Smart Invest Studios/ smartinveststudio.com (Clone of FCA authorised firm)

What Is This Scam?

Smart Invest Studios operating through smartinveststudio.com and smartsolution-live.com is a fraudulent investment scheme that impersonates a legitimate, FCA-authorised financial firm. This clone operation targets unsuspecting consumers seeking investment management services by presenting itself as an authorised entity when it has no regulatory credentials whatsoever. The scammers use professional-looking websites, contact information, and branding nearly identical to the legitimate firm they are copying, making it extremely difficult for consumers to distinguish between the real and fake operations. Victims are typically lured into depositing money for supposed investment management services, which are never delivered.

Who Are They Impersonating?

The fraudsters are impersonating Smart Investment Management Limited, a legitimate UK-based investment firm authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The genuine company operates from 1 Oliver's Yard, 55-71 City Road, London, EC1Y 1HQ, United Kingdom, and holds FCA Firm Reference Number 627829. Their official website is morningstarwealthplatform.com, and they can be reached at +4408081785125 or [email protected]. This legitimate firm is subject to FCA oversight and maintains proper regulatory compliance. The clone operation deliberately mimics this company's branding and details to deceive consumers into believing they are conducting business with an authorised financial services provider.

Evidence & Regulatory Action

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has formally identified and warned the public about this clone firm. According to the official FCA warning issued on February 4, 2025, Smart Invest Studios and smartinveststudio.com have been flagged as an unauthorised clone operation. The scam has also been registered with the International Securities & Commodities Alerts Network (I-SCAN) operated by IOSCO, extending awareness of this fraud to international regulators and consumer protection agencies across multiple jurisdictions. The Dutch financial authority (AFM) has similarly published warnings about this entity. Multiple regulatory bodies are now tracking this operation, indicating a coordinated international response to this growing threat.

Red Flags

• Website uses similar branding and URL structure to the legitimate firm but is not the official domain
• Contact phone numbers (+441133234156, +447361650092) do not match the legitimate firm's published telephone number
• Email address ([email protected]) differs from the genuine contact ([email protected])
• The operation is unregistered and unlicensed, offering financial products without regulatory authorisation
• Formal FCA warning confirms this is a fraudulent clone operation
• International regulatory bodies have issued warnings across multiple jurisdictions
• Professional website design intended to appear legitimate and trustworthy

What To Do If You Have Been Contacted

If you have been contacted by Smart Invest Studios or have visited their websites, take the following steps immediately:

• Do not provide any personal information, financial details, or banking credentials
• Do not deposit any money or make any payments to this organisation
• Verify any investment firm directly through the FCA register at www.fca.org.uk using their search tool
• Report the scam to the FCA using their official warning page
• Contact Action Fraud (UK) or your national financial crime authority to report the fraudulent activity
• If you have already sent money, contact your bank immediately and report the fraud
• Preserve all communications, emails, and documentation for evidence purposes