CleverwaysPractical UK scam guidance

Investments and cryptocurrency

An investment or crypto opportunity that promises easy returns

A polished platform, convincing adviser or rising account balance is not proof that an investment is genuine. Pause and check the firm, permissions and contact details independently before paying.
Reviewed 29 August 2026 Next review 29 November 2026

What to do first

  1. Stop before sending money, transferring crypto or paying a further fee. Step away from the advert, message or caller while you check.
  2. Use the FCA Firm Checker or Financial Services Register independently. Check the exact firm, its permissions and the contact details shown there, because criminals can copy an authorised firm.
  3. Search the FCA Warning List as an additional check. A missing warning does not prove that a firm or offer is safe.
  4. If you already paid, contact your bank or payment provider promptly. If crypto was transferred, contact the exchange through its official support route and keep wallet addresses and transaction IDs.
  5. Report the concern to the FCA and use the police reporting route for where you live. Be ready for follow-up offers claiming they can recover the money for a fee.

Warning signs

  • Unexpected contact, a social-media advert or a supposed celebrity endorsement leading to an investment platform.
  • Guaranteed, unusually high or steady returns, especially when the investment is described as low risk.
  • Pressure to act quickly, keep the opportunity private or avoid speaking to your bank, family or an independent adviser.
  • A professional-looking dashboard showing profits that cannot be withdrawn without paying tax, commission, insurance or another charge.
  • Requests to transfer money to a personal account, buy crypto, use a particular exchange or send funds to a wallet supplied by the promoter.
  • A firm name or reference number that appears genuine, but whose telephone number, email address or website does not match the FCA record.

What not to do

  • Do not rely only on a logo, Companies House record, FCA reference number, app-store listing, review or online trading balance.
  • Do not pay more money to release profits, unlock a withdrawal or cover supposed tax or compliance charges.
  • Do not install remote-access software or give another person control of your device or financial accounts.
  • Do not assume FCA registration means a crypto investment is protected. Most crypto-related activities remain unregulated in the UK, and Financial Ombudsman or FSCS protection will usually not apply.
  • Do not trust an unsolicited recovery company, lawyer or official who promises to retrieve losses after an upfront payment.

Sources checked

Cleverways summarises these sources in plain English. Follow the source organisation’s current instructions where they differ.