Skip to main content

Independent UK reporting on scams, fraud and financial harm

The Fraud Center

Scam type

Clone firms

Clone firms copy real authorised firms to steal your money

Two near-identical letterheads side by side under a magnifying glass
Illustrative image for Clone firms.
Share thisWhatsAppXLinkedInFacebook Email

What it is

A clone firm takes the name, reference number and even the letterhead of a genuine Financial Conduct Authority authorised firm, then substitutes its own phone number, email or website. The real firm is a victim too. The FCA publishes clone warnings when it sees this happening.

How to protect yourself

  • Compare every contact detail against the FCA Financial Services Register, character by character.
  • Phone the firm back on the number listed on the Register, not the number you were given.
  • Treat any mismatch in a website domain or email address as disqualifying, not a clerical error.
  • Remember that a genuine reference number can be stolen; the number alone does not prove you are dealing with the real firm.

Latest matching alerts

14 recent warning or reports matching this type.

VFM Leasing logo

FCA Warning List· 6 Oct 2026

VFM Leasing

  • New
  • Clone firm
  • Phone published
  • Website published

Website published by the FCA: venusfleetmanagement.com

Telephone numbers published by the FCA: 01518084445, +447537130280

Source: FCA Warning List entry
IPO Horizon logo

FCA Warning List· 1 Oct 2026

IPO Horizon

  • New
  • Clone firm
  • Phone published
  • Website published

Website published by the FCA: ipohorizon.com

Telephone numbers published by the FCA: +447721904036

Source: FCA Warning List entry
Cadwyn Capital logo

FCA Warning List· 1 Oct 2026

Cadwyn Capital

  • Updated
  • Clone firm
  • Phone published
  • Website published

Website published by the FCA: cadwyncapital.com

Telephone numbers published by the FCA: +44 2033189655

Source: FCA Warning List entry

Latest updates

Recently changed matching reports, with links to the change log or source record.

Share a quote card

Generate a branded image of the key line from this report, with the link on it, to post or send on.