Platforms and Brokers

How to Spot a Fake Platform Even When It Looks Licensed

By Walid Mograbi · 2026-04-07 · 2 min read

A familiar name does not prove the site, contact details, or legal entity are real.

Why this lesson matters

A familiar name does not prove the site, contact details, or legal entity are real.

The core idea

• Look up the legal entity name and registration number in the official register, not just the logo or marketing name.
• Match the website domain, email address, and phone numbers against the register because clones often reuse most details but change one small part.
• Check official warning lists before any deposit, because a familiar name on a warning page is a stop signal, not a cosmetic detail.

Practical example

If a platform claims a regulated legal entity but its domain or support email does not match the official registry, stop before depositing.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Trusting the logo instead of the legal name
• Ignoring warning lists
• Accepting mismatched contact details

What to do next

It lowers the chance of moving money to a fake clone that borrows a real company's identity.

Important caution

A similar name to a licensed firm does not mean the site or contact number is real.

Further reading

• https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/using-financial-services-register
• https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart/about-fca-warning-list
• https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/avoid-scams-unauthorised-firms/clone-firms-individuals