CNMV Warns of Clone Sites Targeting EU Investors

In a growing trend that‘s raising alarm bells across Europe, Spain’s financial regulator CNMV has recently published an updated list of suspicious websites posing as licensed investment firms. The report, based on alerts received from fellow regulators in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Italy, reveals that dozens of websites are using cloned branding, fake emails, and fraudulent domain names to deceive investors.

Among the most prominent names on the warning list are Golding Capital, Cliffs International Lux, Accendo Capital, Union Bancaire Privée, and Mirabaud & Cie—all of which were impersonated by fraudulent websites operating with similar domain names and email addresses. These sites often copy logos, use real-sounding contact information, and offer investment or crypto services, while having no affiliation with the legitimate institutions they mimic.

Many of these operations are registered offshore, making them difficult to trace and prosecute. Others rely on aggressive outreach via emails, messaging apps, and paid ads to attract retail investors, especially those seeking crypto or high-yield financial products. In several cases, regulators noted that victims were contacted through domains like @goldingcapital.org, @capitalguidance-lu.com, and @tareno-iw.com, all designed to look nearly identical to real, regulated entities.

Regulators from Luxembourg‘s CSSF, Italy’s CONSOB, and the Netherlands AFM have also taken coordinated actions, including requesting ISPs to block public access to many of these fraudulent domains within their respective countries.

The CNMV urges retail investors in Spain and throughout Europe to remain vigilant when approached by unknown financial service providers—especially those offering unusually high returns or pressuring quick decisions. More importantly, investors are advised to check the legitimacy of any broker or platform before depositing funds.

To verify whether a broker is properly regulated and to read user reviews, investors can use the WikiFX platform. WikiFX aggregates global license information, regulatory warnings, and user feedback, making it easier for users to identify risky brokers and potential scams.

As digital fraud continues to evolve, clone websites are becoming one of the most dangerous threats to retail traders. Always double-check domain names, email addresses, and regulatory status before engaging with any online broker.