Below is a comprehensive analysis of Reliantco Investments Ltd, operating as UFX (official website: https://www.ufx.com/), based on the requested criteria. The analysis draws from available web sources, regulatory information, and critical evaluation of potential risks and red flags. Note that some information may be limited due to the company’s current status or accessibility of data.

1. Overview of Reliantco Investments Ltd / UFX ¶

• Company Details: Reliantco Investments Ltd is a Cyprus-based company operating the UFX brand, which specializes in online trading of Contracts for Differences (CFDs), forex, indices, stocks, ETFs, commodities, and currencies. It is headquartered at 139 Makarios Avenue, Zavos Business Center, 3rd Floor, 3021 Limassol, Cyprus.
• Regulatory Status: Previously regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 127/10, Reliantco’s authorization was withdrawn by CySEC on November 18, 2024, due to inactivity (no investment services or activities for the preceding six months).
• Current Operational Status: As of 2023, UFX is reportedly no longer in business, and its website is inaccessible, though some sources still reference it as operational.

2. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Complaints Overview: Reliantco Investments / UFX has faced significant complaints, with 16 documented on ComplaintsBoard alone. Common issues include:
• Misleading Information: Clients reported being misled about investment risks and potential returns, with brokers pressuring them to invest larger sums.
• Withdrawal Issues: Multiple users cited difficulties withdrawing funds, with some alleging UFX demanded additional identification or credit card details to process refunds.
• Aggressive Sales Tactics: Complaints highlight pushy salespeople and harassment, including brokers encouraging clients to deposit large sums (e.g., $100,000) under false pretenses of low risk or guaranteed profits.
• Financial Losses: Several users reported significant losses (e.g., $66,640 and $180,000) due to alleged wrongful advice or fraudulent practices.
• Specific Cases:
• A user was misled into depositing £250, pressured to invest more, and faced aggressive follow-ups.
• Another client deposited $100,000 for a “VIP account” with promises of minimal risk, only to lose funds after being handed to a different broker.
• External Reviews: Sites like ForexPeaceArmy and ThatSucks.com report fraud allegations, unethical behavior, and accusations of UFX publishing fake positive reviews to counter negative feedback. Risk Level: High, due to consistent complaints about misleading practices, withdrawal issues, and significant financial losses.

3. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Operational Risks:
• License Withdrawal: The 2024 CySEC license withdrawal indicates Reliantco is no longer authorized to provide investment services in Europe, increasing risk for users dealing with an unregulated entity.
• Historical Fines: CySEC fined Reliantco €95,000 in 2017 for issues with customer support, advertising, and suitability checks, indicating past compliance failures.
• FCA Ban: In June 2020, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) banned Reliantco from conducting regulated activities with UK consumers, citing lack of permissions.
• Financial Risks:
• UFX’s website previously stated that 71% of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs, with some regulators estimating losses as high as 90%.
• High-pressure tactics and unrealistic promises of gains exacerbate financial risks for inexperienced investors.
• Reputational Risks: Widespread negative reviews and fraud allegations damage trust. The company’s association with offshore entities (e.g., Vanuatu, Marshall Islands) further raises concerns. Risk Level: High, due to regulatory issues, historical fines, and significant client losses.

4. Website Security Tools ¶

• Website Accessibility: As of 2023, UFX’s website (https://www.ufx.com/) was reported inaccessible, which prevents direct analysis of current security features.
• Historical Security Claims: UFX claimed to be a “safe, secure, and regulated” broker, but these claims are undermined by its license withdrawal and regulatory bans.
• Potential Security Red Flags:
• Lack of transparency about current website security (e.g., SSL certificates, encryption) due to inaccessibility.
• Past complaints about account security, such as UFX blocking access to trading platforms (e.g., Ramona Ang’s case).
• Recommendations: Without access to the live website, users cannot verify security features. Avoid engaging until the site is accessible and security protocols (e.g., HTTPS, two-factor authentication) are confirmed. Risk Level: Unknown but potentially high due to website inaccessibility and historical issues.

5. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain Information:
• Domain: https://www.ufx.com/
• Registrar: Likely registered through a privacy-protected service, as is common for financial firms. Specific WHOIS data is unavailable due to website inaccessibility and lack of recent public records.
• Registration Date: The domain’s age was noted as sufficient to establish a reputation, but exact dates are not provided in available sources.
• Red Flags:
• Inaccessible website prevents verification of current domain ownership or registration details.
• Historical operation under multiple domain names (e.g., ufxaffiliates.com, ufxpartners.com, ufx.company) raises concerns about consistency and transparency.
• Recommendations: Use WHOIS lookup tools (e.g., whois.domaintools.com) when the website is accessible to verify ownership, registration date, and registrar reputation. Risk Level: Moderate, due to lack of current WHOIS data and historical domain complexity.

6. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Hosting Information: No current IP or hosting data is available due to the website’s inaccessibility.
• Historical Context:
• Reliantco operated servers in Cyprus, with potential offshore hosting for related entities (e.g., Vanuatu, Marshall Islands).
• UFX’s liquidity provider, Cyber FX, was registered in South Africa, suggesting distributed infrastructure.
• Red Flags:
• Offshore hosting (e.g., Vanuatu, Marshall Islands) can indicate attempts to evade stringent regulations.
• Lack of transparency about current hosting providers or server security.
• Recommendations: Use tools like SecurityTrails or VirusTotal to analyze IP and hosting when the website is live. Verify hosting provider reputation and server location for regulatory compliance. Risk Level: Moderate, due to unavailable data and historical offshore connections.

7. Social Media Presence ¶

• Social Media Accounts: Reliantco / UFX maintained four social media accounts, demonstrating some transparency. Specific platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook) are not detailed in sources.
• Red Flags:
• Allegations of UFX publishing fake positive reviews online to counter negative feedback suggest potential manipulation of social media presence.
• Social media accounts may be inactive if the company is no longer operational.
• Risk Indicators:
• Fraudsters often use social media to spread misleading information or impersonate legitimate firms. UFX’s history of aggressive marketing raises concerns about authenticity.
• Lack of recent social media activity could indicate abandonment or rebranding.
• Recommendations: Verify social media accounts for activity, follower engagement, and authenticity. Cross-check handles against official contact details and beware of impersonation scams. Risk Level: Moderate, due to potential manipulation and lack of current activity.

8. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Regulatory Red Flags:
• CySEC license withdrawal (2024).
• FCA ban in the UK (2020).
• 2017 CySEC fine of €95,000 for compliance failures.
• Ontario Securities Commission warning (2014).
• Operational Red Flags:
• Inaccessible website and reported closure (2023).
• Association with offshore entities in Vanuatu and Marshall Islands.
• Complaints about aggressive sales, misleading promises, and withdrawal issues.
• Financial Red Flags:
• High loss rates (71–90% of retail investors lose money).
• Allegations of fraud and significant client losses.
• Consumer Red Flags:
• Pushy brokers pressuring clients to invest large sums.
• Misrepresentation of risks and returns.
• Legal disputes, such as Ramona Ang v. Reliantco (2019), highlighting consumer status and jurisdictional challenges.
• Brand Confusion:
• UFX operated under multiple names (e.g., UFX Trade Limited, UFX Bank, UFX Markets), which could confuse consumers.
• Similarity to other financial brands or potential impersonation risks on social media.
• General Risk Indicators:
• Lack of transparency about current operations.
• History of regulatory scrutiny and consumer harm.
• Offshore connections reducing accountability. Risk Level: High, due to multiple red flags across regulatory, operational, and consumer dimensions.

9. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Historical Content:
• UFX’s website promoted itself as a “safe, secure, and regulated” CFD broker, offering tools like MassInsights (market sentiment indicators).
• Emphasized proprietary trading platforms and mobile apps, but reviews criticized usability and transparency.
• Disclosed high loss rates (71% of retail investors lose money), which is standard but highlights risk.
• Red Flags:
• Inaccessible website prevents current content analysis.
• Historical claims of safety and regulation are now invalid due to license withdrawal.
• Aggressive marketing and minimization of risks were noted as misleading.
• Recommendations: Avoid relying on historical website claims. If the website becomes accessible, scrutinize risk disclosures, terms of service, and regulatory status. Risk Level: High, due to inaccessibility and historical misleading content.

