Clone Scams
Explained
35% of forex scams are clone firms - fake companies impersonating legitimate brokers. Learn how they work and how to protect yourself.
What Is a Clone Firm?
Understanding the most sophisticated forex scam
Clone Firm Definition
A clone firm is a fake company that impersonates a legitimate, regulated broker by copying their name, logo, license numbers, and website - but with different contact details that lead to scammers.
✅ Legitimate Broker
❌ Clone Scam
How Clone Scams Operate
The step-by-step scam process
Target Selection
Scammers identify a legitimate, well-known broker with good reputation and proper regulation (often FCA, ASIC, or CySEC regulated firms).
Website Cloning
They create an exact copy of the broker's website - same design, logos, content, and regulatory information - but on a slightly different domain.
Different Contact Details
The only changes are contact details - phone numbers, emails, and sometimes the website URL - which lead to the scammers instead of the real broker.
Victim Targeting
Victims find the clone through ads, social media, cold calls, or search engines. The victim believes they're dealing with the real broker.
Deposit Collection
Victims deposit funds, thinking they're trading with a regulated broker. Money goes to scammers' accounts, not the real broker.
Disappearance
Scammers disappear with funds. Victims who complain to the real broker discover they never had an account there.
🔍 How to Detect Clone Scams
6 essential verification techniques
1. Check the EXACT URL
Clone sites use similar but different domains:
www.icmarkets.com
www.icmarkets-trading.com
www.ic-markets-pro.com
2. Verify on Official Register
Go to the regulator's official website and check the registered website URL:
- Find the broker on FCA Register
- Check the "Website" field in the register entry
- Compare with the site you're visiting
If they don't match exactly = CLONE
3. Call the Official Number
Use the phone number from the official register, not the website:
- Get the phone number from FCA/ASIC register
- Call and verify if they contacted you
- Ask if the website URL is theirs
4. Check Domain Age
Use WHOIS to check when the domain was registered:
- Legitimate brokers: domains 5-20+ years old
- Clone scams: domains usually <1 year old
- Recently registered = HIGH RISK
5. Red Flag: Unsolicited Contact
If someone contacted YOU first:
- Cold calls about trading = likely scam
- Social media investment tips = likely scam
- WhatsApp/Telegram approaches = likely scam
Legitimate brokers don't cold call.
📋 Real Clone Scam Examples
Actual clone alerts from regulators
Cloning: IG Markets
www.ig.com
www.ig-markets-online.com
Scammers copied IG's entire website and used the same FCA number. Victims contacted IG about their "accounts" only to discover they had no relationship with IG.
Cloning: Pepperstone
www.pepperstone.com
www.pepperstone-trading.com
Clone site used Pepperstone's ASIC license number. Scammers contacted victims via WhatsApp claiming to be Pepperstone account managers.
Cloning: CMC Markets
www.cmcmarkets.com
www.cmc-markets-pro.net
Clone scammers ran paid ads that appeared above CMC's official site in search results. Multiple victims lost over £100,000 combined.
🆘 Think You're a Clone Scam Victim?
Take these steps immediately
Stop All Contact
Do not send more money. Do not respond to messages from the scammers.
Contact Real Broker
Call the legitimate broker using the number from the official register. Confirm you have no account with them.
Report Immediately
Report to: Action Fraud (UK), FBI IC3 (US), ScamWatch (AU), and the relevant regulator.
Contact Your Bank
Request chargeback if paid by card. Report fraud for wire transfers. Act within 24-48 hours.
🛡️ Trade With Verified, Real Brokers Only
Every broker in our database links directly to their official, verified website. No clones. No fakes. Only legitimate, regulated brokers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do clones use real license numbers?
Because victims will check the FCA/ASIC register and find the license is valid. The scam works because victims verify the number but don't notice the website/contact details on the register differ from the clone site.
Can I get my money back from a clone scam?
It's very difficult. The real broker isn't liable since you never traded with them. Your best chance is bank chargeback (for card payments) within 120 days. Wire transfers are usually unrecoverable.
How do I know if a website is the official one?
Always verify on the official regulator register (FCA, ASIC, etc.). The register lists the broker's official website URL. Compare it EXACTLY with the site you're visiting. Any difference = clone.
Why don't regulators stop clone scams?
They try - the FCA alone issues 1000+ clone warnings per year. But scammers create new clones faster than they can be taken down. Clones can be set up in hours and operated from anywhere in the world.