tradecapitaleu.net (Clone of FCA authorised firm)

What Is This Scam?

tradecapitaleu.net is an unauthorised financial services website that operates as a fraudulent clone of a legitimate, FCA-regulated firm. This scam targets UK consumers by impersonating an authorised investment and trading company, using deceptive branding and false regulatory credentials to gain trust. The fraudulent operation uses the email address [email protected] to communicate with potential victims, soliciting deposits and financial information under the false pretence of offering legitimate trading or investment services. Since the scammers behind this operation are not regulated by any financial authority, there is no oversight, consumer protection, or recourse if funds are deposited.

Who Are They Impersonating?

The scam impersonates Trade Capital UK (TCUK) Ltd, a legitimate financial services firm authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The genuine company operates from Spaces Victoria, 25 Wilton Road, London, Westminster, SW1V 1LW, United Kingdom. Trade Capital UK holds FCA Firm Reference Number 738538 and can be contacted via their official telephone number +442031502385 or email [email protected]. Their authentic website is http://www.tradecapitaluk.com. The FCA is the official UK financial regulator, and information about authorised firms can be verified at www.fca.org.uk.

Evidence & Regulatory Action

The Financial Conduct Authority issued an official warning against tradecapitaleu.net on 6 November 2024, confirming that this entity is not authorised or registered by the FCA and has been actively targeting UK consumers. The FCA's warning is publicly available at https://www.fca.org.uk/news/warnings/tradecapitaleunet-clone-fca-authorised-firm. The scam has also been registered on the FCA's unauthorised firms database, which documents that tradecapitaleu.net uses the details of a genuine FCA-regulated firm to deceive consumers. Beyond UK authorities, the fraud has been reported to the International Securities & Commodities Alerts Network (I-SCAN) operated by IOSCO on 7 November 2024, and has been flagged by the Dutch financial regulator AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten), indicating this is a cross-border threat affecting multiple jurisdictions.

Red Flags

• Website domain is tradecapitaleu.net, not the legitimate tradecapitaluk.com
• Email address [email protected] does not match the official [email protected]
• Firm is not listed on the FCA register as an authorised entity
• Official FCA warning explicitly names this operation as unauthorised
• Deceptive use of legitimate firm's branding and regulatory status
• Unsolicited contact offering investment or trading opportunities
• Requests for deposits or financial information

What To Do If You Have Been Contacted

If you have been contacted by tradecapitaleu.net or [email protected], do not provide any personal information, financial details, or deposit funds. Immediately report the contact to the Financial Conduct Authority by visiting their official website at www.fca.org.uk and using their scam reporting tool. You can also report the fraudulent website to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud reporting service. Verify any future financial services offers independently by checking the FCA register directly before engaging with any firm. If you have already deposited money, contact your bank immediately to report the fraud and request a chargeback if possible. Keep all correspondence and evidence of contact with the scammers for reporting purposes.