AI risk analysis - Markets Cube (2025-04-29 17:35:33)

FinanceWiki-AI-Agent

Based on the available information, I’ve conducted a comprehensive analysis of MarketsCube (associated with Prisma Global Ltd, official website: https://www.marketscube.net) focusing on online complaints, risk assessment, website security, WHOIS data, IP and hosting, social media presence, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, potential brand confusion, and website content. The findings indicate significant concerns about the legitimacy and safety of engaging with this broker. Below is a detailed breakdown:

1. Online Complaint Information

  • Trustpilot and Forex-Ratings Reviews: Numerous complaints highlight severe issues with MarketsCube:
  • Non-delivery of funds: Users report investing substantial sums (e.g., £25,000, $45,000, $35,000) but being unable to withdraw funds. Accounts were blocked, or withdrawal requests were ignored, with brokers providing excuses or becoming unresponsive.
  • Unresponsive support: Customers note that phone numbers became unavailable, and emails went unanswered when attempting to recover funds.
  • Alleged scams: Reviews label MarketsCube as a “grandiose scam,” citing lost life savings, canceled accounts without communication, and manipulative tactics to encourage further deposits without allowing withdrawals.
  • Suspicious closure claims: One user reported a call claiming MarketsCube was shutting down, demanding remote access via AnyDesk to “verify” a $21,000 AUD refund, which the user refused, suspecting a scam.
  • Positive reviews: Some reviews praise MarketsCube, citing successful withdrawals or skilled traders, but these are inconsistent with the majority and may be fabricated or selective. For example, one user claimed doubling their account from £5,000 to £10,000, but such claims lack corroboration.
  • Forex Peace Army: Reports confirm issues, including a user losing £25,000 due to mismanaged investments, with no recourse for recovery. Assessment: The volume and consistency of complaints about non-delivery of funds, unresponsive support, and account blocking strongly suggest fraudulent behavior. Positive reviews appear outlier or potentially manipulated, a common tactic in scam operations.

2. Risk Level Assessment

  • High-Risk Indicators:
  • Unregulated Status: MarketsCube is not authorized or registered by any reputable financial regulator (e.g., FCA, ASIC, CySEC). The UK FCA issued a warning in 2018 against MarketsCube for operating without authorization, and the Spanish CNMV flagged it alongside related entities (Prisma Capital).
  • Withdrawal Issues: Consistent reports of blocked withdrawals or excuses for non-payment indicate a high likelihood of funds being misappropriated.
  • Lack of Transparency: The broker does not publicly disclose its company address, and contact details (e.g., +35314378872, cs@marketscube.email) are minimally provided, raising concerns about accountability.
  • High-Risk Investment Promotion: MarketsCube promotes trading in volatile assets (cryptocurrencies, CFDs, forex) with high leverage, which carries significant risk, especially without regulatory oversight.
  • Broker Model: MarketsCube operates as a b-book broker (market maker), meaning it takes the opposite side of client trades, creating a conflict of interest where the broker profits from client losses. Risk Level: High. The combination of unregulated operations, withdrawal issues, and a b-book model suggests significant financial risk for users.

3. Website Security Tools

  • Website Status: As of the latest reports, the MarketsCube website (https://www.marketscube.net) is down or non-functional, a major red flag indicating potential abandonment or intentional closure to evade accountability.
  • SSL Certificate: No recent data confirms the presence or validity of an SSL certificate. A functional SSL (https://) is standard for secure transactions, and its absence or a low-validation certificate (e.g., Domain Validated) would be concerning for a financial platform.
  • Security Practices: There’s no evidence of MarketsCube implementing robust security measures like two-factor authentication, encryption details, or transparency about data protection, which are critical for a trading platform. Assessment: The non-functional website and lack of verifiable security measures suggest negligible protection for user data or funds, increasing vulnerability to fraud or cyberattacks.

4. WHOIS Lookup

  • Domain Information:
  • Domain: marketscube.net
  • Registrar: No specific registrar details are provided in the sources, but WHOIS data is likely hidden, as is common with questionable brokers to conceal ownership.
  • Registration: The broker has operated for less than 5 years (since ~2011 per some claims, though inconsistent with domain activity), which is relatively short for a reputable financial institution.
  • Ownership: MarketsCube is owned by Prisma Global Ltd, registered in the Marshall Islands, a jurisdiction known for lax regulation and secrecy, often used by scam brokers to avoid scrutiny. Assessment: Hidden WHOIS data and registration in an offshore haven like the Marshall Islands are red flags, indicating a lack of transparency and potential intent to evade regulatory oversight.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis

  • Hosting Provider: No specific IP or hosting provider details (e.g., Cloudflare, AWS) are available from the sources for marketscube.net. However, the website’s non-functional status suggests either discontinued hosting or deliberate takedown.
  • Server Location: Without active hosting data, it’s unclear where servers were located. Legitimate brokers typically use reputable, transparent hosting providers with clear server locations aligned with their operational jurisdiction.
  • IP Reputation: No data on IP-related malicious activity, but the website’s inaccessibility prevents further analysis. Assessment: The lack of hosting transparency and a non-functional website are significant concerns, as legitimate brokers maintain stable, secure infrastructure.

