IIROC is committed to protecting investors and the integrity of our markets. Our investor alerts caution Canadian investors about potential harmful activity by individuals or organizations.
We issue these alerts to the media and post them on this page and our social media accounts.
Think you've been approached with a fraudulent investment opportunity? Recognize the warning signs.
Investors can confirm investment firms are registered with IIROC.
Investors can also check the background, qualifications, and disciplinary history of investment advisors registered with IIROC by using our free AdvisorReport.
Date: May 29, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by fraudsters impersonating the former Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) in fraudulent arbitration-related communications. New SRO will never ask you for a copy of your passport, ID card, bitcoin wallet address, or for any funds.
New SRO has noted a spike in impersonation schemes. In communications with investors, fraudsters impersonate regulators, claim to be associated with legitimate firms, or pose as registered individuals. If you suspect anything unusual, always independently verify that the person calling or emailing you is the person they claim to be. Often, the name given is a real individual's name, and the fraud is only revealed by a bogus email domain or phone number. Do not rely on unsolicited information, do your own research online, and contact the individual and the organization directly to confirm it was them who contacted you.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: IIROC Impersonation
Date: May 24, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) and the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) are warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by fraudsters impersonating real investment advisors.
Recently, New SRO has noted a spike in advisor impersonation schemes. In communications with investors, fraudsters claim to be associated with legitimate firms, or pose as registered individuals. If you suspect anything unusual, always independently verify that the person calling or emailing you is the person they claim to be. Often, the name given is a registered individual's name, and the fraud is only revealed by a bogus email domain or phone number. Do not rely on unsolicited information, do your own research online, and contact the individual advisor and the firm directly to confirm it was them who had contacted you.
Fraudsters try to imitate legitimate financial institutions and send fake emails requesting personal or financial information. These are called phishing emails. Make sure you delete phishing emails and do not click on any links. They can carry harmful viruses that may infect your computer and steal your sensitive information.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Advisor Impersonation Schemes
Date: May 8, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by IB Platform a.k.a. IBANK Platform.
In social media advertisements, IB Platform or IBANK Platform is implying they are regulated by the former Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), the former Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA), and a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), by presenting information to investors with regulatory logos and generating fraudulent versions of IIROC’s Advisor Report, which are only issued for individual advisors.
Neither IB Platform nor IBANK Platform is a member of New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada and was never registered with IIROC or the MFDA to sell any investment products.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: IB Platform
Date: April 27, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Safe-Holdings.com.
The company falsely implies they are regulated by the former Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and are members of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
Safe Holdings is not a member of New SRO and was never registered with IIROC to sell forex or crypto assets, or any other investment products.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Safe Holdings
Date: April 17, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by FinFinity Invest.
Communications sent out by FinFinity Invest falsely claim they are regulated by the former Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), now New SRO.
FinFinity Invest is not a member of New SRO and was never registered with IIROC to trade or sell any investment products.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Finfinityinvest.com
Date: April 13, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Paytradepro or Storagetemasek.
On their websites, https://www.paytradepro.net/, and https://storagetemasek.com/, the companies falsely claim to be members of the former Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).
Neither Paytradepro nor Storagetemasek are members of New SRO or CIPF and were never registered with IIROC to sell forex or crypto assets, or any other investment products. Paytradepro and Storagetemasek accounts are not protected by CIPF.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Paytradepro and Storagetemasek
Date: March 20, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by RCE Banque (rcebanque.com).
The company is implying they are regulated by the former Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) by displaying a fraudulent version of IIROC’s Advisor Report.
RCE Banque is not a member of New SRO and was never registered with IIROC to sell forex or crypto assets, or any other investment products.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: RCE Banque
Date: March 16, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Sohocapitalgroup.
On their website, www.sohocapitalgroup.com/, the company is implying they are regulated by the former Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), by displaying both member logos at the bottom of their homepage.
Sohocapitalgroup is not a member of New SRO and was never registered with IIROC to sell forex or crypto assets, or any other investment products. Sohocapitalgroup accounts are not protected by CIPF.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Sohocapitalgroup
Date: March 2, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by fraudsters falsely claiming to be associated with Citigroup, and using a false URL, 1citigroup.ca.
In communications with investors, an individual posing as Alex Foster claims to be associated with Citigroup (1citigroup.ca). 1citigroup.ca is not affiliated with Citigroup Global Markets Canada inc. or any other Citigroup Inc. affiliate. Always confirm the person calling or emailing you is the person they claim to be. Oftentimes, the name given is a registered individual's name and the fraud is only revealed by a bogus email domain or phone number.
Fraudsters try to imitate a financial institution and send fake emails requesting personal or financial information. These are called phishing emails. Make sure you delete phishing emails and do not click on any links. They can carry harmful viruses that can infect your computer.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: 1Citigroup.ca
Date: January 18, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by ToroCoin.io.
In communications with investors, ToroCoin.io has been falsely claiming to be subject to the requirements of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).
