Nowadays it can be difficult to distinguish a sophisticated scam from a real investment opportunity.
You may have seen adverts on social media and search engines promising high returns on investments, like: “Double your money in 24 hours” and “Get rich with crypto now!”
They might encourage you to invest in gold, property, crypto, and even wine, with the promise of fast, and potentially life-changing returns. These ads are usually accompanied by reviews from other investors, with testimonials about all the money they’ve made.
It can be hard to spot fake websites, adverts, reviews, emails, and text messages when they look and sound like legitimate investment. So here’s a guide on how to spot a scam.
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Social media adverts offering suspiciously fast and high returns on investments with little to no risk, even if they look like they’re endorsed by a well-known celebrity, influencer, or government agency
Take the Financial Conduct Authority’s 
Search the company name online and call an independently sourced telephone number. Look for any negative reviews or comments from other consumers concerning scams
Reject cold calls. Cold calling to sell you investments is illegal. If you’re called or messaged about an investment opportunity, the safest thing to do is hang up and ignore any automated voicemail messages
Be extra cautious. It’s worth talking with a trusted family member or friend and showing them the investment opportunity, to help sense-check it’s legitimacy. If you’re unsure if the investment is suitable for your individual circumstances, seek professional advice from an authorised independent financial adviser before investing
