UK Financial Watchdog Warns That ICO Crypto Is a Clone Company

The firm was identified as using details of the legitimate company, Swiss Re Capital Markets.

AccessTimeIconJun 10, 2021 at 7:56 a.m. UTC
Updated Aug 21, 2021 at 7:19 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

The U.K.'s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says fraudsters are using the details of a company it authorizes in a bid to fool victims, labelling it a clone firm.

In a warning issued Wednesday, the financial watchdog said scammers operating as ICO Crypto are using an approved company's Firm Reference Number (FRN) in an attempt to look like a legitimate business. Other details it gives out are false. The FRN it's using belongs to Swiss Re Capital Markets, a unit of Swiss Re, one of the world's largest reinsurers.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • "Be aware that scammers may give out other false details or mix these with some correct details of the registered firm," the FCA said. "They may change contact details over time to new email addresses, telephone numbers or physical addresses."

    All firms and individuals conducting financial services activities in the country have to be authorized or registered by the FCA. The watchdog strongly advises users to deal with financial firms that are authorized by the FCA only and points toward the Financial Services Register to ensure they are.

    In April, a similar instance occurred when a scamming syndicate impersonated Gain Capital UK Limited, cold-calling and emailing investors under the guise of Blockchain Recovery Association.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.



    Read more about