Below is a comprehensive analysis of Mekness Limited, a forex and investment broker, based on the requested criteria. The analysis draws from available online information, including user complaints, regulatory details, website security, and other relevant factors. All findings are critically evaluated, with citations provided where applicable.

1. Overview of Mekness Limited ¶

Website: https://mekness.com/
Company Details:
Operated by: Mekness Limited
Registration: No. 2024-00682, registered in Saint Lucia (Ground Floor, The Sotheby Building, Rodney Village, Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet, Saint Lucia)
Operational Address: Office number 202, Blue Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, UAE
Contact: +971 43 88 4268, +971 54 719 9005
NFA ID: 0563092 (claimed, but unverified)
Services: Offers trading in forex, commodities, stocks, futures, options, CFDs, and a proprietary risk management product called “Risk Manager.” Claims to provide low spreads, high leverage (up to 1:500), and a user-friendly platform.

2. Online Complaint Information ¶

User reviews and complaints provide mixed feedback, with significant concerns raised:

Negative Complaints:
Trustpilot Reviews (5-6 reviews as of October 2024): One user reported being blocked from their MT5 login after making profits, accusing Mekness of taking their money. This is a serious allegation suggesting potential scam behavior.
WikiFX Complaints: Some users reported slow trade execution, high spreads, and inaccurate trading signals, which negatively impact trading efficiency.
ForexBrokerz and TheForexReview: Reviews from 2022 highlight Mekness’s lack of regulation, high leverage (1:500), and high spreads (over 1 pip), which are deemed unfavorable compared to regulated brokers. They also note issues with withdrawal processes, such as high fees (15% if minimum traded volume requirements are not met).
ScamRecovery.net: Reports that Mekness is not trustworthy due to its unregulated status and advises users to attempt chargebacks, though crypto-only deposits make this difficult.
Positive Feedback:
Some users on WikiFX and Trustpilot praised Mekness for its user-friendly platform, customer service, and low spreads. One user noted a withdrawal processed in 24 hours. However, positive reviews are sparse and may not outweigh the negative ones.
Positive reviews often seem generic or overly enthusiastic, raising suspicions of potential fake reviews, a common tactic among questionable brokers.
Red Flags from Complaints:
Allegations of account blocking and fund withholding are severe and align with scam broker tactics.
Inconsistent user experiences (e.g., fast withdrawals for some, issues for others) suggest selective service quality, possibly to lure new clients.
Limited number of reviews (e.g., only 5-6 on Trustpilot) makes it hard to assess reliability, as low review volume can indicate a new or low-traffic broker.

3. Risk Level Assessment ¶

Mekness presents a high-risk profile based on the following factors:

Unregulated Status: Mekness operates from Saint Lucia, a jurisdiction with no forex or CFD regulatory oversight. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), where Mekness was previously linked, explicitly does not regulate forex brokers.
Claims of being a “globally regulated broker” are misleading, as no evidence supports licensing by credible regulators like the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, or CFTC.
The NFA ID (0563092) listed on the website could not be verified with the U.S. National Futures Association, suggesting it may be fabricated or irrelevant.
High Leverage: Offers leverage up to 1:500, which is banned or restricted in most regulated jurisdictions (e.g., EU: 1:30, USA: 1:50). High leverage increases the risk of significant losses, especially for retail traders.
Opaque Withdrawal Policies: Reports of high withdrawal fees (15% if minimum traded volume isn’t met) and vague terms (e.g., “3.0 – 1 K”) indicate potential barriers to accessing funds.
Crypto-Only Deposits: Mekness reportedly accepts only cryptocurrency deposits, which are irreversible and make chargebacks impossible, a common trait of scam brokers.
Risk Score: Based on unregulated status, high leverage, and user complaints, Mekness warrants a high-risk rating. Traders face significant financial risk due to lack of oversight and reported issues with fund access.

4. Website Security Tools ¶

SSL Certificate: Mekness.com has a valid SSL certificate, ensuring encrypted communication between the user’s device and the website. This is a basic security measure expected of any legitimate site.
Website Vulnerabilities: No specific reports of vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, XSS) were found, but the lack of transparency about security practices raises concerns. Legitimate brokers typically detail cybersecurity measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) or segregated client funds, which Mekness does not clearly address.
Privacy Policy: The website includes a Privacy Policy, but it is generic and lacks specifics about data handling or third-party sharing.
Red Flag: The absence of detailed security protocols (e.g., fund segregation, client data protection) is concerning for a financial platform handling sensitive user information and funds.

5. WHOIS Lookup ¶

Domain: mekness.com
Registrar: NameCheap, Inc.
Registration Date: February 14, 2021 (relatively new, ~4 years old as of April 2025)
Updated Date: January 15, 2025
Registrant: Privacy protection service used to hide registrant details, which is common but can be a red flag for brokers aiming to conceal ownership.
Red Flag: Hidden WHOIS data reduces transparency. Legitimate brokers often provide clear ownership details to build trust.

6. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

Hosting Provider: Cloudflare, Inc., a reputable provider used for DDoS protection and performance optimization.
IP Address: Likely dynamic due to Cloudflare’s CDN, making precise geolocation difficult.
Server Location: Servers may be distributed globally, but the operational address in the UAE suggests possible hosting in the Middle East or nearby regions.
Red Flag: While Cloudflare is legitimate, its use can obscure server details, making it harder to trace the broker’s infrastructure. This is not inherently suspicious but aligns with practices used by some shady brokers to mask their operations.

