How To File A Complaint Against Suspected Online Trading Fraud

Updated for 2019

Either you suspect you may be, or you know are a victim of trading fraud and you are doing everything you can to get justice. Perhaps you have already opened a case with a scam recovery company like ours but you want to make sure that other traders do not make the same mistake. So where do you report it? Below, we have compiled a comprehensive list of agencies that you can make a report to. It is organized by region. You can scroll down to your country, or just click on it from the list below and follow the link to file a complaint.

When you file your complaint, make sure to provide as much information as possible. Do not leave anything out no matter how trivial you think it may be. Include names, addresses, any financial institutions involved.

If you received any threats of violence, be sure to report it to local police authorities.

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United Kingdom
United States
European Union
Australia
New Zealand
South Africa
Cyprus
Israel

United Kingdom

For the UK, you should be reporting your case to two agencies. First, report your case to Citizen’s Advice here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/reporting-a-scam/

Once you have done so, also report the scam to Action Fraud: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime

Is the scam based outside of the UK?

Then, you should report it here is well: https://www.econsumer.gov/en/Home/FileAComplaint/1#crnt

United States

The US has a reputation for going after trading fraud aggressively. In recent news, there have been a string of arrests in the trading fraud category. Reporting your case to them can make a real difference. To report a trading scam to the FTC, click here: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov

You can also submit complaints to the following agencies. We recommend you file a report with all of them:

Consumer Finance: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

eConsumer.gov https://www.econsumer.gov/en/Home/FileAComplaint/1#crnt

The FBI: https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

The SEC: https://www.sec.gov/tcr

European Union

If you are based in the EU, you should report online trading scams to the European Unions Anti-Fraud Office here: https://ec.europa.eu/anti-fraud/contacts/fraud-reporting-form_en

To report to specific countries in the European Union, Europol provides and excellent resource here: https://www.europol.europa.eu/report-a-crime/report-cybercrime-online

Australia

In Australia, you can report online trading fraud to the ACCC here: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam

You can also file a report with ASIC here: https://compliance.asic.gov.au/#/form/583b77dc397bbc319837ea2a. However, before filing a report with ASIC, make sure to read the information here: https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/contact-us/how-to-complain/report-misconduct-to-asic/

Don’t forget to also file a report with the Australian Fair Trading. You can do so on their website found here: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-services/scams/report-a-scam-or-cybercrime

Additionally, there is a government organization called ACORN dedicated to protecting Australians from scams. A report against an online trading platform can be made here: https://report.acorn.gov.au/

New Zealand

Hopefully, in a sign that the government is committed to protecting its citizens, there are a number of places to report scams in New Zealand. Remember, this is not about getting your money back. It is about doing your part to protect your fellow citizens, family, and friends, as well as to hold the scammers accountable. The more pressure we can put on them, the better.

NetSafe – Netsafe takes reports whether or not the scam occurred on the web. To file a report, follow his link: https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/scamwatch/report-a-scam/. For a direct link to the form, click here: http://www.theorb.org.nz/. I’m not sure if this goes elsewhere but there is another NetSafe form here that you can make a report with as well: https://report.netsafe.org.nz/hc/en-au/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000024755.

New Zealand Scam Watch, also provided by consumerprotection.gov, has a number of resources related to scams. You can read more about them here: https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/scamwatch/

It may be worth filing a report with the SFO Serious Fraud Office. They specialize in investigating fraud that has a large impact, is on a large scale, is complex, and is in the public interest. Depending on the type of scam you were involved in, it may mee the above criteria. If you aren’t sure, it is best to file a report and let them decide: https://www.sfo.govt.nz/complaints

The Commerce Commission is tasked with protecting New Zealand commerce. Since online trading scams are a form of commerce, you should definitely report it to them as well: https://comcom.govt.nz/make-a-complaint/complaint-form

South Africa

Unfortunately, South Africa is known to be a scam hotbed so I’m not sure what that says about the efficaciousness of reporting fraud. Nevertheless, if you want to make a report, it is probably better than not doing so.

The first step is to report the fraud to the National Consumer Commission here: http://www.thencc.gov.za/. You will click on “COMPLAINTS” on the right side and a form will download. Complete the form and email it to Complaints@thencc.org.za.

If you are the scammer are based in Western Cape, you can file a complaint here via this emaiol address: shamielahi@pprotect.org

Cyprus

The Cypriot government is not known for being on top of bad brokers. However some chanegs were made in 2015 and a new reporting mechanism was put in place to report trading fraud. To make a complaint, email complaints@financialombudsman.gov.cy.

You can also file a complaint against the broker if they are registered with CYSEC, teh Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission: https://www.cysec.gov.cy/en-GB/complaints/how-to-complain/

Israel

In Israel, you can file a complaint with the Israel Consumer Council. Unfortunately, the complaint form is only available in Hebrew. You can use Google Translate to translate the form fields and fill in the fields in English: http://www.consumers.org.il/category/complaint-form

You can also file a complaint with the Fair Trade Authority here: https://www.gov.il/en/service/filing_a_complaint_to_fair_trade_authority