SCAM GUIDE
Is this investment opportunity a scam?
Promises of guaranteed or unusually high returns, pressure to invest quickly and celebrity endorsements are warning signs. Before investing, check whether the company is licensed using the tools on moneysmart.gov.au, and be wary of any platform that makes it hard to withdraw.
Already sent money? Go to the response steps →Last reviewed · General information, not legal or financial advice. How we write these guides
What it looks like
“Guaranteed returns: double your money in 30 days on our trading platform.”Example wording
Warning signs
- Guaranteed or very high returns
- Celebrity or fake news endorsements
- Pressure to invest now or recruit others
- Requests for cryptocurrency or remote access to your device
Immediate steps and recovery
- Stop and don’t send more money.
Before you invest
Check the company using the tools on moneysmart.gov.au. Moneysmart: Check before you invest. Use ASIC’s Professional Registers Search. A licence does not guarantee an investment is safe.Already sent money?
If you’ve invested, contact your bank and report it to Scamwatch.- Be wary of “recovery” services that promise to get your money back.
Where to report it
Use the independent contacts and official reporting routes in the help panel.
Already lost money or details? Read what to do if you’ve been scammed.
Investment scams: common questions
They’re showing my account growing. Doesn’t that prove it’s real?
No. Fake trading platforms often show made-up gains to encourage bigger deposits. Be wary if you can’t withdraw your money.
Someone offered to recover my lost investment for a fee. Is that genuine?
Be very cautious. Recovery scams often target people who have already lost money.
