Canary Wharf Address Scam Resurfaces: FCA Exposes 20+ Clone Template Forex Platforms

In the rapidly evolving forex and cryptocurrency trading markets, regulatory authorities have taken decisive action once again. The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a series of warnings over the past week, exposing more than 20 highly similar unlicensed forex trading platforms. These platforms all claim to be registered at the iconic Canary Wharf address: “1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AB.” However, FCA investigations indicate that the authenticity of this address is highly questionable. The FCA warns that these entities are suspected of false advertising and unauthorized operations, posing significant fraud risks.

This wave of “clone-style” scams is not unprecedented. Monitoring platforms like WikiFX exposed similar cases months ago: Numerous websites blacklisted by global regulators (such as the FCA and CySEC) employ identical webpage templates, changing only the logo and brand name while uniformly fabricating the “Canary Wharf address” to feign legitimacy. The FCA's latest actions confirm that such “template scams” have become a persistent industry issue, exploiting investors' trust in London's financial center to lure funds into illicit channels.

The Canary Trap in Scam Platforms: Risks Behind the Fabricated Address

“1 Canada Square,” as a symbol of London's international financial hub, is frequently hijacked by fraudsters to bolster credibility. FCA probes reveal that these platforms lack any tangible operational footprint: no licenses, no regulatory filings, and even company registration details that fail basic scrutiny. Once funds are deposited, investors may face risks including asset freezes, withdrawal impossibilities, or data breaches. WikiFX tracking reports note that the lifespan of such platforms is typically brief: They launch with promises of high returns and low fees to attract retail traders before vanishing abruptly. The platforms exposed by the FCA this time span forex, cryptocurrencies, and stocks across various asset classes. The regulator urges investors to consult the FCA's “Unauthorized Firms” list on its website prior to any trading engagement to avoid pitfalls.

Comprehensive Exposure List: Overview of 20+ Similar Platforms

The following is a partial list of platforms implicated in the FCA's latest warnings (compiled from public data). All claim to use the “Canary Wharf address,” but the FCA has confirmed they hold no licenses. The table details platform names, contact emails, and websites for investor verification:

(Note: The list is based on FCA warnings from late October to early November 2025; for the full version, refer to the FCA website. Some platforms may have gone offline, but residual domain risks persist.)

The “One-Size-Fits-All” Design of Template Scams: Uniform Visual Deception

These platforms feature highly uniform webpage designs, utilizing the same “innovative trading platform” template: Dark backgrounds, real-time candlestick charts, displays of popular assets like BTC/USD, left-side navigation (Trading/System/Company/Education/Contact), right-side chat windows, and “Create Account/Login” buttons. Core selling points include “Access advanced tools for trading forex/cryptocurrencies/commodities/indices with competitive spreads and lightning-fast execution.”

As shown in the image above, the template emphasizes “Trade Global Markets with Confidence,” paired with dynamic charts to evoke a professional atmosphere.

Similarly,

it merely swaps the green logo and minor colors, while the interface layout and functional modules (such as real-time data and MACD/RSI indicators) remain virtually identical. This “reskinning” technique drastically reduces scam operational costs, rendering it challenging for novices to detect. FCA analysis suggests this template likely originates from open-source code or black-market libraries, abused by hundreds of fraudulent platforms worldwide.

Conclusion: FCA Alerts and Pathways for Investor Protection

The FCA's successive warnings demonstrate a zero-tolerance stance toward “template scams.” In the future, as AI monitoring tools proliferate, the survival space for such platforms will contract further. However, regulation alone is insufficient; investors must fortify their primary defenses: Prior to trading, verify against the FCA's authorization list (Financial Services Register); upon encountering promotions of “high returns and low barriers,” exercise immediate caution.

The virtual asset market presents opportunities alongside perils—one misstep can lead to total loss. The FCA's timely exposures not only safeguard the UK's financial reputation but also sound a global alarm for retail investors. To effectively identify potential risks, we strongly recommend utilizing the WikiFX platform: Simply enter the broker's name to access real-time regulatory status, user reviews, and risk scores, enabling swift verification of platform authenticity. Let us collectively combat scams and embrace compliant trading.