In recent years, the rise of online trading-related scams has caused increasing concern among investors. One platform frequently mentioned in user reports is Investigram, which, despite maintaining a seemingly professional online presence, has been associated with operational issues that may present risks to investors. Many independent sources question it's reputation.. This article provides an overview of these concerns and outlines possible legal steps for affected users.
What is Investigram?
Investigram presents itself as an online trading platform offering access to a wide range of financial instruments, including forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities and indices. It advertises features such as high leverage (up to 1:400) and compatibility with the MetaTrader 5 platform. However, some critical aspects should be considered with caution:
- Offshore registration: The company is
incorporated in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a jurisdiction
known for more flexible regulatory standards in a jurisdiction that
doesn't license brokers—meaning it operates without real
oversight.
- Lack of supervision by recognised regulators:
It does not appear to be authorised or supervised by major
regulatory bodies such as the UK's FCA or Cyprus's
CySEC.
- Limited transparency: Users have reported a
lack of clear information on trading fees, spreads, and
conditions.
- Customer support issues: Several reviews and reports cite difficulty in contacting support and delays in withdrawal processing
Vito Anello, an associate, commented "The
utmost caution is advised before trading on an investment platform
to ensure that there is dependable regulatory oversight that
adheres to legal standards to protect your interests." Vito
further commented " Regulatory bodies such as the UK's
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the
Federal FinancialSupervisory
Authority(BaFin)
impose strict rules on capital requirements, segregation of
client funds, fair marketing and dispute resolution mechanisms,
providing a safer, more trustworthy trading
environment."
Concerning Operational Patterns
Certain practices reported by users raise cautionary flags that should be considered before engaging with the platform:
- Promises of high returns: Through aggressive
advertising, often on social media, the platform is said to promote
expectations of quick and substantial profits — a common
feature of misleading investment schemes.
- Unclear account statements: Some users have
reported seeing significant gains in their dashboards, which may
encourage them to deposit more funds without clear proof of
realised profits.
- Withdrawal difficulties: Reports indicate that
users attempting to withdraw funds may be asked to pay additional
charges or face delays and access issues, another trait observed
when dealing with doubtful platforms.
- Questionable communications: There are mentions of communications that involve unclear or unverifiable identities, which may create confusion or
mistrust.
Legal Options and Investor Protection
For users who believe they may have been affected by platforms such as Investigram, there are potentially several avenues to consider:
- Reporting to the authorities: It is important
to promptly report any suspected misconduct to the relevant
national authority, such as the Postal Police in Italy or the IC3
in the United States.
- Civil legal action: In specific cases, there
may be the possibility of legal proceedings against the platform or
any intermediaries, particularly if there is evidence of negligence
or wrongdoing.
How to Protect Yourself
To reduce the risk of falling victim to dubious platforms, investors are encouraged to:
- Check regulatory status: Only use platforms
that are properly registered and authorised by a recognised
regulatory body with a sound reputation.
- Be cautious of unrealistic promises: Offers of
guaranteed or exceptionally high returns should be viewed with
scepticism.
- Avoid pressure tactics: Do not feel compelled
to act quickly based on urgency imposed by the platform or its
representatives.
- Use secure payment methods: Always use payment methods that provide fraud protection, such as credit cards.
Legal Support for Victims: How Giambrone & Partners Can Help
Giambrone & Partners has extensive experience of financial disputes related to online investment fraud and unauthorised financial operations, Giambrone & Partners has a thorough understanding of such matters and is well-placed to support clients in these cases. Our financial fraud lawyers offer a methodical, confidential bringing a legally robust approach to investigating and pursuing potential recovery options.
Each case is assessed individually, starting with a detailed reconstruction of events, an analysis of banking relationships and communications with the platform, and a review of the financial transactions involved. Only when there are clear factual and legal grounds will a legal claim be pursued.
Vito Anello is a Senior Associate at the Milan office. He is a
qualified lawyer with extensive professional experience as a
leading member of the litigation department dealing with financial
matters. He possesses in-depth professional expertise together with
a commitment to establish strong relationships with clients to
enable him to have a full understanding of their legal
issues.
Vito specialises in the regulation of online trading platforms and
the recovery of funds lost in investment fraud. He provides advice
and legal assistance to clients involving financial instruments of
all types, both for contractual matters in compliance with Italian
and European regulations. Vito deals with the regulation of
financial markets, with a specific focus on investment services and
activities and collective asset management. In particular, he
assists private clients, companies and financial intermediaries,
both Italian and international, in the wide areas of sector
compliance, prudential rules and financial regulation. He also has
experience in the field of crypto-assets and blockchain.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
