MFSA issues consumer warnings against unauthorised firms misusing Maltese company details

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has issued two separate warnings alerting the public to unauthorised firms falsely claiming Maltese registration in order to offer investment services.

The regulator said it had become aware of Polaris Invest Ltd, which operates through the website polarisinvestltd.com, and AdmiralCfd, found at admiralcfd.com. Both entities are making misleading claims suggesting they are licensed or registered in Malta, despite not being authorised to provide financial services under Maltese law.

In the case of Polaris Invest Ltd, the MFSA stated that the entity had made unauthorised use of a registered address belonging to a licensed Maltese company, misleadingly describing itself as “a legal company registered in Malta providing its investment services to the members all around the world.” The Authority emphasised that Polaris Invest Ltd is neither a Maltese registered company nor licensed by the MFSA under the Investment Services Act or the Virtual Financial Assets Act.

Meanwhile, the regulator also flagged AdmiralCfd as a fraudulent website cloning the details of IFH Capital Trader Limited, a genuine MFSA-licensed company. According to the warning, the site misuses the legitimate company’s details and online content in an attempt to deceive consumers. The MFSA stressed that AdmiralCfd has no association with IFH Capital Trader Limited and is not authorised to provide services in or from Malta.

The Authority has urged the public to refrain from engaging with either entity, warning that any transactions with such unauthorised firms expose consumers to a high risk of financial loss.

The MFSA also reminded investors to always verify whether an entity is licensed before entering into financial transactions. A full list of licensed entities is available on the MFSA Financial Services Register. It further encouraged consumers to remain vigilant against offers of financial services made through unconventional channels, including cold calls or social media messages.