icbc-gb.com (Clone of FCA authorised firm)

What Is This Scam?

icbc-gb.com is an unauthorised financial services website operating as a fraudulent clone of a legitimate, FCA-regulated bank. This scam targets UK consumers by impersonating the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, a genuine financial institution authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The fraudsters behind this operation use deceptive domain names, spoofed contact details, and professional-looking website designs to convince victims that they are dealing with a legitimate financial services provider.

Victims of this scam may be tricked into providing personal information, banking credentials, investment funds, or other sensitive financial data. The scammers operate through the fraudulent website icbc-gb.com and use the email address [email protected] to communicate with potential victims, creating a false sense of legitimacy and trust.

Who Are They Impersonating?

The legitimate company being impersonated is Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, a genuine FCA-authorised financial institution. The authentic organisation operates under the following official details:

• Firm Name: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited
• FCA Firm Reference Number: 629629
• Registered Address: 81 King William Street, London, EC4N 7BG, United Kingdom
• Official Telephone: +4402073978888
• Official Email: [email protected]
• Official Website: https://www.icbc-uk.com/
• Regulator: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) — www.fca.org.uk

If you need to contact the genuine ICBC, always use the official contact details listed above and verify them through the FCA register at www.fca.org.uk.

Evidence & Regulatory Action

The FCA has officially identified and warned the public about icbc-gb.com as an unauthorised clone of the FCA-authorised firm. On 10 December 2024, the FCA published a formal warning stating that icbc-gb.com "is not authorised or registered by the FCA but has been targeting people in the UK." This scam was also flagged by the FCA register for unauthorised firms on the same date.

The fraudulent operation has been registered on international alert networks, including the International Securities & Commodities Alerts Network (I-SCAN) operated by IOSCO, confirming it as an unregistered and unlicensed entity offering financial products or services without proper authorisation.

For the full FCA warning and regulatory details, visit the official alert page: FCA Warning: icbc-gb.com (Clone of FCA authorised firm)

Red Flags

• Domain name closely mimics the legitimate firm but uses a different address (icbc-gb.com instead of icbc-uk.com)
• Email address differs from the official ICBC contact ([email protected] vs. [email protected])
• The website is not listed on the FCA register as an authorised firm
• Professional-looking design intended to deceive consumers into believing it is legitimate
• Unsolicited contact offering financial services or investment opportunities
• Requests for personal information, banking details, or upfront payments
• Pressure to act quickly or make decisions without proper verification

What To Do If You Have Been Contacted

• Do not engage further with the scammers or provide any personal or financial information
• Do not click links in emails or texts from this sender
• Verify the legitimacy of any financial organisation by checking the FCA register at www.fca.org.uk
• Report the scam to the FCA using their online reporting form at www.fca.org.uk/report
• Report the email address [email protected] to your email provider
• Report the website and any contact attempts to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040
• If you have already shared sensitive information, contact your bank immediately and monitor your accounts closely for suspicious activity
• Consider reporting the scam to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if your personal data has been compromised