apps, a period of trust-building, then an invitation to invest on a platform that shows excellent returns. Early withdrawals often work (to build confidence). Then larger investments lead to requests for more money before withdrawal, followed by the platform and contacts disappearing entirely.

Key warning signs:

- Consistent high returns (5–30% per week) that real markets don't produce

- A platform not regulated by the FCA

- You can't withdraw without paying an additional fee or tax

- You were added to a WhatsApp or Telegram group "by accident"

- The person recommending the investment is someone you met online and haven't met in person

Always check the FCA register at fca.org.uk before investing with any financial company. If they're not on it, don't invest.

If you've already invested: stop sending money immediately, document everything, and report to Action Fraud.

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