Beware! Share Founders 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.
Share Founders is a Forex brokerage supposedly based in Hong Kong. It provides the MetaTrader5 trading platform and a seemingly attractive spread of just 1 pip on EUR/USD, however, further information remains undisclosed and the legitimacy of the brokerage is put under question.
Share Founders regulation & safety of funds
From the brokers website we find out that the company is registered under the name Bitrix Tech Limited in Hong Kong. Readers are reminded that brokerages registered in Hong Kong have to be licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in order to operate legally in the territory of the country. After needlessly checking the registry of the SFC we can safely conclude that the brokerage is not among the list of licensees. On top of all this it appears that the SCF of Hong Kong have blacklisted Star Trader and warned traders not to contract its services. All in all, the lack of regulation inclines us to suspect that potential client’s funds may be at risk.
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 FCA 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. With the FCA the compensation is up to 85 000 pounds, where as with CySEC it is up to 20 000 euro per person.
Share Founders trading software
The brokerage does provide the MetaTrader 4 trading platform which is something we always consider advantageous for potential clients since the MT4 is among the foremost trading terminals in Forex trading at the moment, close to 80 percent of users prefer it. The platform provides an advanced charting package, lots of technical indicators, extensive back-testing environment and a variety of Expert Advisors (EAs). There is also an available test-drive which is a nice surprise since unregulated brokerages rarely offer a demo account. We do see a wide range of trading options, however, the spread for the most basic account exceeds the industry average at 2.8 pips and is quite unfavorable for interested traders.
Share Founders deposit/withdrawal methods and fees
Potential clients of the brokerage may deposit or withdraw via VISA and MasterCard, Bank wire, however, popular e-wallets such as Skrill are missing. While going through the brokers terms and conditions we couldn’t find anything especially unsettling, however, we can’t be sure whether the brokerage won’t charge any unexpected fees once the initial deposit is made. This is why we remind readers of all the ways a trader may test the brokerage’s intentions. Firstly, traders are advised to always put up only the required minimum deposit, instead of risking a bigger amount with no certainty. Afterwards, they may also try to withdraw a small amount in order to check for any unexpected fees or delays. Such fees and delays are usually the signs of a scammer.
How does the scam work?
Even though the forex trading world is extremely large and encompasses millions of people around the globe, the most common scamming is pretty simple and straightforward and as such – it’s not particularly daring to avoid. Here is a quick overview of how it is done:
Through clicking an ad with promises for fast money, you will be redirected to a website such as Bitcoin Evolution or The bitcoin miner where registration will require you to give your address, email and phone number. After sharing your personal information, you will being receiving calls from brokers, compelling you to invest with them and win big. After a few minutes hearing their pitches, you decide to deposit some $200-250. And just like that – the scammers take a fat commission from this initial deposit.
After they are done with you, senior scammers begin working you into putting even more money. They say it’s the only way to profit from trading even more. After making the mistake of investing even further, you’ll begin wanting to get out of this and withdraw what you have left.
Unfortunately, the con-artists have no such thing in mind. They will now begin persuading you to wait it out and not withdraw right now. The angle here is pretty blunt – traders have a limited time period for filing achargeback with their bank and get their money back. The “recovery department” will simply want to mislead you into missing thе crucial period and, along the way, losing any chance you might have of getting the money back.
It is important here to take notice that both Visa and MasterCard are taking measures to combat unregulated forex brokerages by classifying all forex transactions as high risk. And they are correct in doing so. Furthermore, supporting their intention with clear actions – MasterCard has increased the previous time period of six months for filing a chargeback to a year and a half.
What to do when scammed?
As was mentioned above, scamming is quite the common in the trading world and, sadly, even you might suffer from it. In such an unfortunate case there still may be some available options for you.
You may contact your bank or credit card provider and file a chargeback.
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 to recover their losses. They will require an “up-front” payment to help you, but after paying them, no such help will be coming your way!u
Mr Wright
This group are total Fraudsters Stay away!
Peter Smith
Absolutely true Mr Wright. I tried this myself, initially invested the £250 and got assigned a Broker, Roy Goldman. It started off with a couple of dollars here and there as a profit and then came the offer of making thousands by investing nearly £6000 in Bitcoin. This was just 4 days after starting. Meanwhile the initial account lost about 50%. After showing no interest in a bigger investment I was abandoned by the broker. I went alone and recovered the loss with a small profit and decided to quit. I completed the withdrawal info and told the broker I was finishing. A little later the withdrawal was rejected and I asked why. I was told that I had filled the form in wrong? Name, Amount, Bank, Account Number, really. The broker told me he had closed the account, without my authorisation and had refunded, but when I checked the profit was still in the account. I questioned this and he claimed that there were normally fees that he had waived. Rubbish as the account was still open. I questioned again and suddenly the account closed without my profit repaid. Broker claimed it was his fees?
