Complaints & Guidance

Alerts & Cautions

The Manitoba Securities Commission issues investor alerts to warn the public about activities that are illegal or pose a risk to the general public. If you would like these alerts sent directly to your inbox, please sign up here.

MSC: Don't Bank on Bitcoin Scheme
Posted: March 6, 2018

Winnipeg - The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) is issuing a warning to Manitobans about BITCOIN BANK – an online investment ‘bank’ for cryptocurrency allegedly operating from Sunnyvale, California. Bitcoin Bank recently began soliciting Manitobans via classified ad sites and social media to participate in an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) and trading scheme.
 
MSC’s investigation shows much of BITCOIN BANK’s website content is misleading.  See more
 

MSC warns Manitobans of Emirates-based Bitcoin scheme
Posted: December 22, 2017

Winnipeg - The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) is alerting the public on the red flags of investment fraud, as a rural Manitoba couple were defrauded of more than $180,000 by an offshore Binary Options firm. The company lured targets with Internet ads featuring the unauthorized likeness of a well-known Canadian celebrity and the promise of large returns.Winnipeg - The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) is issuing a warning to Manitobans about USI-TECH – an Internet-based company billing itself as an ‘automated Bitcoin and Forex trading platform.’ Evidence indicates the company, purportedly operating from Dubai, UAE, may be operating a Bitcoin investment scheme, which now involves more than twenty Winnipeg residents. See more


Celebrity Likeness Lures Manitoba Couple into Investment Scam
Posted: July 26, 2016

Winnipeg - The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) is alerting the public on the red flags of investment fraud, as a rural Manitoba couple were defrauded of more than $180,000 by an offshore Binary Options firm. The company lured targets with Internet ads featuring the unauthorized likeness of a well-known Canadian celebrity and the promise of large returns. See more

Manitoba friends lose big money to foreign fraudsters
Posted: July 4, 2016

Winnipeg - The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) is strongly cautioning the public to reconsider investing with so-called ‘binary options’ trading firms. Three Manitobans have made complaints to MSC after losing a combined $144,446 through PluStocks, an online binary options trading company not registered to conduct business in Canada. See more

Foreign firm takes Manitoba woman for $10,000
Posted: June 2, 2016

Winnipeg - The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) is reminding the public to think twice before investing with so-called ‘binary options’ firms. MSC recently received a complaint from a 61-year-old Manitoba woman regarding Magnum Options, a company not registered to sell securities in Manitoba, or anywhere else in Canada.   See more

Securities investigator randomly contacted by illegal investment firm
Posted: April 20, 2016

Winnipeg – Manitoba resident Jason Roy couldn’t believe the coincidence when he received a random automated call at his home at 6 p.m. on April 11 from Central Option, a ‘Binary Options’ trading firm offering an ‘amazing investment opportunity.’ Roy, senior investigator with Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC), began a conversation with a self-described expert on Binary Options trading. Roy then began gathering evidence while pretending to be a potential high-value investor. See more

Avatrade
Date Posted: Dec. 21 2017

Additional information:
Avatrade and www.avatrade.com are not (and never have been) registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities.


Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Shtern Group
Date Posted: Oct. 17 2017

Additional information:
Shtern Group, www.shterngroup.com, and European Soft Ltd. are not (and never have been) registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities.

Shtern Group has a phone number based in Malta, and a corporate address in London, United Kingdom.


Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Silver Trade
Date Posted: Oct. 17 2017

Additional information:
Silver Trade and www.silvertrade.com are not (and never have been) registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities.

Silver Trade is allegedly licensed with the Island of Vanuatu, and has a corporate address in London, United Kingdom.


Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Aidan Trading
Date Posted: Oct. 16 2017

Additional information:
Aidan Trading, www.aidantrading.com, and Catalyst CM Ltd. are not (and never have been) registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

MetaInvesting
Date Posted: Sept. 6 2017

Additional information:
MetaInvesting, www.metainvesting.com, and Capital Marketing Ltd. are not (and never have been) registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

GTOptions
Date Posted: July 24 2017

Additional information:
GTOptions, www.gtoptions.com, and MJ Vents Ltd. are not (and never have been) registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. GTOptions is allegedly operating out of Bulgaria.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Argo Commerce
Date Posted: July 6 2017

Additional information:

Argo Commerce, www.argocommerce.com and Bali Limited Ltd. are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. Argo Commerce / Bali Limited is allegedly operating out of Sofia, Bulgaria.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Option 500
Date Posted: May 30 2017

Additional information:

Option 500, www.option500.com, and Options Solutions Online Limited are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. Option 500 is allegedly operating out of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Millionaire Blueprint
Date Posted: May 30, 2017

Additional information:

Millionaire Blueprint, www. millionaire-blueprint .com, and Melnic Group Ltd. are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. Millionaire Blueprint is allegedly operating out of Sophia, Bulgaria.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Boss Capital
Date Posted: May 30, 2017

Additional information:

Boss Capital, www. bosscapital .com, and Melnic Group Ltd. are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. Boss Capital is allegedly operating out of Sophia, Bulgaria.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

TorOption
Date Posted: April 21, 2017

Additional information:

TorOption, www. toroption .com, and Smart Choice Zone LP are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. TorOption is allegedly operating out of Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

