Beware! AvasTradeFX is an offshore broker! Your investment may be at risk.
RECOMMENDED FOREX BROKERS
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Open trading accounts with at least two brokers.
AvasTradeFX is a Forex brokerage presumably registered in the Marshall Islands. Traders are provided with a web-based trading platform and the required minimum deposit is $300 which is not too high above the industry average of $250 which we consider the maximum amount before it gets disadvantageous for clients to invest. Further trading conditions, however, remain unclear.
AvasTradeFX regulation & safety of funds
We have come across several binary options brokerages such as AvasTradeFX with almost identical websites and trading conditions – all of which claim to be owned and operated by Gembell Limited. Another example is DigitalTrade FX. The company itself is registered offshore in the Marshall Islands. As we have stated countless times – the Marshall Islands is perhaps the most preferred location for would-be scammers due to its very liberal laws regarding the registering of companies. The government does not even require for someone to be physically there in order to register a company. It goes without saying that such a loophole has not gone unnoticed and ill-minded brokers have taken advantage of it. It’s safe to assume that “Gembell Limited” does not fall under any regulatory oversight because the government of the Marshall Islands does not include Forex trading within its regulatory framework.
On the website of the brokerage we came across the same statement we saw on the other broker brand of Gembell Limited – BinomoFX – that the brokerage falls under the regulatory oversight of the International Financial Market Relations Regulation Center (IFMRRC). Here is a screenshot of the license: 
That may be so but the “IFMRRC” remains a simple website, not backed up by any relevant government authorities, which issues phony so-called licenses to shady brokerages which are probably cronies. Being licensed by such an “establishment” does not get you far in Forex trading and it cannot compare with strict rules employed by regulatory agencies such as the NFA or FMA. AvasTradeFX does offer a web-based trading platform which we could get a look at. However, the platform itself is quite disappointing and we aren’t quite sure that exactly the brokerage is offering. All in all, traders are warned no to risk it with . We urge traders to avoid risk by trading only with brokerages that have been licensed by a top-notch regulatory body. Traders needn’t have to worry themselves with such risk if they choose to trade with a brokerage regulated and authorized by a prestigious regulatory agency. Such agencies are the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK or CySEC in Cyprus which have been leading names in Forex trading for some time now. Their regulatory framework is composed of a number of strict rules which prevent clients from falling victims to fraud. Such rules include the segregation of accounts which assures that commingling with the client’s money is not possible. Furthermore, a license by such a regulatory body entails participation in a financial mechanism by which clients may be compensated if they suffer losses due to fraud or bankruptcy. The FCA compensates traders up to 85 000 pounds where as CySEC guarantees up to 20 000 euro per person.AvasTradeFX deposit/withdrawal methods and fees
Putting aside everything said about the brokerage, we have to point out that the clients of AvastTradeFX are provided with one of the most impressive selection of payment methods, including a number of popular e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller, PayPal, PerfectMoney, WebMoney, Epay, QIWI, FasaPay, UnionPay, Baokim, Nganluong, Payeer, Payza, Alipay, GiroPay, AdvCash, CashU and Sofort, as well as many crypto coins – Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Monero, Zcash, Ripple and Dashas well the standard Visa and MasterCard. Here is a screenshot:
How does the scam work?
Unfortunately, much of the forex trading world is overshadowed by the huge numbers of scammers. All a trader may do is be well-informed and, in case he is the subject of a fraud – stay calm and not panic! The chance for panic is greatly reduced if such a situation does not take you by surprise. Here are the available options for scammed traders: In most cases through clicking a tempting ad with promises for fast money, you will be redirected to a website such as The News Spy or Bitcoin Evolution where registration will require you to give your address, email and phone number. Your personal information will be immediately shared with brokers in call centers who are just waiting for juicy leads. After a few minutes hearing how the millions are sure to flow your way, you decide to deposit some $200-250. And just like that – the scammers take a 25 per cent commission from this initial deposit. After leading you by the nose for a few hundred bucks, senior scammers will take you up and begin pushing you to further invest. You may even be swayed and further give it a shot. At this point, regardless whether you are in the red or not, you probably begin to consider closing the account and getting back your money. However, now comes the “recovery” part of the scam. After stating that you wish to withdraw your money, they will know its time to redirect you to the “recovery people” who will further stall you in any way possible. The angle here is simple – remove the last guard you may have – filing a chargeback with your bank. You may do that only during a limited time-window, once it passes – your money is gone for good.What to do when scammed?
Unfortunately, much of the forex trading world is overshadowed by the huge numbers of scammers. All a trader may do is be well-informed and, in case he is the subject of a fraud – stay calm and not panic! The chance for panic is greatly reduced if such a situation does not take you by surprise. Here are the available options for scammed traders: You may contact your bank or credit card provider and file a chargeback, , as was noted above. The high instances of fraud have provoked both Visa and MasterCard to take effective measures against scammers in the business. Keeping true to their intentions, MasterCard has already increased the previous time period of six months for filing a chargeback to a year and a half. If, however, you have provided the broker with your credit card details, immediately cancel your credit card. If you have given information regarding your online banking pass – you should switch it asap! Beware of potential calls from self-described “recovery agencies”! They prey on scammed and vulnerable traders who are desperate and ready at anything to somehow retrieve their funds. They will say that in exchange for an up-front payment, you will get your money back, but no such thing will occur!
