Hedge Funds Limited (Clone of FCA authorised firm)

What Is This Scam?

Hedge Funds Limited is a fraudulent clone operation that impersonates a legitimate, FCA-authorised financial investment firm. This scam targets individuals seeking to invest in hedge funds and other financial products by creating a convincing façade of legitimacy. The fraudsters use nearly identical branding, website design, and contact information to deceive potential investors into believing they are dealing with a regulated and trustworthy investment company.

The scam operates through a fraudulent website (hedgefundslimited.com) and email address ([email protected]), both designed to mirror the legitimate company's communications. Victims who contact this fake entity risk losing money through fraudulent investment schemes, unauthorized transfers, or identity theft. The sophistication of clone fraud makes it particularly dangerous, as many victims only discover they have been scammed after funds have been transferred or sensitive financial information has been compromised.

Who Are They Impersonating?

The scammers are impersonating Hedge Funds Investment Management Ltd, a legitimate FCA-regulated investment firm based in London. The genuine company operates under the following verified details:

• Firm Name: Hedge Funds Investment Management Ltd
• FCA Firm Reference Number: 449528
• Registered Address: 30 Crown Place, London, EC2A 4EB, United Kingdom
• Telephone: +442079654718
• Official Email: [email protected]
• Official Website: www.hfim.com
• Regulatory Authority: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

The legitimate firm holds proper FCA authorisation and is subject to regulatory oversight. Any entity claiming to represent this company but using different contact details or web addresses should be treated with extreme suspicion.

Evidence & Regulatory Action

This scam has been officially documented and warned against by the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA's official warning on Hedge Funds Limited (Clone of FCA authorised firm) was issued on November 11, 2024, and identifies the fraudulent operation's registered address as 69 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 3HL, Scotland.

The FCA Register confirms that Hedge Funds Limited is an unauthorised firm that exploits the identity and details of the genuine FCA-regulated entity. This scam has also been documented in international fraud registries, including the IOSCO I-Scan database, which lists it as an unregistered and unlicensed entity offering financial products and services.

Financial media outlets have reported on this clone operation as part of broader warnings about sophisticated clone fraud targeting UK consumers in November 2024.

Red Flags

• Website URL differs from the official site (hedgefundslimited.com vs. www.hfim.com)
• Email address is [email protected] rather than [email protected]
• Firm is not listed on the official FCA Register as authorised
• Unsolicited contact offering investment opportunities
• Pressure to act quickly or transfer funds without proper verification
• Inability to verify the firm through the FCA's official register
• Requests for personal financial information or bank details

What To Do If You Have Been Contacted

If you have been contacted by or have engaged with Hedge Funds Limited through hedgefundslimited.com or [email protected], take the following steps immediately:

• Do not send any money or provide personal financial information
• Verify any investment firm independently by checking the official FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk
• Contact the genuine Hedge Funds Investment Management Ltd directly using the official contact details above to confirm whether you have been contacted by scammers
• Report the scam to Action Fraud and your local police force
• Report the fraudulent website and email to the FCA
• If you have already transferred funds, contact your bank or payment provider immediately
• Monitor your bank accounts and credit reports for fraudulent activity