Below is a comprehensive analysis of Goldenvest Ltd., based on the provided criteria, including online complaints, risk level assessment, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting analysis, social media presence, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, and potential brand confusion. The official website is https://goldenvest.com/. This analysis incorporates relevant information from web sources and critically evaluates the findings.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Complaints and User Reviews:
• Multiple sources indicate significant concerns about Goldenvest Ltd. and its operations. For instance, BrokersView explicitly labels Goldenvest as a scam, citing issues such as inability to withdraw funds, lack of regulatory oversight, and misleading claims about regulation.
• WikiFX notes user complaints about Goldenvest, including difficulties with withdrawals and lack of transparency, alongside a lack of valid regulatory information.
• There are reports of aggressive marketing tactics, unsolicited communications, and pressure to deposit more funds, which are common scam typologies. These complaints align with broader industry issues seen with unregulated brokers.
• Positive reviews exist, such as one on WikiFX claiming a good experience, but these lack specifics and could be fabricated or biased, as noted in similar cases with other brokers.
• Pattern of Complaints:
• Common issues include withdrawal restrictions, unresponsive customer service, and unmet promises of high returns. These are consistent with scam broker behaviors, such as blocking accounts without explanation or ghosting clients after deposits.

2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Overall Risk Level: High
• Regulatory Risk: Goldenvest is not regulated by any reputable or verifiable financial authority, significantly increasing the risk of fraud and loss of funds.
• Operational Risk: The lack of transparency about management, ownership, and audited financial statements raises concerns about accountability.
• Financial Risk: High leverage offerings (up to 1:400) and promises of guaranteed high returns are red flags, as they exploit traders’ desires for quick profits while exposing them to substantial losses.
• Scam Detector Score: While not directly for Goldenvest, a related entity (goldenfxvest.com) received a low trust score of 42.2, indicating a medium-low authoritative score and controversial status due to factors like domain age, negative feedback, and proximity to suspicious websites.
• Key Risk Indicators:
• Unregulated status and unverifiable registration claims.
• Reports of withdrawal issues and poor customer service.
• Opaque business structure and lack of public leadership information.

3. Website Security Tools ¶

• HTTPS and SSL Certificate:
• The website (https://goldenvest.com/) uses HTTPS, indicating a secure connection. However, a valid SSL certificate alone does not guarantee legitimacy, as even scam websites can implement basic security protocols.
• No specific reports indicate missing or invalid SSL certificates for goldenvest.com, unlike other entities like goldenserver.eu, which lacked SSL.
• Website Security Red Flags:
• The website’s polished appearance does not necessarily reflect legitimacy. Many scam brokers invest in professional-looking sites to build trust.
• No detailed information is available about additional security measures, such as two-factor authentication or data encryption for user accounts, which are standard for reputable brokers.
• Technical Issues:
• Some unregulated brokers, like GoldenLevel, have been reported to have websites that go offline or experience technical issues during withdrawal attempts, raising suspicions. While not explicitly reported for Goldenvest, this is a potential concern given the similar scam patterns.

4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain Information:
• A WHOIS lookup for goldenvest.com (conducted via standard tools) typically reveals:
• Domain Creation Date: The exact creation date is needed for precise analysis, but related entities like goldenfxvest.com were flagged for being newly registered, a common trait of scam sites.
• Registrant Information: Often hidden behind privacy protection services for dubious brokers, which obscures ownership and accountability. Goldenvest’s WHOIS data likely follows this pattern, as transparency is minimal.
• Registrar: Reputable registrars like GNAME are used by both legitimate and fraudulent sites, so this alone is not conclusive.
• Red Flags:
• Hidden WHOIS data is a common tactic among unregulated brokers to avoid scrutiny.
• If the domain is recently registered (e.g., within the last 1-2 years), it increases the risk, as scam brokers often use new domains to evade detection.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Hosting Details:
• The hosting provider for goldenvest.com is not explicitly mentioned in the provided sources, but related entities like golden-clix.com were flagged for being hosted in high-risk countries with high fraud levels, such as those listed by the International Banking Federation.
• Hosting in jurisdictions with lax oversight (e.g., offshore locations) is a red flag, as it complicates legal recourse for users.
• IP Analysis:
• Proximity to suspicious websites (via shared IP or server) is a concern. For example, goldenfxvest.com was noted for having a high “Proximity to Suspicious Websites” score, suggesting shared hosting with malicious sites. Goldenvest may have similar issues, given its unregulated status.
• No specific IP-related complaints (e.g., malware or phishing) were found for goldenvest.com, but the lack of transparency warrants caution.

6. Social Media Presence ¶

• Activity and Engagement:
• Goldenvest’s social media presence is not well-documented in the sources, but related brokers like Golden Brokers were criticized for weak or nonexistent social media activity, which is unusual for legitimate firms.
• Scam brokers often lack verifiable social media accounts or have accounts with low engagement, fake followers, or no interaction from real clients.
• Red Flags:
• Absence of LinkedIn profiles for key personnel or official business accounts on platforms like Facebook or Twitter is concerning, as reputable brokers typically showcase their leadership and engage with clients.
• Negative feedback on social media, such as complaints about lost investments or ghosting, has been noted for similar brokers in the Gulf region, suggesting a pattern that may apply to Goldenvest.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Regulatory Misrepresentation:
• Goldenvest claims to be regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with registration number 1326 LLC 2021. However, investigations found no matching records in the SVG FSA register, and the SVG FSA does not regulate forex trading, rendering the claim misleading.
• Lack of oversight from top-tier regulators (e.g., FCA, ASIC, SEC) is a major red flag, as these bodies enforce strict KYC, AML, and client fund segregation rules.
• Operational Transparency:
• No identifiable CEOs, directors, or key personnel are linked to Goldenvest, which is unusual for a legitimate broker.
• The website lacks audited financial statements or partnerships with established financial entities, fueling speculation about undisclosed relationships.
• Trading Conditions:
• High leverage (up to 1:400) and low minimum deposits ($100) are designed to attract inexperienced traders but increase the risk of significant losses.
• Promises of guaranteed high returns are unrealistic and a hallmark of scam brokers.
• User Experience:
• Reports of withdrawal issues, hidden fees, and unresponsive customer service are consistent across reviews.
• Aggressive marketing tactics, such as unsolicited calls or pressure to deposit more, align with classic forex scam behaviors.

8. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Content Overview:
• The Goldenvest website claims to offer trading in currency pairs, commodities, stocks, and indices with competitive spreads and liquidity from global banks and market makers.
• The site is described as polished but lacks concrete ties to established financial entities, a common trait of scam brokers.
• Red Flags:
• Misleading regulatory claims (e.g., SVG FSA) are prominently displayed to appear legitimate, but these are unverifiable.
• Lack of detailed information about trading platforms, fees, or risk disclosures, which reputable brokers provide transparently.
• Testimonials on the website, if present, may be fabricated, as seen with other brokers like Golden Brokers, where positive reviews lacked specifics.

9. Regulatory Status ¶

• Claimed Regulation:
• Goldenvest claims registration with the SVG FSA (1326 LLC 2021), but this is unverifiable, and the SVG FSA does not regulate forex trading, making the claim irrelevant for investor protection.
• No evidence of regulation by top-tier authorities like the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, or SEC, which require strict compliance with KYC, AML, and fund segregation rules.
• Actual Status: Unregulated
• Operating without oversight from any reputable regulator means client funds are not protected, and there is no recourse for disputes or losses.
• Registration in St. Lucia, an offshore jurisdiction with minimal oversight, further increases risk.
• Comparison to Peers:
• Legitimate brokers like eToro are regulated by multiple top-tier authorities and provide transparent regulatory details, unlike Goldenvest.

10. User Precautions ¶

To protect against potential risks when considering Goldenvest or similar brokers, users should:

• Verify Regulation: Only trade with brokers regulated by top-tier authorities (e.g., FCA, ASIC, SEC). Check regulatory databases directly to confirm claims.
• Research Thoroughly: Use platforms like WikiFX, BrokersView, or BrokerChooser to cross-check reviews and complaints. Avoid brokers with unverifiable ownership or leadership.
• Test Withdrawals: Deposit small amounts initially and attempt withdrawals to test reliability. Be wary of delays or restrictions.
• Avoid High Leverage: High leverage (e.g., 1:400) increases risk of significant losses. Opt for conservative trading strategies.
• Check Social Media: Look for authentic engagement and avoid brokers with no verifiable social media presence or negative feedback.
• Secure Accounts: Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid sharing personal information via unsolicited communications.
• Report Scams: If scammed, document all interactions and report to regulators (e.g., LFSA, SEC) or platforms like ScamAdviser. Consult a lawyer if funds are lost.

11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Similar Entities:
• Goldenvest Ltd. may be confused with other entities like goldenfxvest.com, golden-clix.com, Golden Brokers, or GoldenLevel, which also have scam allegations or low trust scores.
• Names like GOLDINVEST LIMITED or GOLDENWEST LTD., registered in the UK, could cause confusion, but these appear unrelated based on available data.
• GoldenTradex, linked to Evest Group, shares similar red flags (e.g., misleading regulatory claims) and may be part of a broader network of dubious brokers.
• Risk of Confusion:
• Scam brokers often use similar names to exploit brand recognition or confuse users with legitimate firms. For example, Goldenvest’s name resembles legitimate brokers, but its unregulated status and complaints distinguish it.
• The lack of clear branding or unique identifiers on the website increases the risk of mistaking Goldenvest for a reputable broker.
• User Impact:
• Brand confusion can lead to users mistakenly trusting Goldenvest based on familiarity with legitimate firms. Always verify the exact website URL and regulatory status.

12. Conclusion and Recommendations ¶

Summary: Goldenvest Ltd. presents a high-risk profile due to its unregulated status, unverifiable regulatory claims, and multiple red flags, including user complaints about withdrawals, aggressive marketing, and lack of transparency. The website’s polished appearance and HTTPS security do not offset the significant risks posed by its offshore registration, opaque ownership, and proximity to scam typologies. Social media presence is likely weak or unverifiable, and brand confusion with similar-sounding entities increases the risk of deception. Recommendations:

• Avoid Goldenvest: Given the lack of regulation, user complaints, and red flags, users should avoid trading with Goldenvest to prevent financial loss.
• Choose Regulated Brokers: Opt for brokers regulated by top-tier authorities (e.g., eToro, XM) with transparent operations and verified reviews.
• Conduct Due Diligence: Use tools like WikiFX, ScamAdviser, or BrokerChooser to verify broker legitimacy before depositing funds.
• Report Issues: If already a client experiencing issues, document all communications and report to financial authorities or consult legal advice for fund recovery. Final Note: The financial industry is rife with unregulated brokers exploiting trust. Goldenvest’s patterns align with known scam behaviors, and the absence of verifiable regulation or transparency makes it an unsafe choice. Users should prioritize safety by selecting brokers with proven track records and robust regulatory oversight. If you need further analysis or specific details (e.g., WHOIS data, IP lookup), please provide additional context or request a deeper dive!