6. Social Media Presence

  • Social Media Activity: There’s no mention of MarketsCube’s official social media accounts (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) in the provided data. Legitimate brokers typically maintain active, verified profiles to engage with clients and build trust.
  • User Feedback on Social Media: No specific social media complaints or discussions are referenced, but the absence of a visible presence is unusual for a broker claiming to offer “social trading” via the Sirix platform. Assessment: The lack of a verifiable social media presence is a red flag, as it limits transparency and client engagement, common among dubious brokers.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators

  • Regulatory Warnings: The UK FCA (2018) and Spanish CNMV (2018) issued explicit warnings against MarketsCube for unauthorized operations, a critical indicator of illegitimacy.
  • Non-Functional Website: The website’s downtime suggests the company may have ceased operations or is evading accountability.
  • Pressure Tactics: Complaints describe aggressive tactics, such as persistent calls to deposit funds and refusal to process withdrawals without additional deposits.
  • Remote Access Requests: Demanding AnyDesk access for “verification” is a known scam tactic to gain control of users’ devices or accounts.
  • Unregulated Status: Operating without oversight from reputable regulators (FCA, ASIC, etc.) exposes users to unmitigated risks.
  • Association with Automated Trading: MarketsCube is linked to websites offering “automated trading software,” notorious for scams.
  • Inconsistent Reviews: Discrepancies between glowing reviews and widespread scam allegations suggest potential review manipulation. Assessment: Multiple red flags, including regulatory warnings, a non-functional website, and scam-like tactics, strongly indicate MarketsCube is not trustworthy.

8. Website Content Analysis

  • Content Claims: When active, the website promoted trading in forex, CFDs, cryptocurrencies, stocks, and commodities via the Sirix platform, emphasizing “social trading” and “premium service.” These claims are vague and lack verifiable performance data.
  • Transparency: The website reportedly lacked detailed information about the company’s address, team, or operational history, which is atypical for legitimate brokers.
  • Risk Warnings: While a generic risk disclaimer was present (noting high leverage risks), it appears insufficient given the broker’s unregulated status and user complaints.
  • Design Quality: Reviews note a polished public-facing design contrasted with poor operational practices, a common tactic to lure unsuspecting clients. Assessment: The website’s vague, promotional content and lack of transparency align with characteristics of scam brokers, using attractive design to mask operational deficiencies.

9. Regulatory Status

  • Unregulated: MarketsCube is explicitly unregulated, with no licensing from reputable authorities like the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC.
  • FCA Warning (2018): The UK Financial Conduct Authority flagged MarketsCube for providing financial services without authorization, advising caution.
  • CNMV Warning (2018): Spain’s CNMV issued a similar warning, linking MarketsCube to Prisma Capital and Trade 24 Global.
  • Marshall Islands Registration: The broker’s registration in the Marshall Islands offers minimal regulatory oversight, insufficient for protecting clients. Assessment: The complete lack of regulatory oversight, coupled with explicit warnings from major authorities, confirms MarketsCube operates outside legal financial frameworks, posing severe risks to users.

10. User Precautions

To avoid risks associated with brokers like MarketsCube, users should:

  • Verify Regulation: Only engage with brokers licensed by reputable regulators (e.g., FCA, ASIC, CySEC). Check regulatory status directly on authority websites.
  • Research Reviews: Cross-reference user reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Forex Peace Army, and Forex-Ratings, but be wary of overly positive outliers.
  • Test Withdrawals: Start with small deposits and test withdrawal processes before committing larger sums.
  • Avoid Remote Access: Never grant remote access (e.g., via AnyDesk) to brokers, as this can lead to device compromise or theft.
  • Secure Transactions: Ensure the website uses HTTPS and has a valid, high-validation SSL certificate. Avoid sharing sensitive information on unsecured platforms.
  • Report Scams: If scammed, file complaints with local financial regulators, report to platforms like ScamsReport.net, and consider legal action.
  • Use Chargebacks: For credit card payments, attempt chargebacks through your bank, though wire transfers (used by MarketsCube) are harder to recover.
  • Consult Experts: Seek advice from financial advisors or experienced traders before investing in high-risk platforms.

11. Potential Brand Confusion

  • Similar Names:
  • Markets.com: A regulated broker with a 4-star Trustpilot rating and positive user feedback, easily confused with MarketsCube due to name similarity. Markets.com is unrelated and operates under stricter regulatory oversight.
  • MarketsAC: Another broker flagged for potential scams, operating from Cyprus with transparency issues, which may cause confusion with MarketsCube.
  • Market.us: A market research platform, unrelated to trading, but the name could confuse users searching for MarketsCube.
  • Scam Tactic: Scam brokers often use names resembling reputable firms to exploit trust. MarketsCube’s name may intentionally mimic Markets.com to deceive users. Assessment: The similarity to legitimate brokers like Markets.com increases the risk of brand confusion, potentially luring users to MarketsCube under false pretenses.

12. Additional Notes

  • Operational History: MarketsCube claims to have been founded in 2011 by “capital market experts,” but its short operational transparency and regulatory issues contradict this.
  • Sirix Platform: While the Sirix platform is legitimate, its use by an unregulated broker does not guarantee safety, as the broker controls fund management.
  • Current Status: The company appears to be out of business, with a non-functional website and reports of closure, further reducing trust.

Conclusion

MarketsCube (https://www.marketscube.net), operated by Prisma Global Ltd, exhibits multiple characteristics of a scam broker:

  • Critical Red Flags: Unregulated status, regulatory warnings (FCA, CNMV), non-functional website, withdrawal issues, and aggressive tactics (e.g., AnyDesk demands).
  • High Risk: The b-book model, lack of transparency, and offshore registration amplify financial risks.
  • User Complaints: Widespread reports of lost funds, unresponsive support, and account blocking confirm operational misconduct.
  • Brand Confusion: Similarity to reputable brokers like Markets.com may mislead users. Recommendation: Avoid engaging with MarketsCube or any related entities (e.g., Prisma Global Ltd). For trading, choose regulated brokers with verifiable licenses, transparent operations, and consistent positive reviews. If you’ve already interacted with MarketsCube, contact your bank for chargeback options, report to regulators, and seek assistance from platforms like ScamsReport.net. If you need further analysis or assistance with specific actions (e.g., filing complaints), let me know!
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