The only number that matters is the one you can withdraw.
The line is “Guaranteed returns. Our members doubled their money this month.” Then you ask for your money and meet the fee that unlocks it.
General information about scams, drawn from UK, US and Australian authorities and labelled by country. It isn’t investment advice. A firm appearing on a register doesn’t make an investment safe or suitable, and Scam Finder’s checks don’t assess investments or whether a financial firm is authorised. Use your regulator for that.
Meridian Apex Capital
Portfolio · Markets · Withdraw
Total balance
$48,210.66
+$1,933.40 today
Premium plan: guaranteed 12% a week
Withdrawal request
$48,210.66
On hold: tax clearance required
Pay 20% capital gains tax to release your funds.
Send $9,642.13 in USDT
TQ7fK2…example…9xP2
Daniel, your account managerAlmost there! Everyone pays this once, then it releases.
It’s a website that displays a number.
- 1
The balance is typed in
The FTC (US) is blunt: the site looks real, but it’s fake, and so are its promises. Polish proves nothing either way, and a rising line shows only that someone drew one.
- 2
A guarantee
The FTC (US) says nobody can guarantee you’ll make money. Treat the word as a reason to leave.
- 3
Tax, paid to the platform
The FTC (US) says no real business or government agency will demand crypto for taxes or fines. The FBI (US) sees taxes and fees used this way to keep victims paying.
- 4
Paying to get paid
The FBI (US) says criminals keep the bulk of the money even when the fees are paid.
- 5
A friend who can’t let it drop
The FCA (UK) says scammers flatter you and may build a friendship. If a new online love interest wants you to send money to invest, the FTC (US) calls that a scam.
Watch the two columns pull apart.
The left column is a number on a website. The right is real money leaving your bank. All figures are an invented example.
A stranger finds you
A call, a chat group, a celebrity ad or a new online love interest. The FCA (UK), Scamwatch (Australia) and the FTC (US) describe these openings.
- On screen
- $0
- You’ve sent
- $0
You try a small amount
The site looks real and shows your deposit straight away.
- On screen
- $500
- You’ve sent
- $500
You withdraw some, and it works
The FBI (US) warns that criminals allow small early withdrawals to build trust. This may be the most expensive $100 you ever receive.
- On screen
- $640
- You’ve sent
- $400
You put in serious money
The balance climbs. Your account manager is delighted for you.
- On screen
- $48,210
- You’ve sent
- $18,400
You ask for all of it
Now it’s tax, a fee or a verification deposit. The FBI (US) says criminals keep the bulk of the funds even when victims pay.
- On screen
- On hold
- You’ve sent
- $28,042
Someone offers to get it back
The FCA (UK) calls this a recovery room. They may pose as a regulator or police, and they want an upfront fee.
- On screen
- Gone
- You’ve sent
- Still rising
Check the regulator before the returns.
Find the firm on your regulator’s own site.
Type the address yourself. The FCA (UK) says never to use a link from an email or a company’s website to reach its checker. Being listed is where your checks start, and says nothing about whether an investment suits you.
Then use only the contact details listed there.
The FCA (UK) warns that scammers pose as authorised firms with websites that look identical. Contact the firm through the register’s details.
Give a celebrity endorsement zero weight.
The FTC (US) says testimonials and famous names are no proof. Scamwatch (Australia) flags celebrity recommendations, “news articles” and invitations to investment chat groups.
Scamwatch (Australia)Don’t treat a small withdrawal as proof.
The FBI (US) describes early withdrawals as a trust-building step. Getting a little of your own money back doesn’t show the rest is there.
Hang up on any deadline.
The FCA’s (UK) advice for pressure to act quickly is to hang up and ignore the message.
Where to look a firm up.
United Kingdom
- Use the FCA Firm Checker, and check the FCA Warning List. Unsure? Call the FCA on 0800 111 6768.FCA Firm Checker
- If a firm isn’t authorised with the right permissions, you won’t have the Financial Ombudsman or FSCS behind you.
United States
- Investor.gov has a free search for registered investment professionals.Investor.gov
- FINRA warns that some fraudsters falsely claim registration and doctor BrokerCheck records. Search the site yourself and ignore anything they send you.FINRA
Australia
- Check for an Australian financial services (AFS) licence and search Moneysmart’s investor alert list.Scamwatch
Asked for one more payment? Stop here.
Don’t pay the fee
The FBI’s (US) advice is not to pay additional fees or taxes to get your money back.
Report it to the exchange or bank
The FTC (US) says crypto payments typically can’t be reversed. Tell the exchange about the receiving wallet anyway, and tell your bank about any transfers. Recovery isn’t guaranteed.
Expect a recovery call
The FCA (UK) says fraud reports are only shared between law enforcement agencies, so a private firm shouldn’t know your loss. End contact if they ask for a fee or bank details.
Sources and review
- Reviewed
- 2 November 2026
- Review due
- 2 February 2027
- Owner
- Scam Finder
General guidance, not legal or financial advice. Rules depend on your country, provider and payment. This guide names UK, US and Australian rules where it can. Elsewhere, check with your national consumer or fraud authority. Example companies, people and figures are invented.