ToroCoin.io was never registered with IIROC and is not a member of New SRO, formerly IIROC, to sell forex or crypto assets, or any other investment products. All investors must be informed and ask themselves important questions before purchasing higher-risk investment products that do not trade on stock exchanges. Investors should know that unregulated crypto-asset trading platforms are different from regulated marketplaces and may be missing key investor protections.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: ToroCoin.io
Date: January 5, 2023
Summary:
New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada (New SRO) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by ZtronFX Capital Inc.
On their website, www.ztronfx.com, the company falsely claims to be a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). ZtronFX Capital Inc is not regulated in Canada and is not a member of IIROC, the CIPF or New SRO.
Additionally, ZtronFX Capital In is not registered in Canada to sell forex or crypto assets, or any other investment products. All investors must be informed and ask themselves important questions before purchasing higher-risk investment products that do not trade on stock exchanges. Investors should know that unregulated crypto-asset trading platforms are different from regulated marketplaces and may be missing key investor protections.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: ZtronFX Capital Inc.
Date: December 12, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Emperior-Trade.
On their website, https://www.emperior-trade.com/, the company falsely claims to be a member of IIROC, the MFDA, the MFDA Investor Protection Corporation and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) among various other regulators. Emperior-Trade is not regulated by IIROC or the MFDA and is not a member of the CIPF.
Additionally, Emperior-Trade is not registered in Canada to sell forex or crypto assets, or any other investment products. All investors must be informed and ask themselves important questions before purchasing higher-risk investment products that do not trade on stock exchanges. Investors should know that unregulated crypto-asset trading platforms are not the same as regulated marketplaces and may be missing key investor protections.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Emperior-Trade
Date: November 18, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by coinex-miner.
On their website, https://www.coinex-miner.com/, the company falsely claims to be a registered investment dealer of IIROC and a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). Coinex-miner is not regulated by IIROC and is not a member of the CIPF.
Additionally, coinex-miner is not registered in Canada to sell forex or crypto assets, or any other investment products. All investors must be informed and ask themselves important questions before purchasing higher-risk investment products that do not trade on stock exchanges. Investors should know that unregulated crypto-asset trading platforms are not the same as regulated marketplaces and may be missing key investor protections.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: coinex-miner
Date: September 29, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Sigma invest Options Inc.
On their website https://sigmainvestoptions.com/, the company falsely claims to be regulated by IIROC and protected by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Sigma Invest Options Inc. is not IIROC-regulated.
Certain crypto-assets have generated a lot of hype. All investors must be informed and ask themselves important questions before purchasing higher-risk investment products that do not trade on stock exchanges. Investors should know that crypto-asset trading platforms are not the same as regulated marketplaces and may be missing key investor protections.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Sigma invest Options Inc.
Date: September 2, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by eTrade Markets.
The company falsely implies IIROC and OSC regulation by using altered/fraudulent documents to solicit investors.
Certain crypto-assets have generated a lot of hype. All investors must be informed and ask themselves important questions before purchasing higher-risk investment products that do not trade on stock exchanges. Investors should know that crypto-asset trading platforms are not the same as regulated marketplaces and may be missing key investor protections.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: eTrade Markets
Date: September 1, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Tradestarcapital.
On their website https://tradestarcapital.xyz/, the crypto company falsely claims to be registered and regulated by IIROC and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Tradestarcapital is not an IIROC-regulated firm.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Tradestarcapital
Date: July 11, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Black Bull Markets.
On their website https://bbcapitalmarket.com/, the crypto company falsely implies IIROC regulation and CIPF coverage by including links to IIROC and CIPF documents on its’ website.
Certain crypto-assets have generated a lot of hype. All investors must be informed and ask themselves important questions before purchasing higher-risk investment products that do not trade on stock exchanges. Investors should know that crypto-asset trading platforms are not the same as regulated marketplaces and may be missing key investor protections.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Black Bull Markets
Date: June 10, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Lucros Financeiros.
Through their website, lucrosfinanceiros.finance, Lucros Financeiros falsely claimed to be an IIROC-regulated crypto-asset trading platform. Lucros Financeiros is not a Canadian IIROC-regulated firm.
Certain crypto-assets have generated a lot of hype. All investors must be informed and ask themselves important questions before purchasing higher-risk investment products that do not trade on stock exchanges. Investors should know that crypto-asset trading platforms are not the same as regulated marketplaces and may be missing key investor protections.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Lucros Financeiros
Date: June 3, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by liquidityswap.
On their website https://m.liquidityswap.vip/, the company falsely claims to be an IIROC-regulated crypto-asset trading platform. Liquidityswap is not regulated by IIROC.
Certain crypto-assets have generated a lot of hype. All investors must be informed and ask themselves important questions before purchasing higher-risk investment products that do not trade on stock exchanges. Investors should know that crypto-asset trading platforms are not the same as regulated marketplaces and may be missing key investor protections.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Liquidityswap
Date: May 6, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Maxi Capital Ltd.
Investors have reported that Maxi Capital Ltd. (www.maxicapital.group) is making statements, through their representatives, that they are registered with IIROC. Maxi Capital Ltd., which claims to be an overseas crypto-asset trading platform, is not registered in Canada, and is not an IIROC-regulated dealer.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Maxi Capital Ltd.
