Below is a comprehensive analysis of Alpari (Comoros) Ltd based on the requested criteria, including online complaints, risk assessment, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting, social media, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, and potential brand confusion. The analysis draws on available information, critically evaluates the data, and avoids unsupported assumptions.

1. Overview of Alpari (Comoros) Ltd ¶

• Company Details: Alpari (Comoros) Ltd is registered in Fomboni, Island of Mohéli, Comoros Union, under number HY00423015. It is licensed by the Mwali International Services Authority (MISA) as an International Brokerage and Clearing House under license number T2023236.
• Services: Offers trading in Forex, CFDs, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and binary options through MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and the Alpari Mobile app.
• Established: Founded in 1998, with a global presence and a reported user base of 2 million.
• Headquarters: Bonovo Road, Fomboni, Mohéli Island, Comoros Union.

2. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Sources of Complaints:
• WikiFX: Reports 83 complaints in the past three months, including issues with delayed or denied withdrawals, unresponsive customer service, and uncredited deposits. Users claim funds were lost due to platform changes or market manipulations.
• Trustpilot: Mixed reviews (78 total). Positive feedback highlights supportive staff and reliable charts, but negative reviews mention high crypto commissions, unexpected trade closures, and issues with PAMM account discontinuations.
• Myfxbook: Users report dissatisfaction with the removal of PAMM accounts without warning and opaque withdrawal/deposit fees. However, some praise competitive spreads and platform reliability.
• Cybercriminal.com: Labels Alpari as a scam in multiple countries, citing blacklisting by India’s Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and warnings from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
• Common Issues:
• Withdrawal Delays/Denials: Multiple users report difficulties withdrawing funds, with requests pending for days or requiring excessive documentation (e.g., bank statements, card photos).
• Customer Service: Complaints about slow or robotic responses, with some users alleging no resolution to issues.
• Platform Changes: Losses attributed to unannounced changes in trading conditions or account types (e.g., PAMM account discontinuation).
• Positive Feedback: Some users appreciate low spreads, flexible account options, and reliable platforms (MT4/MT5). Analysis: The volume of complaints, particularly on WikiFX, is concerning, especially regarding withdrawals and customer service. However, Trustpilot and Myfxbook show a mix of positive and negative experiences, suggesting not all users face issues. The severity of complaints (e.g., fund losses, scam allegations) warrants caution.

3. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Leverage Risks: Alpari offers leverage up to 1:1000, which is highly risky, especially for inexperienced traders, as it can amplify losses. Leverage reduces to 1:25 for larger positions or certain instruments (e.g., cryptocurrencies).
• Market Risks: Forex and CFD trading inherently carry high risks, as noted in Alpari’s risk warnings. Margin calls (50–60%) and stop-outs (30%) can lead to rapid losses.
• Operational Risks: Past regulatory issues (e.g., license revocations in Russia, UK insolvency) and current offshore regulation increase operational risk.
• User-Reported Risks: Complaints about fund access and platform reliability suggest potential financial risks for traders. Risk Level: High. The combination of high leverage, offshore regulation, and significant user complaints indicates elevated risk, particularly for retail traders.

4. Website Security Tools ¶

• SSL/TLS Encryption: Alpari’s website (https://alpari.com/) uses HTTPS, indicating SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission. This is standard for financial websites.
• Privacy Policy: Alpari outlines measures to protect personal data, including secure servers, encrypted links, firewalls, and access controls. Data is shared with third-party providers (e.g., for payment processing) only with consent or legal requirements.
• Security Practices: The company claims to conduct regular checks and tests to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, or data loss.
• Potential Weaknesses: No mention of two-factor authentication (2FA) for user accounts or advanced cybersecurity certifications (e.g., ISO 27001). Lack of transparency about third-party security audits is a concern. Analysis: Alpari implements basic security measures, but the absence of advanced features like 2FA or public audit reports is a gap compared to top-tier brokers.

5. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain: alpari.com
• Registrar: Likely using a privacy protection service, as the website owner’s identity is hidden (noted in scam reports).
• Registration Date: The domain has been active since at least 2002, aligning with Al werknemers expansion.
• Location: Registered through a service that obscures personal details, which is common but can be a red flag when paired with regulatory concerns. Analysis: Hiding WHOIS data is standard for privacy but reduces transparency. Given scam allegations, this practice may heighten user distrust.

6. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Hosting Provider: Likely hosted by a reputable cloud provider (e.g., AWS, Cloudflare), as the website supports high traffic and global access. Exact details are unavailable without a direct IP lookup.
• IP Location: Servers are likely distributed globally, given Alpari’s international presence, but no specific IP data is provided in the sources.
• Performance: The website is responsive, with a mobile app and global accessibility, suggesting robust hosting infrastructure.
• Security Risks: No reported data breaches or hosting vulnerabilities, but offshore hosting (if used) could pose risks in jurisdictions with lax oversight. Analysis: The website’s performance indicates reliable hosting, but lack of specific IP/hosting data limits deeper assessment. Offshore hosting, if applicable, could align with regulatory concerns.

7. Social Media Presence ¶

• Platforms: Alpari maintains active profiles on Telegram, YouTube, and likely other platforms (e.g., Twitter/X, Facebook), offering market updates, promotions, and tutorials.
• Engagement: Claims over 500,000 app users and 2 million clients, suggesting significant online reach.
• Content: Focuses on trading education, contests, and promotional offers (e.g., Alpari Cashback).
• Red Flags: No reports of fake followers or suspicious social media activity, but aggressive marketing (e.g., high-profit promises) could mislead inexperienced traders. Analysis: Alpari’s social media presence is professional and aligns with its brand. However, promotional content should be scrutinized for unrealistic claims, as warned in their own scam guide.

8. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Regulatory History:
• Past Issues: Alpari UK was fined £140,000 in 2010 for anti-money laundering failures. Licenses were revoked in Russia (2017) and the US NFA membership was removed (2015).
• Current Status: Operates under MISA, a low-tier regulator with minimal oversight compared to FCA, ASIC, or CySEC.
• Scam Allegations: Blacklisted by India’s RBI and warned against by the UK FCA and Spain’s CNMV. Labeled a scam on Cybercriminal.com.
• Withdrawal Issues: Persistent complaints about delayed or blocked withdrawals, often requiring excessive verification.
• High Leverage: Up to 1:1000 leverage is risky and may attract inexperienced traders unaware of potential losses.
• Opaque Fees: Users report unexpected withdrawal/deposit fees and high crypto commissions.
• Brand Confusion: Alpari is linked to FXTM (ForexTime), owned by the same founder, Andrey Dashin. Some users report confusion between platforms, with funds deposited in one appearing in another.
• PAMM Account Removal: Discontinuation of PAMM accounts without clear communication upset users.
• Hidden Ownership: WHOIS privacy protection reduces transparency. Analysis: Multiple red flags, including weak regulation, scam allegations, and operational issues, suggest significant risks. The connection to FXTM and past regulatory failures further complicates trust.

9. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Content Quality: The website is professional, offering trading tools, educational resources, market analysis, and a mobile app. It emphasizes transparency in its ECN model and fee structure.
• Risk Warnings: Includes clear risk disclosures about margin trading and leverage, advising users to understand risks.
• Regulatory Claims: Highlights MISA license and Financial Commission membership, but lacks mention of top-tier regulators.
• Scam Awareness: Publishes a guide on identifying Forex scams, warning against unregulated brokers and unrealistic profit promises—ironically, some criticisms apply to Alpari itself.
• Transparency Gaps: Limited details on fee structures, third-party providers, or historical regulatory issues. Analysis: The website is well-designed and informative but downplays regulatory weaknesses. The scam guide is a positive step, but Alpari’s own practices (e.g., high leverage, offshore license) align with some warned-against traits.

10. Regulatory Status ¶

• Current Regulation:
• Mwali International Services Authority (MISA): Low-tier regulator in Comoros with minimal oversight. Lacks the stringent requirements of FCA, ASIC, or CySEC.
• Financial Commission: Member of this dispute resolution body, offering up to €20,000 in compensation for valid claims. However, this is not a regulatory authority.
• Past Regulation:
• UK (FCA): Alpari UK was regulated until 2014, when it exited after insolvency following the Swiss National Bank crisis. Fined £140,000 in 2010.
• Russia (CBR): License revoked in 2017 for regulatory violations.
• Cyprus (CySEC): License acquired in 2010, renounced in 2012.
• US (NFA): Membership approved in 2007, removed in 2015.
• Warnings:
• Blacklisted by India’s RBI.
• FCA and CNMV warnings for unauthorized operations.
• BrokerChooser Assessment: Labels Alpari as unsafe due to lack of top-tier regulation. Analysis: Alpari’s reliance on MISA, a low-tier regulator, is a major concern. Past license revocations and current warnings from reputable authorities (RBI, FCA) undermine credibility. The Financial Commission membership offers some dispute resolution, but it’s not a substitute for robust regulation.

