Below is a comprehensive analysis of Trade-24.com based on the requested criteria, using available information and critical evaluation. The analysis covers online complaints, risk level, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting, social media presence, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, brand confusion, and website content.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Trustpilot Reviews: Trade-24.com has a low Trustpilot rating of 1.8 stars based on 40 reviews, indicating significant user dissatisfaction. Common complaints include:
• Difficulty withdrawing funds, with users reporting excuses like additional fees (e.g., “ECC fee,” “SARS fee”) or requirements to deposit more money.
• Allegations of being locked out of accounts or scammed, with one user claiming a loss of $20,000 and inability to close their account.
• Reports of fraudulent practices, such as being pressured to pay additional fees (e.g., $4,000 for withdrawals) without resolution.
• WikiFX Feedback: A trader reported being scammed by a similar platform, Trade 24 (potentially related), and being unable to withdraw funds, highlighting a pattern of withdrawal issues.
• General Sentiment: The consistent theme across reviews is financial loss, lack of transparency, and poor customer service, raising serious concerns about the broker’s legitimacy. Risk Indicator: High volume of complaints about fund withdrawal and scam allegations suggests a significant risk of financial loss.

2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• BrokerChooser Analysis: Trade-24.com is explicitly flagged as “not a safe and trusted choice” due to its lack of regulation by a top-tier financial authority. BrokerChooser’s experts, who analyze over 30,000 brokers, recommend avoiding Trade-24.com.
• Fundevity Review: The broker operates without oversight from reputable regulators like the FCA, CySEC, BaFin, or FINMA, increasing the risk to investors. It has received warnings from the FCA, CFTC, and FINMA, which are strong indicators of potential fraud.
• Trustpilot Score: The 1.8-star rating is well below the 4.5-star threshold recommended for reliable brokers, signaling high risk.
• Lack of Transparency: The absence of clear information about payment methods, fees, and withdrawal processes further elevates the risk profile. Risk Level: High. The combination of regulatory warnings, poor user feedback, and lack of transparency indicates a substantial risk of financial loss or fraudulent activity.

3. Website Security Tools ¶

• SSL Certificate: Trade-24.com’s security details are not explicitly provided in the sources, but scam sites often lack robust security measures. Fundevity notes that Trade-24.com uses MetaTrader 4 (MT4), which has encrypted data exchange, but this is a platform feature, not a guarantee of the broker’s website security.
• SafeWebTalk Analysis: For a related site, Trade224.com, SafeWebTalk could not verify WHOIS information and noted a low rating (6/10) due to potential scam-like content and lack of social media presence. This suggests Trade-24.com may also have inadequate security or transparency.
• General Concerns: Without specific data on SSL certificates, two-factor authentication, or other security protocols, users should assume minimal protection against data breaches or phishing. Risk Indicator: Potential lack of robust website security, especially given scam allegations, increases vulnerability to data theft or fraudulent transactions.

4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• WHOIS Data: Specific WHOIS information for Trade-24.com is not provided in the sources, but SafeWebTalk’s analysis of Trade224.com noted that WHOIS data could not be read, which is a red flag for lack of transparency.
• Implications: Legitimate brokers typically have publicly accessible WHOIS records showing clear ownership, registration dates, and contact details. Hidden or unavailable WHOIS data suggests an intent to obscure ownership, common among scam brokers. Risk Indicator: Inaccessible WHOIS data is a strong red flag, indicating potential intent to evade accountability.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Hosting Information: No specific IP or hosting details are available for Trade-24.com in the provided sources. However, SafeWebTalk’s review of Trade224.com indicates hosting in Canada, which is not inherently suspicious but lacks context without further data.
• Risk Factors: Scam brokers often use offshore or low-cost hosting providers to minimize traceability. Without verifiable hosting information, it’s difficult to assess the broker’s operational legitimacy. Risk Indicator: Lack of transparent hosting details aligns with patterns seen in untrustworthy brokers, increasing risk.

6. Social Media Presence ¶

• Social Media Activity: SafeWebTalk’s analysis of Trade224.com noted no detectable social media accounts, which is unusual for a legitimate broker aiming to engage users.
• Trade-24.com Specifics: Trustpilot mentions Trade-24.com’s platform integrates with social networks, but there’s no evidence of active, verifiable social media profiles (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook).
• Red Flags: Legitimate brokers typically maintain active social media presence for customer engagement and transparency. The absence of such accounts suggests a lack of accountability or a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny. Risk Indicator: Minimal or nonexistent social media presence is a red flag, as it limits user interaction and transparency.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

The following red flags are identified based on the analysis:

• Lack of Regulation: Trade-24.com is not regulated by any top-tier authority (e.g., FCA, CySEC, ASIC) and has warnings from multiple regulators (FCA, CFTC, FINMA).
• Withdrawal Issues: Numerous complaints about inability to withdraw funds, with demands for additional deposits or fees.
• Low Trustpilot Rating: A 1.8-star rating indicates widespread user dissatisfaction.
• Opaque Operations: Missing details on payment methods, fees, and withdrawal processes.
• No Demo Account: The absence of a demo account prevents users from testing the platform without financial risk, a common feature of legitimate brokers.
• High Minimum Deposits: Account types range from $500 to $50,000, which is high compared to licensed brokers offering starter accounts as low as $100.
• Regulatory Warnings: Explicit warnings from reputable authorities signal serious operational issues.
• Potential Scam Patterns: Content similarities with known scam sites, as noted in related analyses (e.g., Trade224.com). Risk Indicator: Multiple red flags, including regulatory warnings and user complaints, strongly suggest Trade-24.com is untrustworthy or potentially fraudulent.

8. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Platform Details: Trade-24.com operates on MetaTrader 4, a reputable platform with robust features like technical analysis tools, instant execution, and encrypted data exchange. However, MT4’s credibility does not extend to the broker’s operations.
• Account Types: Offers six account types (Classic to ECN) with minimum deposits from $500 to $50,000. The high entry barriers and lack of a demo account are concerning for new traders.
• Transparency Issues: The website lacks clear information on payment methods, fees, withdrawal processes, and third-party deposit policies, which is critical for user trust.
• Suspicious Claims: BrokerChooser notes that Trade-24.com may promote “great investment opportunities” via emails, forums, or social media, which could be misleading given its lack of regulation.
• Content Red Flags: The absence of educational resources or demo accounts, combined with high deposit requirements, suggests a focus on extracting funds rather than supporting traders. Risk Indicator: The website’s lack of transparency and focus on high deposits without educational support aligns with scam broker tactics.

9. Regulatory Status ¶

• Unregulated: Trade-24.com is not regulated by any recognized financial authority, a critical red flag. BrokerChooser and Fundevity confirm it lacks oversight from top-tier regulators like FCA, CySEC, ASIC, or FINMA.
• Regulatory Warnings: The broker has received warnings from:
• FCA (UK): Indicates unauthorized operations or potential fraud.
• CFTC (US): Suggests risks to investors, particularly in forex or CFD trading.
• FINMA (Switzerland): Flags the broker as a risk to financial consumers.
• Comparison: Legitimate brokers are typically registered with at least one top-tier regulator, ensuring compliance with strict standards. Trade-24.com’s lack of regulation leaves users with little recourse if scammed. Risk Indicator: Unregulated status and multiple regulatory warnings confirm a high likelihood of fraudulent activity.

10. User Precautions ¶

To protect against potential risks when considering Trade-24.com or similar brokers, users should:

• Verify Regulation: Only engage with brokers regulated by top-tier authorities (e.g., FCA, ASIC, CySEC). Check regulatory databases directly.
• Research Reviews: Investigate user feedback on platforms like Trustpilot or WikiFX, focusing on withdrawal issues or scam allegations.
• Test with Small Deposits: If engaging with a broker, start with a minimal deposit to test withdrawal processes. Avoid high initial investments.
• Use Demo Accounts: Prefer brokers offering demo accounts to evaluate the platform without financial risk.
• Secure Accounts: Never share account credentials and enable two-factor authentication where available.
• Monitor Regularly: Periodically check the broker’s website and regulatory status for changes or new warnings.
• Avoid Pressure Tactics: Be wary of brokers demanding additional deposits or fees for withdrawals, a common scam tactic.
• Seek Professional Advice: Consult independent financial advisors before investing, especially with unregulated brokers.

11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Similar Names: Trade-24.com may be confused with other brokers like:
• Trade24 (also flagged as unsafe by BrokerChooser).
• Trade24 Global Ltd. (similarly unregulated).
• 24 Trade (no valid regulation, low WikiFX score).
• 24option (unregulated, not recommended).
• 24 News Trade (unsafe per BrokerChooser).
• Trade224.com (suspicious, low rating).
• Trademark Likelihood of Confusion: The USPTO notes that trademarks with similar sound, appearance, or commercial impression can cause confusion if goods/services are related. Trade-24.com’s name closely resembles other trading platforms, potentially leading users to mistake it for a legitimate broker.
• Risk of Confusion: The similarity in naming, combined with the broker’s presence in forums or social media, could exploit user trust, especially if mistaken for a regulated entity like eToro or Trading.com. Risk Indicator: High potential for brand confusion due to similar naming conventions, increasing the risk of users engaging with an untrustworthy broker.

12. Critical Evaluation ¶

While Trade-24.com uses MetaTrader 4, a reputable platform, this does not offset its numerous red flags. The lack of regulation, regulatory warnings, poor user reviews, and opaque operations strongly suggest it is not a legitimate broker. The high minimum deposits and absence of demo accounts indicate a focus on extracting funds rather than fostering trading success. The potential for brand confusion with similarly named brokers further complicates its trustworthiness. The establishment narrative (e.g., BrokerChooser, Fundevity) consistently warns against Trade-24.com, and there’s no evidence contradicting these findings. However, the lack of specific WHOIS or hosting data limits a complete technical assessment, which users should investigate independently.

Conclusion ¶

Overall Risk Level: Very High. Trade-24.com exhibits multiple characteristics of a potential scam broker, including lack of regulation, regulatory warnings, withdrawal issues, low user ratings, and opaque operations. The absence of social media presence, demo accounts, and transparent WHOIS/hosting data further undermines its credibility. Recommendation: Avoid Trade-24.com and opt for brokers regulated by top-tier authorities (e.g., FCA, ASIC, CySEC). Use BrokerChooser’s “Find My Broker” tool or consult a financial advisor to identify safer alternatives. User Action: If you’ve engaged with Trade-24.com, immediately secure your account, document all transactions, and contact your bank or a legal professional if funds are at risk. Report the broker to regulators like the FCA or CFTC if you suspect fraud.

Sources Cited: -, If you need further assistance or specific checks (e.g., WHOIS lookup, social media verification), let me know!