Lured by a deepfake video, retiree lost over $4,000 in an investment scheme
Investment scams recorded the highest amount of losses, at about $145.4 million, in the first half of 2025.
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Abstract:Unregulated broker ProMarkets scammed a Dutch trader, leading to major financial loss. The case highlights risks of investing with unlicensed platforms.

A trader from the Netherlands has experienced a substantial financial loss as a result of misleading activities by ProMarkets, a broker. This case is concerning as it underscores the dangers connected with unregulated trading platforms. There is a significant danger for investors since this broker, based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is neither registered nor regulated.
The victim, whose identity remains confidential, initially invested €2,500 with ProMarkets after being approached on Instagram by an individual promoting the platform. The broker's promises of easy profit through copy-trading and additional trading signals seemed lucrative. As the supposed profits grew, so did the demands for additional deposits under various pretexts, each one more suspicious than the last.
After meeting the profit threshold of €5,000, the victim sought to withdraw their earnings. Instead of processing the withdrawal, ProMarkets demanded an additional 10% fee, amounting to €500, purportedly to release the funds. The victim complied, only to be hit with another demand for a €500 commission fee. Despite complying with all demands, the withdrawal has still not been processed.

From December 2023 to February 2024, email exchanges between the victim and ProMarkets' support team exposed a continuous loop of excuses and barriers erected by the broker. The victim's frustration was palpable, especially after they achieved the required balance and yet faced new, baseless requirements for more deposits.
Key moments in the correspondence include
December 20, 2023: Despite meeting the withdrawal conditions, the client was told they lacked sufficient “signal” and needed to invest more.
January 14, 2024: The client's protests were met with false promises and delays, revealing a pattern of deceit.
February 21, 2024: A so-called compromise was suggested by ProMarkets, further exemplifying the manipulation tactics employed.



Lack of Regulation: ProMarkets operates without a formal license, thus it is not subject to regulatory control that protects investors from fraudulent activity.
Financial Manipulation: The broker's consistent pattern of requiring more money to release funds already earned by the client is a classic sign of a scam.
Legal Implications: The client has reported these activities to the authorities, suggesting potential legal actions against the broker for fraudulent behavior and breach of trust.
This alarming narrative serves as a clear warning to all prospective investors to exercise extreme care and check the regulatory status of any trading platform. Investments made with unlicensed brokers such as ProMarkets have the potential to result in substantial financial losses and legal complexities. Before making any financial commitments, it is crucial to continually check the complete license and regulatory status of any investment platform via a reputable firm.
This particular instance serves to illuminate the unethical conduct shown by ProMarkets, while also emphasizing the significance of investor diligentness in the era of digitalization. It is strongly advised that prospective investors exercise caution when encountering offers that seem excessively favorable and instead engage in comprehensive investigation before making any investment assumptions.

Disclaimer:
The views in this article only represent the author's personal views, and do not constitute investment advice on this platform. This platform does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of the information in the article, and will not be liable for any loss caused by the use of or reliance on the information in the article.

Investment scams recorded the highest amount of losses, at about $145.4 million, in the first half of 2025.

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