FCA
Online trading scams
The FCA says investment scams using online trading platforms are often promoted online and via social media, and advises using the FCA Firm Checker.
Adverts promising easy returns from online trading appear in social feeds and search results alike. This page summarises what the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Investor.gov have published about such adverts and what they suggest doing before you click. It does not assess any advertiser, any platform or any firm.
What the FCA Says About Where Adverts Appear
On its online trading scams page, first published on 20 May 2019 and last updated on 19 January 2026, the FCA states: "Investment scams using online trading platforms are often promoted online and via social media channels." It also says people searching are targeted: "Scammers also target people searching for investments online through search engines like Google and Bing."
What Investor.gov Says About Clicking
An Investor.gov alert dated 22 December 2025 gives a short instruction on adverts: "Don’t click on ads promising high investment returns." The same alert says that "Fraudsters often promise high guaranteed investment returns, but there is no such thing." Because that sentence concerns guaranteed returns generally, it applies equally to adverts and to private messages.
How the FCA Describes What Happens Next
The FCA describes the end of a typical scheme: "Eventually the returns stop, the customer’s account is suspended and there’s no further contact with the firm." It also warns about repeat targeting: "If you’ve already invested in a scam, fraudsters may try and target you again or sell your details to other criminals."
What Regulators Suggest You Do
The FCA says: "You should only deal with financial services firms that are authorised by us." For the checking steps, see how to check whether a broker is regulated. On reporting, the FCA says: "If you're worried about a potential scam, or you think you may have been contacted by a fraudster, report it to us."
Related pages: fake celebrity endorsement warnings, how to report a binary options scam and binary options scam warning signs. In the UK, retail binary options sales are prohibited; see our guide to binary options in the United Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the FCA say online trading scams are promoted?
The FCA states: "Investment scams using online trading platforms are often promoted online and via social media channels."
Can scammers also reach people through search results?
The FCA says: "Scammers also target people searching for investments online through search engines like Google and Bing."
What does Investor.gov say to do with adverts promising high returns?
The alert says: "Don’t click on ads promising high investment returns."
Does this page address whether an individual could face liability?
This page summarises what the regulators' published guidance says. It does not address whether an individual could face liability. Seek independent legal advice.
Sources and Official References
- FCA: Online trading scams (first published 20 May 2019; last updated 19 January 2026)
- Investor.gov: Group Chats as a Gateway to Investment Scams (22 December 2025)
This page summarises what the regulators' published guidance says. It does not address whether an individual could face liability. Seek independent legal advice.
This page summarises what the regulators' published guidance says. It does not address whether an individual could face liability. Seek independent legal advice.