Date: March 30, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Unique Binars.
Through their website uniquebinars.io, Unique Binars falsely claims to be registered in Canada with IIROC while, in fact, Unique Binars is not an IIROC-regulated investment firm.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Unique Binars
Date: March 24, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Ontario Invest.
Through their website https://ontarioinvest.com, Ontario Invest falsely claims to be an IIROC-regulated crypto-asset management and investment company and a registered representative of RBC Direct Investing Inc. Ontario Invest is not an IIROC-regulated investment dealer and not associated with RBC Direct Investing Inc or any other IIROC-regulated firm.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Ontario Invest
Date: February 18, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by the website velocitytradefx.com or by cold callers representing velocitytradefx.
Velocitytradefx.com is falsely representing itself to be the website for and using the logo belonging to Velocity Trade, the parent company of IIROC-registered firm Velocity Trade Capital, when in fact the genuine website is www.velocitytrade.com.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Velocitytradefx.com
Date: February 9, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Hashminer.io.
Investors have recently contacted IIROC asking about companies that claim to require account insurance through regulatory bodies like IIROC, including companies doing business as Hashminer.io or possibly as SaveFunds-Trading.com.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Hashminer.io
Date: February 4, 2022
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by TradingSpace.
Through their website https://tradingspace.pro, the company falsely claims to be an IIROC-regulated crypto-asset management and investment company. Trading Space is not an IIROC-regulated investment dealer.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: TradingSpace
Date: December 23, 2021
Summary:
Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Elitesfx, also known as Elitefx.
Elitesfx (www.elitesfx.com) is luring investors with promises of quick profits in cryptocurrency trading. When investors try to withdraw funds from their account, Elitesfx claims that their withdrawals are put "on hold" by IIROC and they are required to "upgrade" their accounts.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: EliteSFX.com
Date: December 6, 2021
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by the website InteractiveBrokerage.net.
InteractiveBrokerage.net is falsely representing itself to be the website for IIROC-registered firm Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., when in fact the genuine website is interactivebrokers.ca.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: InteractiveBrokerage.net
Date: November 4, 2021
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by UnicornFX.
UnicornFX, also known as Unicorn Global Limited, is falsely claiming to be a legitimate foreign exchange broker regulated by IIROC. This unregulated, offshore company is using a forged certificate claiming to be regulated by IIROC. IIROC does not issue certificates to regulated firms.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: UnicornFX
Date: September 17, 2021
Summary: Celox.live falsely claims to be an IIROC-regulated online trading broker and uses IIROC's and its legitimate dealer members' information on forms and contracts to entice investors. The company is an offshore, unregulated entity.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Celox.live
Date: August 31, 2021
Summary: The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by Questradeinc.com.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Questradeinc.com
Date: August 27, 2021
Summary: Investors have recently contacted IIROC asking about companies that claim to be regulated by IIROC or improperly using IIROC's name to deceive and gain legitimacy with investors, including companies doing business as:
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Bonds Wealth Ltd and Koorbit Company Ltd
Date: August 17, 2021
Summary: Through their website https://rxdoptions.com, the company claims to offer accounts for trading in cryptocurrency, forex, and binary options.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: RxD Options
Date: August 13, 2021
Summary: Through their website https://cryptlogger.com, the company falsely claims to be an IIROC-regulated crypto-asset management and investment company.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Cryptlogger
Date: July 27, 2021
Summary: Fraudsters are impersonating trusted IIROC-regulated institutions through many channels, including genuine-looking phishing websites, high-quality brochures and other investment documents. These fraudulent sites or documents offer and market a fake guaranteed bond fund and GICs with unrealistic investment returns.
Relevant Documents: Investor Alert: Beware of Fake Financial Websites Trying To Steal Your Money
Date: February 8, 2021
Summary: IIROC has received enquiries regarding its decision to cancel trades in Nabis Holdings Inc. (CSE:NAB) between January 27, 2021 and February 2, 2021 (IIROC Notice 21-0022).
Relevant Documents: IIROC statement on Nabis Holdings Inc.
Date: February 1, 2021
Summary: TORONTO - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) are closely monitoring how extreme price movement of certain stocks may be contributing to volatility in Canada’s capital markets. We will take appropriate regulatory action to protect investors if we identify that abusive or manipulative trading activity may be taking place.
Relevant Documents: Joint statement from the CSA and IIROC on the Recent Market Volatility
Date: January 29, 2021
Summary:
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is warning Canadian investors not to be fooled by fraudsters attempting to operate as legitimate individuals regulated by IIROC.
IIROC has learned of online advertisements on social media and other websites, targeting Canadian communities, making false claims as IIROC-accredited professionals in binary options and digital asset management.
Binary options cannot be offered or sold to retail investors in Canada. No IIROC dealers are authorized to sell binary options to retail investors in Canada. Investors can confirm the investment firms registered with IIROC.
Investors can also verify the background, qualifications and any disciplinary history of investment advisors registered with IIROC by checking the free AdvisorReport.
The Canadian Securities Administrators provide investor alerts. Investors contacted by anyone offering binary options should immediately report the incident to their provincial or territorial securities commissions.