FMA releases warnings and alerts List (as at 27/3/2025)

On March 26, 2025, the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand (FMA) issued a list of investor alerts, reaffirming its determination to safeguard the stability of financial markets and protect the rights and interests of investors.

FMA, as New Zealand's main financial market behavior regulator, has always taken the promotion of fair, efficient, and transparent financial markets as its core mission. A detailed list of unauthorized entities operating in the market to defraud investors is included in the list. These illegal subjects have various means, some of which are disguised as formal investment institutions, using similar names and attractive investment schemes to entice investors to enter the market; others use high-yield commitments as bait to fabricate false talk of 'zero risk and high return ' in an attempt to defraud investors ' funds.

Taking past cases as a mirror, there have been criminals who have carried out investment consulting business without FMA authorization, peddled stocks recommended by so-called “internal news ” to investors, and induced investors to trade. They seek illegal interests for themselves, resulting in serious losses to many investors. By issuing this alert list, FMA aims to provide investors with a clear risk warning, reminding them to carefully verify the qualifications of their investors before undertaking any investment activities.

FMA issued warnings on multiple investment scams in March 2025. “Deposit comparison” websites linked to scams claim to compare NZ investments, guarantee returns, and prompt users to submit personal and investment details. Scammers then contact victims with higher-return offers, send non-compliant PDSs, and trick them into transferring funds.

Ashbourne Wealth Management, a fake online platform, posts social media ads, offers quick-growing investments, and tricks victims into paying withdrawal fees. Victims may unknowingly become money mules when receiving and forwarding funds from recovery-room scam victims.

Capital Growth Partners Trade withholds investor funds and displays fake incorporation certificates. Its neither registered in NZ nor authorized to offer financial services.

To learn more about the previous warning lists, you can search for “FMA warns and alerts New Zealand unregulated brokers in January 2025” or “Your February 2025 FMA Scam Warning List: Entities to Avoid in New Zealand” in the WikiFX Foreign Exchange Encyclopedia section.