Investment scams

These scams involve a fraudster pretending to be an entrepreneur or company asking you to invest in their business with the promise of a high return on investment.  

Warning signs that can help you spot an investment scammer: 

• Asking to access your computer remotely using applications such as AnyDesk  
• Asking you to invest in a ‘get rich quick scheme’ 
• Requesting any sort of payment or money, including vouchers and/or wire transfers 
• Unavailable over the phone or unable to video call 
• Want to communicate via WhatsApp only rather than normal SMS text message 
• No information online about them or the company they work for 
• They want to borrow your ID or bank account 
• They explain that a new bank account should be set up in your name as part of the investment 
• They explain that you will be able to repay the loan very easily and quickly with the money you will make back from the investment 
• They explain that they will get the loan ‘written off' as they have done with many other customers. They may even show you an ‘email’ or ‘text’ used previously, impersonating Plata.   

If you are taking out a loan for any of the reasons below, please take five minutes to pause and think it through. 

1. Bitcoin investment or any investment in Crypto Currency 
2. Get rich quick scheme – you are being encouraged to take out a loan to invest on the basis you will make a large return  
3. Credit score improvement 
4. Investing in a new company or product  

If you are tempted to make an investment in a business, it is good practice to first check if the company is regulated by having a look at the FCA’s register or seeing if they are listed on the Companies House website.