icon-automotivegroup.com (clone of Previously Authorised FCA Firm)

What Is This Scam?

icon-automotivegroup.com is a fraudulent website designed to deceive consumers by impersonating a legitimate, previously authorised financial services firm. This clone site operates as a classic impersonation scam, leveraging the credibility and reputation of an established business to gain consumer trust. The scammers use deceptive domain names, fake email addresses, and fabricated contact details to convince victims they are dealing with a regulated financial services provider. Targets of this scam typically include consumers seeking automotive financing, investment services, or other financial products who conduct minimal due diligence before engaging with the fraudulent entity.

Who Are They Impersonating?

The scammers are impersonating Icon Automotive Group Ltd, a previously authorised FCA firm. The legitimate company operates under the following details:

• Firm Name: Icon Automotive Group Ltd
• FCA Firm Reference Number: 936998
• Registered Address: 2/2, 53 Kenley Road, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, PA4 8BN, United Kingdom
• Regulatory Authority: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Contact Telephone: +4407826906579

The legitimate firm was previously authorised by the FCA to provide financial services. The fraudulent clone uses the company name and general concept to establish false credibility while operating from entirely different addresses and using unauthorised contact information.

Evidence & Regulatory Action

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has formally identified and warned the public about this fraudulent operation. According to the official FCA warning published on October 10, 2024, icon-automotivegroup.com is confirmed as a clone of a previously authorised FCA firm. The FCA alert specifically notes that the fraudulent operation is based at Unit 3, 851 London Road, Glasgow, G40 3RX—a completely different address from the legitimate firm's registered location in Renfrew.

This warning has been documented and shared across international consumer protection forums, indicating the broader impact and recognised threat level of this scam.

Red Flags

• Domain name closely mirrors a legitimate firm but is not the official website
• Email address ([email protected]) differs from legitimate firm contact details
• Physical address (Glasgow) does not match the authorised firm's registered address (Renfrew)
• Contact telephone number and email address ([email protected]) are inconsistent with professional financial services operations
• FCA has issued a formal warning against this specific domain
• The scam was only recently identified (October 2024), suggesting active ongoing fraudulent activity

What To Do If You Have Been Contacted

• Do not provide personal, financial, or banking information to anyone contacting you from this domain or associated email addresses
• Verify the legitimacy of any firm by checking the official FCA register using the firm reference number (936998 for the legitimate Icon Automotive Group Ltd)
• If you have already shared information with this fraudulent site, contact your bank and relevant financial institutions immediately
• Report the scam to the FCA's scam alert service and your local law enforcement
• Check your credit report for suspicious activity
• Block the domain and associated email addresses