Abstract:BaFin has flagged a growing list of online platforms operating without authorisation in Germany. Many are linked to unlicensed activity and misleading branding tactics.
Germanys financial regulator BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) has recently issued a series of public warnings against a growing number of websites offering financial, investment, and cryptoasset services without proper authorisation. These platforms are not supervised by BaFin, and in several cases, are suspected of identity fraud or cloning legitimate institutions.
According to the regulator, any entity wishing to operate within Germanys financial markets must first obtain appropriate authorisation. However, BaFin has discovered that many companies continue to offer services illegally, posing a direct risk to consumers and investors.
In its latest warnings, BaFin has listed multiple suspicious domains. These include:
Several of the listed websites were found to use the names and branding of real financial institutions, a practice known as cloning. In such cases, fake entities mimic the look and feel of authorised companies, sometimes even copying legal disclaimers or offering nearly identical websites, which misleads consumers into thinking the service is legitimate.
BaFin has clarified that none of these platforms are licensed, and their activities are being actively investigated.
Investors in Germany are urged to exercise extreme caution when engaging with online financial platforms. Before depositing funds or providing personal information, users should verify:
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