Investment adverts using a famous face
An advert claims a well-known British figure has endorsed a trading platform with guaranteed returns.
How this scam works
An advert appears on Facebook or in a fake news article. It shows a familiar British face, often a broadcaster or entrepreneur, apparently recommending a trading system that made them a fortune. The article looks like it comes from a real newspaper.
You put in £250 to try it. A friendly "account manager" rings and is very encouraging. Your online dashboard shows the money growing quickly, so you invest more. The dashboard is a piece of software with no money behind it.
When you try to withdraw, there is a fee. Then a tax. Then a verification charge. Each one is a further payment and the withdrawal never arrives.
No legitimate investment guarantees returns. None. The celebrities in these adverts have not endorsed anything and are usually campaigning against them.
Warning signs
- A celebrity endorsement in an advert or "news" article
- Guaranteed or unusually high returns
- A personal "account manager" who rings often and encourages bigger deposits
- Fees required before you can withdraw your own money
- The firm is not on the FCA register
What to do
- Check every firm on the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk before paying anything.
- Treat any guaranteed return as proof of a scam.
- Never pay a fee to release your own money.
- Report the advert to the platform it appeared on.
If it has already happened to you
This happens to sensible, careful people every day. What matters now is acting quickly.
- Stop all payments immediately, including any "release fee".
- Contact your bank or card provider and ask about a chargeback.
- Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at actionfraud.police.uk.
- Be wary of "recovery agents" who contact you afterwards. They are usually the same criminals coming back for more.
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Check a messageLast updated 29 September 2026. Source: FCA ScamSmart.