Customer Advisory: 

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) wants the public to watch for 

unregistered brokers and advisers, as well as fake testimonials and so-called trading 

experts on social media platforms. Fraud offenders can create many online profiles or 

anonymous identities, and use them in a coordinated way to lure people into schemes. 

Common schemes include those that tout trade 

signals, automated trading software, trading platforms, 

and training in “secret” or failsafe trading strategies.

Often these frauds target those who are interested in 

trading foreign currencies (forex), binary options, 

digital currencies, or precious metals. Imposter 

schemes may also prey on those who were recently 

defrauded by promising to get stolen money back. The 

imposters often pose as law enforcement, attorneys or 

government officials. 

Easy Money – No Experience Necessary 

Fraudulent profiles can be easy to spot if you know 

what to look for. They typically flaunt wealth or brag 

about their huge “win” percentages. Photos of exotic 

vacations, sports cars, and mansions are common. 

Details or verifiable facts about the person’s 

background, credentials, and experience are scarce. 

The profiles commonly appear to be new with few 

connections to family, friends, or colleagues. Bogus 

profiles are designed to build a façade of success, and 

an enviable lifestyle. Posts may even feature screen 

shots of “winning trades” or huge account balances. 

The profiles often promote: 

 Products, services, or secrets that require little 

or no experience, but return hundreds or 

thousands of dollars a day. 

 Fan comments or videos that tell stories of 

dead-end jobs or being deep in debt before 

taking the plunge and sharing in the success. 

 Market “geniuses” or ex-professionals who want to share their insider know-how with 

you. (They are so successful they feel guilty keeping their secrets to themselves.) 

 Deep discounts, free trials, or guarantees to help you get started. 

 A risk-free opportunity to earn millions of dollars with little effort. 

But once people take that first “risk-free” step, the trap is sprung. 

Unfriend these frauds 

Recently, the CFTC has issued alerts 

or filed enforcement cases about:

 Virtual currency pump-anddumps: Victims are lured into 

bidding up a thinly traded digital 

currency, usually based on social 

media tips or rumors.

 Fraudulent binary options sites:

Offshore, unregistered trading 

platforms use fake brokers or 

phony customer testimonies to 

lure people into opening accounts.

 Imposter frauds: Fraudsters 

pose as government, law 

enforcement, or other officials and 

demand fines, fees, or taxes.

 Marketing frauds: Unscrupulous 

marketing firms create slick 

videos or launch multi-levelmarketing schemes to bring 

victims into frauds.

 Trading signals, software, or 

education: These are supposed 

to signal traders when to buy or 

sell, but often come with hidden 

costs or don’t perform as 

promised. 

There’s Nothing to Like about Scammers 

on Social Media
This article was prepared by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Office of Customer Education and Outreach. It is 

provided for general informational purposes only and does not provide legal or investment advice to any individual or entity. 

Please consult with your own legal adviser before taking any action based on this information. Reference in this article to any 

organizations or the use of any organization, trade, firm, or corporation name is for informational purposes only and does not 

constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the CFTC. 

A Net of Lies

Commenting on a video or responding to another member in a group discussion may seem 

innocent enough, but these interactions are just the bait. Fraudsters are often successful 

because they target their victims. Expressing interest, or even participating in the same groups, 

could make some users potential targets. Fraudsters can easily size up your profile information, 

and gather details from profiles on other platforms too. They go after targets they believe will be 

the most profitable. Professionals, retirees, people willing to take some risks with their money, 

or people who recently experienced some financial strain are commonly targeted. 

Frauds often occur incrementally. First, you register on the fraudster’s website with your email 

address. You receive a welcoming email with an invitation to join a webinar or receive 

personalized help during your free trial. The introductions are designed to build rapport and get 

you to commit an initial payment. Once you’re invested, the pressure increases. If you appear to 

make money, you’re pressured to invest more; if you lose money, you may be offered additional 

classes, upgrades, or “loss insurance.” Eventually, it becomes evident the advice, signals, 

products, services, platforms, webinars, or workshops will never live up to the hype. 

When you try to get your money back all communication stops. A few weeks later, the imposter 

frauds begin. You might receive an email or phone call from a law firm suing the people who 

took your money. Fraudsters also will pose as the IRS, CFTC, SEC or other government 

agencies. For an immediate up-front payment, the fraudsters claim, you can sue to get your 

money back, or pay off taxes and fines you’ve supposedly incurred. 

Social Media Safety Tips

 Don’t rely on tips or claims you see online.

 Scrutinize the source of the information. Is the broker or adviser currently or formerly

registered with the National Futures Association (NFA), Financial Industry Regulatory

Authority (FINRA), or your state securities regulator?1 Check disciplinary histories or

verify claims of experience.

 Only work with advisers and platforms that are registered to do business in the United

States, or in your state, to ensure you retain your protections under the law.

 Be sure you fully understand what you’re being sold, how it will make you money, and

how much it will cost over the long-term, including knowing the risks of losing money, as

well as recurring fees and penalties.

 Remember, there is no such thing as a risk-free investment.

 Sleep on it. Sometimes fear of losing out is a bigger motivator than winning big, so

fraudsters commonly fake urgency to get a commitment. Don’t take the bait.

 Never pay more money up-front to get your stolen losses back.

 Remember, government agencies will never demand money by phone or email.

To learn more, visit cftc.gov/LearnAndProtect. 

1

 Visit nfa.futures.org/basicnet/ or brokercheck.finra.org to verify registrations and view disciplinary histories.