Ratcliffes Capital Limited Clone of FCA authorised firm with similar name

What Is This Scam?

Ratcliffes Capital Limited is a cloned firm scam targeting consumers in the United Kingdom. Fraudsters have created a fraudulent operation designed to impersonate a legitimate, FCA-authorised investment firm. This type of sophisticated fraud, known as "cloning," involves criminals using the details and branding of a genuine regulated company to deceive victims into believing they are dealing with an established, trustworthy financial institution.

The scam operates through a fake website (ratcliffescapitallimited.com) and email address ([email protected]), which closely mirror the legitimate firm's identity. Victims are typically approached with investment opportunities or financial services offers that appear credible due to the professional presentation and use of the authentic firm's reputation. Once contact is established, scammers attempt to convince targets to transfer funds or provide sensitive personal and financial information.

Who Are They Impersonating?

The fraudulent Ratcliffes Capital Limited is impersonating Ratcliffes</strong, a legitimate FCA-authorised financial services firm. The genuine company operates under the following verified credentials:

• Firm Name: Ratcliffes
• FCA Firm Reference Number: 313611
• Registered Address: 14 Brook's Mews, London, W1K 4DG, United Kingdom
• Official Telephone: +4402076294036
• Official Email: [email protected]
• Official Website: www.ratcliffes.com
• Regulator: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Consumers should always verify any firm's FCA authorisation directly through the official FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk before engaging with any financial services provider.

Evidence & Regulatory Action

The FCA has issued an official warning regarding this cloned firm. According to the FCA's official alert published on November 28, 2024, "Ratcliffes Capital Limited (Clone of FCA authorised firm) is not authorised or registered by the FCA but has been targeting people in the UK."

The FCA Register confirms that individuals using the details of the genuine Ratcliffes firm to suggest they work for the legitimate operation is a clear indicator of a cloned firm scam. The regulatory authority notes that cloning is typically part of a broader fraudulent scheme designed to steal consumer money and personal information.

Red Flags

• Email address differs from the official contact email ([email protected] vs. [email protected])
• Website domain is ratcliffescapitallimited.com instead of the legitimate www.ratcliffes.com
• Unsolicited contact offering investment opportunities or financial services
• Requests for immediate fund transfers or sensitive personal information
• Pressure to act quickly or claims of limited-time investment opportunities
• Inability to verify the firm's details on the official FCA Register
• Professional-looking communications designed to appear authentic

What To Do If You Have Been Contacted

If you have received contact from this fraudulent operation, take the following steps immediately:

• Do not send any money or provide personal financial information
• Do not click links or download attachments from suspicious emails
• Verify the firm's details directly using the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk
• Report the scam to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040
• Report the fraudulent website and email to the FCA at www.fca.org.uk
• Inform your bank if funds have been transferred
• Monitor your financial accounts for suspicious activity