Almost all firms and individuals carrying out financial services activities in the UK have to be authorised or registered by us. This firm is not authorised or registered by us but has been targeting people in the UK, claiming to be an authorised firm.

This is what we call a 'clone firm'; and fraudsters usually use this tactic when contacting people out of the blue, so you should be especially wary if you have been cold called. They may use the name of the genuine firm, the 'firm reference number' (FRN) we have given the authorised firm or other details.

You can find out more about this scam tactic and how to protect yourself from clone firms.

Clone firm details

Fraudsters are using or giving out the following details as part of their tactics to scam people in the UK:

Alternative Investment Advisors (clone of FCA authorised firm)

Address: 25 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, UK, E14 5LQ

51/F Hopewell centre 183, Queens Road East, Hong Kong

Rue de Colonies 9, 1000 Brusselles, BELGIUM, 1000

The Mercantile Exchange, 30 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinios, USA, 60606

Telephone: 08 52 8197 2759, 02 07 558 8371, 00 1 312 239 0541

Website: www.alternativeinvestmentsab.com

Be aware that scammers may give out other false details or mix these with some correct details of the registered firm. They may change contact details over time to new email addresses, telephone numbers or physical addresses.

FCA authorised firm details

This FCA authorised firm that fraudsters are claiming to work for has no association with the ‘clone firm’. It is authorised to offer, promote or sell services or products in the UK and its correct details are:

Firm Name: Alternative Investments Advisors Belgique CVBA

Firm Reference Number: 512589

Address: UNITED KINGDOM