Presence: Mekness has limited social media activity. No official accounts were prominently linked on the website, and searches on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram yielded minimal results.
User Feedback on Social Media: ScamRecovery.net notes that reviews on social media platforms and trading forums generally express dissatisfaction, with users warning about Mekness’s reliability.
Red Flag: A legitimate broker typically maintains active social media accounts to engage clients and share updates. Mekness’s minimal presence suggests either a lack of marketing effort or an intent to avoid scrutiny.

8. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

Several red flags indicate Mekness may not be a trustworthy broker:

Lack of Regulation: Operating from Saint Lucia with no oversight from credible regulators is a major concern.
Connection to DMACapitals: Reviews from 2022 note that Mekness’s website is nearly identical to DMACapitals, another offshore broker with questionable practices. This suggests possible rebranding or shared ownership by a scam network.
High Leverage and Spreads: Leverage of 1:500 and spreads above 1 pip are risky and not competitive with regulated brokers.
Crypto-Only Payments: Accepting only cryptocurrencies limits recourse for users if funds are lost.
Vague Terms: Withdrawal conditions (e.g., minimum traded volume, high fees) are unclear and resemble tactics used by scam brokers to trap funds.
Brand Name Choice: The name “Mekness” mirrors a city in Morocco (Meknes), which is unrelated to the broker’s operations. This could be an attempt to create confusion or appear legitimate.
Low Online Presence: Sparse reviews, limited social media, and a relatively new domain (2021) suggest a lack of established reputation.

9. Website Content Analysis ¶

Claims and Promises:
Mekness markets itself as a “game changer” reshaping the investment world, with goals to reach 20 million investors in 10 years. These grandiose claims lack substantiation.
Emphasizes simplicity and accessibility, offering a demo account and education services, which are standard but often used by scam brokers to attract novices.
Promotes a “Risk Manager” product for currency risk management, but details are vague, and its effectiveness is unverified.
Transparency:
The website lists legal details (registration number, addresses), but these are in high-risk jurisdictions (Saint Lucia, UAE) with limited regulatory oversight.
Risk warnings are present but generic, stating that trading involves significant risk and may not be suitable for everyone.
Red Flags:
Exaggerated marketing language (e.g., “reshaping the rules of the investment world”) without evidence of industry recognition or awards.
Lack of detailed terms and conditions, especially regarding withdrawals and fees, which is unusual for a legitimate broker.

10. Regulatory Status ¶

No Valid Regulation: Mekness is not licensed by any recognized financial authority (e.g., FCA, ASIC, CySEC, CFTC). Its registration in Saint Lucia does not provide regulatory oversight for forex or CFD trading.
Misleading Claims: The website’s claim of being “globally regulated” is false, as Saint Lucia’s FSA does not regulate forex brokers, and no other licenses are disclosed.
Comparison to Regulated Brokers: Licensed brokers offer protections like negative balance protection, segregated funds, and participation in compensation schemes (e.g., FSCS in the UK). Mekness provides none of these.

11. User Precautions ¶

To protect against potential risks when considering Mekness, users should:

Verify Regulation: Always choose brokers licensed by reputable regulators (e.g., FCA, ASIC, CySEC). Check the regulator’s website for confirmation.
Avoid Crypto-Only Brokers: Prefer brokers offering reversible payment methods (e.g., bank transfers, credit cards) for chargeback options.
Test with Small Amounts: If using Mekness, start with a demo account or minimal deposit to assess withdrawal reliability.
Research Reviews: Cross-check user reviews on multiple platforms (e.g., Trustpilot, ForexPeaceArmy) and be wary of overly positive or generic feedback.
Demand Transparency: Request clear terms for withdrawals, fees, and trading conditions before depositing funds.
File Complaints Promptly: If issues arise, report to local authorities and attempt chargebacks (though difficult with crypto). Services like MyChargeBack may assist.
Use Security Tools: Install browser extensions like ScamAdviser to detect potentially fraudulent websites.

12. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

Name Similarity: The name “Mekness” resembles “Meknes,” a city in Morocco, which has no connection to the broker. This could be an intentional choice to create a false sense of legitimacy or confuse users.
Connection to DMACapitals: The identical website design and shared offshore status with DMACapitals suggest Mekness may be part of a broader scam network, potentially rebranding to evade negative reviews.
Risk of Misrepresentation: Mekness’s claim of being a “globally regulated broker” could mislead users into assuming it has credible oversight, which it lacks.

13. Conclusion and Recommendations ¶

Mekness Limited presents significant risks due to its unregulated status, high leverage, crypto-only deposits, and user complaints about account blocking and withdrawal issues. The broker’s operations in Saint Lucia, lack of transparency, and connections to another questionable broker (DMACapitals) further elevate concerns. While some users report positive experiences, these are outweighed by red flags, including misleading regulatory claims and vague terms. Recommendation: Avoid trading with Mekness unless clear evidence of regulation and consistent positive user feedback emerges. Instead, opt for brokers licensed by reputable authorities (e.g., FCA, ASIC, CySEC) to ensure fund safety and legal recourse. Conduct thorough due diligence, including checking regulator databases and reading independent reviews, before investing. Risk Level: High – Proceed with extreme caution, if at all.

14. Sources ¶

All information is derived from the provided web results and critically evaluated for accuracy. Key sources include:

WikiFX:
Mekness.com:
ForexBrokerz:
TheForexReview:
ScamRecovery.net:
Trustpilot:
ForexPeaceArmy:
Scamadviser: If you need further details or specific checks (e.g., deeper WHOIS analysis, social media posts), please let me know!

AI risk analysis - Mekness (2025-04-29 17:35:30)