The FSMA wishes to draw the attention of the public to fake information sites that steal the identity of Belgian media to promote fraudulent trading platforms. These fake websites fraudulently use the visual identity and name of well-known Belgian or international media outlets (Le Soir, La Libre, HLN, Euronews, etc.) to lend credibility to the investment offers they promote. The FSMA therefore urges consumers to be particularly vigilant.
Fraudsters are increasingly using fake information websites that steal the appearance of well-known Belgian and international media outlets. The fake articles they publish there are in fact disguised advertisements whose sole objective is to encourage readers to fill in a contact form in order to be contacted by a fraudulent trading platform.
To lend the appearance of credibility to their contents, these fraudsters shamelessly steal the identity of Belgian celebrities. They attribute false statements to them or make it seem as if they were investing in online trading platforms.
These fake press articles often describe alleged incidents occurring during a televised debate or interview aired on Belgian TV stations. In so doing, they refer to so-called ‘clashes’ between politicians, economic or financial leaders and journalists or TV hosts, during which one of the participants apparently reveals to the public that investing in a trading platform is the secret to getting rich.
The fraudsters try to reassure investors by claiming that these trading platforms comply with Belgian financial legislation and regulations and that they are authorized by the FSMA or the National Bank of Belgium. These fake articles are often accompanied by deep fake photos or video clips from programmes, in an effort to enhance their trustworthiness.
The FSMA has identified a fraudulent trading platform by the name of BitKeltTrade, which uses the website: https://www.bitkelttrade.com.
The FSMA also identified several fraudulent information sites that redirect consumers to the fake BitKeltTrade trading platform. These sites are:
- https://glowrift.ink
- https://mizinlolom.cyou
- https://mofnvexa.cyou
- https://radolovbelogor.click
- https://vworlix.cyou
- https://yogrvexa.cyou
The FSMA reminds consumers that the presence of the name or logo of a well-known media site or public person does not in any way constitute a guarantee of reliability.
Before making any investments, investors are encouraged to verify that the provider is authorized to provide investment services, and to exercise great prudence if they are presented with promises of returns on investment that seem too good to be true.