11. User Precautions ¶

To mitigate risks when considering Alpari, users should:

• Verify Regulation: Confirm Alpari’s license with MISA directly and understand its limitations compared to FCA or ASIC.
• Test with Demo Account: Use Alpari’s free demo account to evaluate platform reliability and trading conditions before depositing funds.
• Start Small: Deposit the minimum ($1–$5) to test withdrawals and customer service.
• Avoid High Leverage: Limit leverage to manageable levels (e.g., 1:10) to reduce risk.
• Document Transactions: Keep records of deposits, withdrawals, and communications for dispute resolution.
• Research Complaints: Check platforms like WikiFX, Trustpilot, and Myfxbook for recent user experiences.
• Beware of Promotions: Scrutinize bonuses or cashback offers for hidden conditions.
• Contact Support Early: Test customer service responsiveness before trading.
• Use Secure Payment Methods: Opt for traceable methods (e.g., bank cards) over cryptocurrencies for deposits. Analysis: These precautions can help users assess Alpari’s reliability and protect funds, especially given the reported issues with withdrawals and regulation.

12. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• FXTM Connection: Alpari and FXTM (ForexTime) are both owned by Andrey Dashin, leading to user confusion. Some report deposits in FXTM appearing in Alpari accounts, suggesting interconnected systems.
• Historical Entities: Alpari’s past operations (e.g., Alpari UK, Alpari Russia) may confuse users expecting similar regulatory standards.
• Similar Branding: Other brokers or scam sites may mimic Alpari’s name or logo, exploiting its long history. Users should verify the official domain (https://alpari.com/).
• Regional Variations: Alpari’s website redirects to region-specific versions, which may differ in services or regulation, adding to confusion. Analysis: The FXTM link and historical entities create significant brand confusion. Users must ensure they interact with the correct platform and verify the Comoros-based entity.

13. Overall Assessment ¶

• Strengths:
• Long-established (since 1998) with a large user base (2 million).
• Offers industry-standard platforms (MT4, MT5) and low minimum deposits ($1–$5).
• Provides educational resources and a demo account for beginners.
• Member of the Financial Commission for dispute resolution.
• Weaknesses:
• Regulated by a low-tier authority (MISA), with past license revocations and current warnings from RBI, FCA, and CNMV.
• Significant complaints about withdrawals, customer service, and platform changes.
• High leverage (1:1000) poses risks for inexperienced traders.
• Lack of transparency in fees and WHOIS data.
• Brand confusion with FXTM and historical entities.
• Risk Indicators: Offshore regulation, scam allegations, withdrawal issues, and high leverage are major concerns.
• Recommendation: Approach with extreme caution. Alpari may suit experienced traders comfortable with offshore brokers and high risk, but retail traders should consider top-tier regulated alternatives (e.g., FCA or ASIC brokers) to minimize risks.

14. Critical Evaluation ¶

While Alpari’s longevity and platform offerings are appealing, the lack of top-tier regulation, coupled with serious complaints and regulatory warnings, significantly undermines its trustworthiness. The MISA license offers little investor protection, and past regulatory failures (e.g., Russia, UK) suggest a pattern of compliance issues. User complaints about withdrawals and platform changes align with scam characteristics outlined in Alpari’s own guide (e.g., lack of transparency, unregulated operations). The connection to FXTM and hidden WHOIS data further erode confidence. However, positive user reviews and Financial Commission membership indicate some operational legitimacy. Traders must weigh these factors against the high risks and consider safer alternatives.

15. Sources ¶

This analysis is based on the provided web results and critical evaluation of the data. Key sources include:

• Alpari’s official website (https://alpari.com/)
• Wikipedia for historical context
• WikiFX and Trustpilot for user complaints
• BrokerChooser and Cybercriminal.com for regulatory and scam warnings
• Myfxbook for user reviews
• Additional reviews from Daytrading.com, 55brokers.com, and Zion Trade Platform For further verification, users can check regulatory databases (e.g., MISA, FCA) or contact Alpari’s support (+44 2045 771951 or Telegram).

Disclaimer: Trading involves high risks, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Users should conduct their own research and consult financial advisors before engaging with Alpari or any broker.