10. Regulatory Status ¶

• Past Regulation:
• Regulated by CySEC (license 127/10) from 2011 until November 2024.
• Previously authorized by the FCA (reference number 569242), but this was revoked.
• Registered with the Czech National Bank and over via a Czech branch.
• Registered with over 20 EU regulatory bodies historically.
• Current Status:
• CySEC withdrew Reliantco’s license in 2024 due to inactivity.
• FCA banned Reliantco from UK activities in 2020.
• No current regulatory oversight, making UFX an unregulated broker.
• Implications:
• Unregulated brokers pose significant risks, as they are not subject to investor protection schemes (e.g., Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund).
• Historical fines and bans indicate ongoing compliance issues.
• Recommendations: Avoid unregulated brokers. Verify regulatory status via CySEC (cysec.gov.cy) or FCA (fca.org.uk) before engaging. Risk Level: Critical, due to lack of current regulation.

11. User Precautions ¶

• Due Diligence:
• Verify broker regulation with primary sources (e.g., CySEC, FCA).
• Research reviews on independent platforms (e.g., ForexPeaceArmy, ComplaintsBoard) but beware of fake reviews.
• Use WHOIS and IP tools to assess website legitimacy when accessible.
• Financial Precautions:
• Start with small investments to test withdrawal processes.
• Avoid brokers with high-pressure sales tactics or unrealistic promises.
• Understand CFD risks (71–90% loss rates).
• Security Precautions:
• Ensure websites use HTTPS and two-factor authentication.
• Avoid sharing sensitive information (e.g., credit card details) unless security is verified.
• Legal Precautions:
• Consult a securities lawyer if you suspect fraud or face withdrawal issues.
• Report suspected scams to regulators (e.g., SEC, FCA) or law enforcement.
• Social Media Precautions:
• Verify social media accounts to avoid impersonation scams.
• Do not base investment decisions solely on social media promotions.

12. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Multiple Brand Names: UFX operated as UFX Trade Limited, UFX Bank, and UFX Markets, which could confuse consumers about its identity.
• Offshore Entities: Associations with entities in Vanuatu, Marshall Islands, and Belize (e.g., UFX Trade Limited) create ambiguity about jurisdiction and regulation.
• Similar Names: Risk of confusion with legitimate financial firms or cloned websites mimicking UFX.
• Recommendations:
• Verify the exact entity (Reliantco Investments Ltd) and website (ufx.com) before engaging.
• Cross-check contact details and regulatory licenses to avoid clones or imposters.
• Be cautious of similar-sounding brands or domains (e.g., ufx.company, ufxaffiliates.com). Risk Level: Moderate, due to historical brand variations and potential for impersonation.

13. Conclusion and Risk Summary ¶

Reliantco Investments Ltd (UFX) presents a high to critical risk for investors due to:

• Regulatory Issues: License withdrawal by CySEC (2024), FCA ban (2020), and historical fines.
• Operational Concerns: Inaccessible website, reported closure, and offshore connections.
• Consumer Complaints: Widespread allegations of fraud, misleading practices, and withdrawal issues.
• Financial Risks: High loss rates and significant client losses.
• Transparency Issues: Lack of current website access, unclear social media activity, and potential fake reviews. Recommendation: Avoid engaging with Reliantco Investments Ltd / UFX unless its website is accessible, regulatory status is reinstated, and independent reviews confirm improved practices. For safer alternatives, choose brokers with active, reputable licenses (e.g., CySEC, FCA), transparent operations, and positive user feedback. Always conduct thorough due diligence and consult financial advisors before investing.

14. Sources ¶

• LeapRate: CySEC fines Reliantco Investments Ltd €95,000
• FX News Group: CySEC withdraws Reliantco’s license
• Finance Magnates: CySEC fines UFX parent
• Scam Broker Investigator: UFX Review
• ComplaintsBoard: Reliantco Investments / UFX complaints
• Farrer & Co: Ramona Ang v. Reliantco
• Mikov & Attorneys: UFX Review
• ThatSucks.com: UFX Review
• FCA: Warning List
• Investor.gov: Social Media and Investing Note: This analysis is based on available data as of April 21, 2025. If UFX resumes operations or new information emerges, re-evaluate using primary sources and updated reviews.