B4Binary
Date Posted: December 8, 2016

Additional information:

B4Binary, SG 55 Ltd., and www.b4binary.com   are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. B4Binary is a brand operated by SG 55 Ltd., allegedly operating out of Leeds, United Kingdom, China, and Israel.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

PWR Trade
Date Posted: November 15, 2016

Additional information:

PWR Trade, GN Capital Limited, GN Management, and www.pwrtrade.com are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. PWR Trade is a brand operated by GN Capital., allegedly operating out of The Marshall Islands, and GN Management, allegedly operating out of Sofia, Bulgaria.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Ivory Option
Date Posted: November 15, 2016

Additional information:

Ivory Option, Arya Group Ltd., Arianus Ltd., and www.ivoryoption.com are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. Ivory Option is a brand operated by Arya Group Ltd., allegedly operating out of London, U.K., and Sofia, Bulgaria.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

53 Option
Date Posted: October 14, 2016

Additional information:

53 Option and www.53option.com are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. 53 Option is allegedly operating out of London, England.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Hedgestone
Date Posted: October 14, 2016

Additional information:

Hedgestone Group, Iconics PS Limited, Icon Markets Limited, and www.hedgestonegroup.com are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities. Hedgestone is a brand operated by Icon Markets Limited, allegedly operating out of Belize and Bulgaria.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Trade Rush
Date Posted: June 29, 2016

Additional information:

Trade Rush, TR Binary Options, www.traderush.com, www.trbinaryoptions.com, Cheshire Capital Ltd. are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying, or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Banc de Binary
Date Posted: June 29, 2016

Additional information:

Banc de Binary, www.bancdebinary.com, BDB Services Ltd. are not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading securities or advise with respect to investing in, buying or selling securities

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Zulutoys Limited doing business as RB Options
Date Posted: June 10, 2016

Last known/disclosed address: Zulutoys Limited Ajeltake Road
Ajeltake Island Majuro, MH96960
Marshall Islands
1-647-846-8231

Additional information:

Zulutoys Limited doing business as RB Options is not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading in securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

UB Innovation Limited doing business as uBinary
Date Posted: June 10, 2016

Last known/disclosed address: Majuro, Marshall Islands

Additional information:

UB Innovation Limited doing business as uBinary is not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading in securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Uno Media Solutions Limited doing business as Binary Uno
Date Posted: June 10, 2016

Last known/disclosed address: Mahe, Seychelles

Additional information:

Uno Media Solutions Limited doing business as Binary Uno is not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading in securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Benedict Morris Binary Option doing business as www.bmboption.com
Date Posted: March 23, 2016

Last known/disclosed address: Commonwealth of Dominica

Additional information:

Benedict Morris Binary Option doing business as www.bmboption.com is not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading in securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Titan Trade Capital Limited doing business as www.titantrade.com
Date Posted: March 23, 2016

Last known/disclosed address: London, UK

Additional information:

Titan Trade Capital Limited doing business as www.titantrade.com is not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading in securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Karatbars International GmbH doing business as karatbars.com
Date Posted: February 18, 2015

Last known/disclosed address: Königstrasse 52, 70173 Stuttgart, Germany

Additional information:

The Autorité des marchés financiers (“AMF”) issued an investor alert on March 20, 2014, warning the public in Quebec to exercise caution about an investment program linked to a German company, Karatbars International GmbH (“Karatbars”), whose investment products are primarily promoted through conferences, the Internet and social media. Karatbars is not registered in Manitoba to trade in, or advise on, securities or exchange contracts.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

B.H.N.V. Online Ltd. doing business as opteck.com and optaffiliates.com
Date Posted: December 2, 2014

Last known/disclosed address: Suite 102, Blake Building, Corner of Eyre & Hutson Streets, Belize City, Belize

Additional information:

B.H.N.V. Online Ltd. doing business as opteck.com and optaffiliates.com is not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading in securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

Galaxy Investment Management Ltd. doing business as www.gimsafeinvestor.com
Date Posted: December 2, 2014

Last known/disclosed address: 2101 Brimley Rd, Scarborough, ON, Canada M1S 2B4

Additional information:

Galaxy Investment Management Ltd. doing business as www.gimsafeinvestor.com is not registered in Manitoba to engage in the business of trading in securities or advising anyone with respect to investing in, buying or selling securities.

Visit www.recognizeinvestmentfraud.ca to see other investor warnings and check the registration of any person or company offering securities in Manitoba.

CSA Investor Alert: Caution urged for those looking to invest in medical marijuana stocks
Posted: June 16, 2014

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is urging investors to be cautious when considering investing in medical marijuana stocks. See more

Securities regulators warn of investments that encourage you to unlock your retirement savings
Posted: March 23, 2010

Vancouver – The British Columbia Securities Commission and the Manitoba Securities Commission want people to be aware of questionable investments that advise people to withdraw funds from their registered retirement savings plans and reinvest in unrelated securities.  See more

What are Exempt Market Securities
Posted: April 27, 2009

In Manitoba, when companies (issuers) sell securities such as stocks, options, or bonds, they are generally required to file a prospectus. This document contains material facts about both the issuer and the security. However, in certain cases securities can be sold without a prospectus and these investments are called exempt securities; the sale is called an exempt distribution or a private placement. See more