Jyo
Hi
Peter Smith, what you said is 100% correct. Roy Goldman is a total fraud.
not sure why your review on other website is flagged. terrible experience with share founders.
People please avoid this fraud broker and company. You will loose you life time savings.
Jyo
Stay away from this broker, not regulated by FCA, black listed in Hongkong. cannot contact them as wrong phone number on website and phone number changed this week also don’t work. No rely to mails. we cannot contact them as the numbers they call from don’t work. total fraud and scammers. Please avoid, don’t invest your money with offshore brokers who don’t have licence or authorisation to operate.
pete smith
Hi Jyo
For info this company has now vanished, but….. a company called Grandunionmarkets is now operating at exactly the same address with the same contact numbers and I reckon is run by the same fraudsters, operating the same scam with a new name.
Mr Davies
I got totally scammed as well. Had a broker called David Borg for Sharefounders, I’ve recorded most of his phone calls,we used the messaging app called Signal to make contact. Used Metatrade 4 and he also got access via Anytrader. Started off at $250 then he was pressuring me to put more in which I did regrettably. He blackmailed me if I did not add more money by saying that he won’t be doing daily contacts as he will be busy with other traders but if I invest more then it will be ok. He reckoned that he was in Frankfurt. Ai still have his Signal and all the apps that I used on my laptop. Halifax closed my account due to this company. Stay well away. Wish I could get my money back.
Wendy
Me too – then I had ‘ pay the Insurence fee’ and you can then get the losing trade money back.
They wanted £30k. Needless to say I did t send it but I Stil Gave them £1000’s to invest. Won’t see that again. Bastards!!
Paul Howard Williams
Same here. Same MO. Roy Goldman is scum. When I complained he even blamed me for ruining “our friendship”. They are not in Frankfurt. I contacted the local police and the address Roy supplied on an invoice is fake. I am currently trying ActionFraud in the UK and the SEC in the US. Spread the word and find a way to shut them down.
Problem is that Sharefounders are now Grand Union Markets. Same people, Roy Goldman and David Borg. Watch out for a girl named Victoria I think it is. Same bunch of shisters.
Coming for you Roy. Pray I never catch up !
Wendy
Give him a slap for me if you find him!!
Daniel
I got totally scummed as well. Another name to the collection of scumbags is Ben Diab. Stay away from them. Even if it looks like you are making money they will NEVER give you the money.
Jyo
Scam company.. Scammed by Roy Goldman
Previously they used to operate with different companies, I was scammed and did some research and with help of UK authorities found that all the below companies belong to same people and same way of scamming.
Share founders
Grand Union Markets
Online market shares
Navagates and now Delta Markets
Batan
Hi guys. I agree with all. Total fraud. Add two more names Erik Mazur and George Limski. Report to action fraud please. I think its the same fraudsters operating with different names.
Batan
Hi guys. ShareFounders total scammers. Add two more names george limski and Erik mazur Biggest fraudsters, blackmailers and manipulaters. I dont believe how i got caught in their trap. They dont realise they are ruining someones life. I just hope they get punished for what they have done.
PS please everyone we need to make everyone aware of these scammers. Report to action fraud. I know the process is long but your single comment or report can save an innocent victim. Stay blessed guys. Happy holidays.
Roger
I am currently being pursued by a guy (Scott Wilson) who is trying to ‘recover’ my investment for me. I too invested a small ‘toe in the water’ of $300 initially and was abandoned by my contact (who because very rude and loud) because I refused to increase the amount. That was September last year. Right out of the blue, I was recently contacted by Scott Wilson referring to the investment. He has been trying to ‘recover my investment (he says is around £5000+ now ???) with the use of a credit card and bank account. He wanted to use the card to ‘link’ with the bank by withdrawing a ‘small’ (£500) amount so he could then repay my £5000+. He tried this several times, using the exchange named ‘Switchere’ (who are genuine). My bank has always blocked the withdrawal and the card has been changed. This Scott is still pursuing me.
Roger
Forgot to say – Ben Diab and Christina Berg were my two ‘contact’ for the investment and both treated me exactly the same. Very friendly to start , then more aggressive when I refused to increase the amount, and then abandoned me. Typical human trash.