Fake Broker Clones: How Fraudsters Copy Websites to Deceive Investors

Official Warning

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has issued a public warning against a series of clone companies that falsely claim ties to the licensed entity Alchemy Markets Ltd. According to the regulator, firms such as Prudentxm Forums Ltd, Optima WX Trading Ltd, Unrivaled Tx Growth Ltd, Investing Pips Ltd and others are not authorized to provide investment services. These websites imitate the look and structure of regulated brokers, misleading investors into believing they are dealing with a licensed entity.

Copy-Paste Templates for Fraud

A closer look reveals that these suspicious sites rely on identical templates, using the same layout, graphics, and even duplicated logos. This low-cost “copy-and-paste” strategy allows fraudsters to create multiple fake brands quickly, giving the false impression of a legitimate network of companies.

Fake Claims of Regulation

One of the most common tricks used by these clones is to publish fabricated regulatory information. For example, some sites falsely claim to be licensed by the MFSA or display logos of other financial authorities, hoping to win investor trust. In some cases, they even list well-known financial institutions or auditing firms as “partners” to enhance credibility. These claims are entirely false and serve only to disguise the absence of real oversight.

Why Verification Matters

The exposure of these cloned brokers shows that a polished website or repeated claims of regulation mean very little without independent confirmation. Fraudulent operators deliberately exploit the reputation of real regulators and institutions to lure investors. Verification is therefore not a formality but the only way to distinguish between a licensed broker and a fabricated copy.