Can I request a chargeback after a fake trading site?

If you paid by card, a chargeback is sometimes possible through your bank, within limited deadlines. For a bank transfer, request a funds recall procedure in writing. These steps should be started as early as possible and do not guarantee a refund.

Where can I report a fake trading site in Switzerland?

File a criminal complaint with your cantonal police, report online through Suisse ePolice, and check/report the platform on FINMA's warning list. Fraud is punishable under Article 146 of the Swiss Criminal Code.

Can you identify who is behind a fake trading site?

Often partly, yes. An OSINT investigation analyses the domain name, the hosting, the payment infrastructure, the bank details or crypto wallets and the digital identities to connect the site to an operator and support legal proceedings.

Fake trading site: how to recover your funds

Q: How can I recognise a fake trading site?

Be wary of high, guaranteed risk-free returns, of cold outreach by phone or social media, of a very pushy "adviser", of being asked to install remote-access software, of displayed profits that are impossible to withdraw, and of fees demanded to unlock a withdrawal. Also check that the platform holds a licence and does not appear on FINMA's warning list.

A platform was showing you handsome profits, but withdrawal is impossible and the "adviser" is still demanding fees? Here is how to react to try to recover your money — and to outsmart the classic playbook.

By the ScamHunter.ch investigation team · Updated 19 July 2026 · 7 min read

Deceptive trading dashboard compared with the platform's technical and payment traces — Editorial illustration: the investigation compares the displayed interface with verifiable payments, domains and infrastructure.

Fake trading sites (forex, stocks, crypto) almost always follow the same pattern: an unsolicited approach, a small initial deposit, spectacular profits displayed on screen… then endless fees the moment you try to withdraw. In reality, the money is lost at the moment of the transfer. Recovery is never guaranteed, but concrete levers exist — provided you act fast.

In brief — 1) Stop all payments immediately. 2) Document the site, the account and the transactions. 3) Trigger a chargeback (card) or a funds recall (transfer) as early as possible. 4) Report to FINMA and file a criminal complaint (Article 146 of the Swiss Criminal Code). 5) Have the money flows traced and the operator identified.

1. Recognise a fake trading site

Identifying the scam helps you build a stronger case. The recurring signals:

"Guaranteed" high returns with no risk: no legitimate investment promises this — on its own it is a sign of fraud.
Cold outreach by phone, WhatsApp, Telegram or social media, with a very present and pushy "adviser".
Remote-access software (AnyDesk, TeamViewer) requested to "help you" invest.
Profits impossible to withdraw, and fees, taxes or "margins" demanded upfront to unlock the withdrawal.
Unlicensed platform: it holds no authorisation and sometimes appears on FINMA's warning list.

2. Act fast: stop and secure

As with any fraud, the first 24 to 72 hours are decisive.

Pay nothing more. Paying "unlocking fees" only deepens the loss.
Cut off all remote access and change your banking passwords if software was installed.
Keep your access to the site and to the conversations long enough to save everything before it is taken away from you.

3. Gather the evidence

Collect, dated and legible:

The exact URL of the platform, its login pages and the "dashboard" displaying the fake balances.
The proof of payment: card statements, transfer orders, the beneficiary's IBAN or crypto wallet, transaction IDs.
The full conversations with the "adviser" (numbers, profiles, names and photos used).
The emails, contracts or terms sent by the platform.

4. Chargeback and funds recall: the first lever

Depending on the payment method, banking procedures may allow you to recover all or part of the sums:

Card payment: ask your bank to open a chargeback for a service not rendered or a fraudulent transaction. Deadlines are limited, hence the urgency.
Bank transfer: request in writing a funds recall procedure and the preservation of information about the beneficiary account.
Cryptocurrency: the banking route does not apply, but blockchain tracing remains possible (see our dedicated guide).

Important — Make these requests in writing, keep every reference number and the name of the people you deal with. A well-kept banking file carries real weight in the steps that follow.

5. Check and report in Switzerland

In Switzerland, fraud falls under Article 146 of the Swiss Criminal Code. The useful channels:

FINMA: check whether the platform appears on the warning list of unauthorised providers, and report it. It is a valuable element for your case.
Cantonal police: file a criminal complaint in your canton.
Suisse ePolice: report the fraud online without leaving home.
FOCS (Swiss National Cyber Security Centre): report the fraudulent site to support national monitoring.

6. Trace the funds and identify the operator

This is where the investigation makes the difference. Starting from your evidence, OSINT and analysis work often makes it possible to:

analyse the domain name, the hosting and the technical infrastructure of the fake site;
trace back the payment channels (relay accounts, processors, crypto wallets);
cross-reference the digital identities, aliases and networks behind the operation;
produce an investigation report usable by your lawyer and the authorities to support a seizure or a refund request.

7. Real chances and a trap to avoid

The chances of recovery depend on how long ago the events occurred, the payment method, where the funds went and how quickly the parties respond. A recent, well-documented case paid by card offers better prospects than an old crypto transfer.

Beware the double scam — Scammers pose as "fund recovery companies" and demand upfront fees, targeting victims who have already been caught. No serious provider guarantees a result or requires full payment before any analysis. See our guide: recover your money after a crypto scam.

Have your case analysed

Our OSINT investigators identify the operator behind the fake site, trace the money flows and build a complete case file for your proceedings. A feasibility assessment before any commitment.

Open my investigation case

The ScamHunter.ch investigation team

Investigators specialising in OSINT, money-flow tracing and digital investigation after online fraud. Based in Switzerland, in Geneva.

Frequently asked questions

How can I recognise a fake trading site?

"Guaranteed" risk-free returns, pushy cold outreach, remote-access software, profits impossible to withdraw, fees demanded to unlock a withdrawal, and no authorisation (check FINMA's warning list).

Can I request a chargeback?

If you paid by card, a chargeback is sometimes possible through your bank, within limited deadlines. For a transfer, request a funds recall. None of these steps guarantees a refund, which is why acting fast matters.

Where do I report it in Switzerland?

Cantonal police, Suisse ePolice, FOCS, and FINMA's warning list. Fraud falls under Article 146 of the Swiss Criminal Code.

Can you identify who is behind the site?

Often partly: an OSINT investigation analyses the domain, the hosting, the payment channels and the digital identities to connect the site to an operator.

Official sources

This article is for information only and is not individual legal advice. For any decision, consult a qualified professional about your situation.