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Warnings and alerts

This list contains the names of businesses or individuals you should be wary of if you are planning to invest. The list is not exhaustive and there is no guarantee that the business or individual listed has not changed their name.

Before you invest, we recommend that you take steps to protect yourself from being scammed and check the provider is listed on the Financial Service Providers register (FSPR). The FSPR can help you:

  • obtain a business address
  • see the types of financial services the registered company, or individual, provides to customers. Some examples include; money transfers, investment management or financial advice 
  • see any licences or an authorisation status that the company or individual may have
  • see what dispute resolution scheme they belong to.

You may also wish to refer to the IOSCO investor alert list for international scam alerts.

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How to report a scam

Contact the FMA if the scam relates to an illegal investment offer or scheme. Please ensure you include your contact details so that we can be in touch.

Consumer Protection’s Scamwatch publishes a list of scam alerts. You can report a scam on their website too.

Department of Internal Affairs lists a range of scams by format, eg, email, text message, phone, fax and postal scams. You can report scams to them, including forwarding text message scams to the free shortcode 7726 (SPAM).

IOSCO investor alerts list

IOSCO Investor alerts list

IOSCO receives alerts and warnings from its members about firms which are not authorized to provide investment services in the jurisdiction which issued the alert or warning.

How to request that a warning be removed

If you believe that a warning has been published in error, or there are other good reasons for us to take down a warning that has been published, please contact us, providing the following information:

  • your contact details
  • the warning you would like removed
  • your reasons why the FMA should take down the notice
  • evidence to support your reasons.

We will assess your request and, if appropriate, remove the notice as soon as possible. The more information you provide, the easier it will be for us to act quickly.

We may contact and consult with other people who have an interest in the outcome of a request to remove a warning.

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Found 501 results. Displaying page 1 of 26

    • Unregistered business

    23 July 2021

    Vivier and Company Limited

    The FMA are concerned that materials and information published by Vivier and Company Limited (Vivier) on the internet and on its website have the potential to mislead investors that Vivier provides financial services in New Zealand or from New Zealand. The Court of Appeal decision in 2016 noted that Vivier does not provide financial services in New Zealand or from a place of business in New Zealand.

    https://fma.cwp.govt.nz/news-and-resources/warnings-and-alerts/vivier-and-company-limited/

    • Imposter website
    • Suspected scam

    14 July 2021

    jmitfs.com

    We are concerned the operators of the website www.jmitfs.com may be operating a scam. The website falsely claims to be Jmit Financial Services Limited, an entity incorporated in New Zealand and registered as a Financial Service Provider. We understand the website is using the New Zealand companies details without permission.

    https://fma.cwp.govt.nz/news-and-resources/warnings-and-alerts/jmitfs-com/

    • Unregistered business
    • Suspected scam

    30 June 2021

    Ventera Group

    We have received a report of Ventera Group using the name and image of a well-known New Zealand public figure to promote their services. The entity does not hold a Derivative Issuer License and is not a registered financial service provider in New Zealand or licensed by the FMA. As such, they are not permitted to offer derivative trading services to New Zealand retail customers.

    https://fma.cwp.govt.nz/news-and-resources/warnings-and-alerts/ventera-group/

    • Unregistered business
    • Suspected scam

    27 May 2021

    Reliance Trading Co Limited

    We are concerned that Reliance Trading Co Limited may be operating a scam. We have received a report of the entity offering ‘Pre-IPO’ shares in companies. This is a common hallmark of shares scams. Reliance Trading Co Limited is not a registered New Zealand company and is not registered to provide financial products or services to New Zealand residents. We recommend exercising caution when dealing with this entity.

    https://fma.cwp.govt.nz/news-and-resources/warnings-and-alerts/reliance-trading-co-limited/

    26 May 2021

    Karatbars International GmbH, Karatbit Foundation and associated companies, Freebay

    We recommend exercising caution before dealing with Karatbars International GbmH, Karatbit Foundation and associated companies as they are not registered companies or financial service providers in New Zealand. Seminars have been held in both Auckland and Christchurch. We have been made aware that Karatbars is associated with Freebay.

    https://fma.cwp.govt.nz/news-and-resources/warnings-and-alerts/karatbars-international-gmbh-karatbit-foundation-and-associated-companies-freebay/