Below is a comprehensive analysis of BROOKS INVEST LTD, based on the provided official website (https://brooksinvest.ltd/) and the requested criteria, including online complaint information, risk level assessment, website security tools, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting analysis, social media presence, red flags, potential risk indicators, website content analysis, regulatory status, user precautions, and potential brand confusion. The analysis draws on available information, critically evaluates the data, and avoids speculative conclusions.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Sources of Complaints: Multiple online sources, including review platforms and scam watchdog sites, report significant complaints about BROOKS INVEST LTD:
• ScamWatcher.org (2021): Describes BROOKS INVEST LTD as an unsafe platform due to lack of transparency and regulatory oversight. Users report difficulties withdrawing funds, aggressive tactics to encourage additional deposits, and high withdrawal fees.
• ForexBrokerz.com (2021): Labels BROOKS INVEST LTD as an outright scam, citing its lack of regulation and blacklisting by the Spanish CNMV (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores).
• TheForexReview.com (2021): Confirms BROOKS INVEST LTD as a scam, blacklisted by European regulators, with complaints about non-delivery of promised services and loss of deposited funds.
• Trustpilot (2022): Limited reviews (six contributors) are available, but the platform does not provide detailed insights into user experiences. The low number of reviews raises concerns about the broker’s visibility and credibility.
• Nature of Complaints:
• Funds not secure, with reports of inability to withdraw money.
• Promises of high returns (e.g., 8% daily interest) that are unrealistic and indicative of Ponzi-like schemes.
• Use of anonymous cryptocurrency payments (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum) to evade chargebacks, increasing user risk.
• Lack of transparency about the company’s leadership, ownership, or operational details. Assessment: The volume and consistency of complaints across multiple platforms strongly suggest that BROOKS INVEST LTD is unreliable and potentially fraudulent. The inability to withdraw funds and aggressive sales tactics are common characteristics of scam brokers.

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2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• High-Risk Indicators:
• Unregulated Status: BROOKS INVEST LTD claims to be licensed by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) but lacks verifiable evidence in VFSC or UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) registries. The Spanish CNMV has explicitly blacklisted the firm for unauthorized investment services.
• Anonymous Operations: No verifiable information about the CEO, management team, or physical office location. This opacity is a significant risk factor for financial platforms handling client funds.
• Crypto-Only Payments: Accepting only cryptocurrency deposits (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Perfect Money) is a red flag, as these transactions are irreversible and anonymous, making it difficult for users to recover funds.
• Unrealistic Promises: Claims of guaranteed daily returns (e.g., 8% daily for the basic plan) are unsustainable and defy market realities, indicating a potential Ponzi scheme.
• Blacklisting: The CNMV’s warning and inclusion on European regulator alert lists elevate the risk profile.
• Scamadviser Trust Score: Scamadviser rates brooksinvest.ltd with a very low trust score, citing its use of a shared server for data-sensitive services, recent blacklisting by DNSFilter, and hidden WHOIS data.
• User Experience: Reports of aggressive sales tactics, refusal to process withdrawals, and lack of customer support responsiveness further increase the risk level. Assessment: BROOKS INVEST LTD exhibits multiple high-risk characteristics, including lack of regulation, anonymous operations, and blacklisting by authorities. The risk level is very high, and engagement with this broker is strongly discouraged.

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3. Website Security Tools ¶

• SSL Certificate: The website uses an SSL certificate, which encrypts data between the user’s browser and the server. However, the certificate is likely a basic Domain Validated (DV) type, which does not verify the organization’s legitimacy and is commonly used by fraudulent sites.
• Malware and Phishing Checks:
• Scamvoid.net: No specific malware or phishing threats are reported for brooksinvest.ltd, but the site’s overall legitimacy is questioned due to its low trust score and scam-related complaints.
• DNSFilter: The website was flagged as a threat in the last 30 days, indicating potential security risks.
• Shared Hosting Risks: The website operates on a shared server, which poses security risks. A compromised site on the same server could serve as an entry point for attackers to access other sites, including brooksinvest.ltd.
• Login Credential Security: The website’s lack of transparency about its security practices (e.g., two-factor authentication, data encryption beyond SSL) raises concerns about the safety of user data. Assessment: While the presence of an SSL certificate provides basic encryption, the use of a shared server, recent threat flagging, and lack of advanced security measures suggest inadequate protection for user data. This aligns with the site’s high-risk profile.

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4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain Information:
• Domain Name: brooksinvest.ltd
• Registration Date: Registered several years ago (exact date not specified in sources but noted as “several years” by Scamadviser). Older domains can sometimes be repurposed by scammers, so age alone does not confirm legitimacy.
• Registrar: Not explicitly mentioned in provided sources, but WHOIS data is hidden, which is a common tactic used by fraudulent websites to conceal ownership.
• Owner: The identity of the website owner is hidden, which is a significant red flag for a financial services platform. Legitimate brokers typically provide transparent ownership details.
• Contact Information: The website lists a phone number (+48699518939) and email (admin@brooksinvest.ltd), but these are insufficient to verify legitimacy. The use of a generic email address rather than a domain-specific one (e.g., @brooksinvest.ltd) is concerning. Assessment: The hidden WHOIS data and lack of verifiable ownership information are strong indicators of potential fraud. Legitimate financial platforms typically provide clear ownership and contact details.

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5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Hosting Provider: The website is hosted on a shared server, but the specific hosting provider is not detailed in the provided sources. Shared hosting is cost-effective but risky for data-sensitive services like financial platforms, as a single compromised site on the server could affect others.
• Server Location: The server location is not specified in the sources, but Scamadviser notes that hosting in a high-risk country (per the International Banking Federation) could be a concern. Without specific data, this cannot be confirmed.
• IP Geolocation: IP geolocation data, powered by tools like MaxMind GeoLite DB, is not provided in the sources, limiting the ability to assess the server’s physical location.
• Security Risks: The use of a shared server increases the risk of cross-site attacks, especially for a platform handling sensitive financial data. Assessment: The lack of specific hosting details and the use of a shared server are concerning for a financial platform. This setup is inconsistent with the security standards expected of legitimate brokers.

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6. Social Media Presence ¶

• Social Media Links: The sources do not mention specific social media profiles for BROOKS INVEST LTD. Legitimate brokers typically maintain active, verified social media accounts (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn) to engage with clients and build trust. The absence of such accounts is a red flag.
• User Feedback on Social Media: No evidence of social media activity or user feedback on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram is provided. This lack of presence suggests limited transparency and engagement.
• Potential Misuse: Fraudulent brokers often create fake social media accounts to promote scams. While no such accounts are confirmed for BROOKS INVEST LTD, the lack of verifiable profiles is concerning. Assessment: The apparent absence of a social media presence is unusual for a legitimate broker and aligns with the platform’s overall lack of transparency. This increases the likelihood of fraudulent operations.

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7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Regulatory Non-Compliance: Claims of VFSC licensing are unverified, and the broker is blacklisted by the CNMV. Lack of FCA or other reputable regulatory oversight is a major red flag.
• Anonymous Operations: No verifiable information about the company’s leadership, office location, or legal entity.
• Crypto-Only Payments: Accepting only irreversible cryptocurrency payments is a common tactic among scam brokers to avoid chargebacks.
• Unrealistic Returns: Promises of 8% daily returns are unsustainable and indicative of a Ponzi scheme.
• Hidden WHOIS Data: Concealed ownership details reduce accountability.
• Shared Hosting: Increases security risks for user data.
• Blacklisting: CNMV and DNSFilter warnings confirm regulatory and security concerns.
• Aggressive Sales Tactics: Reports of pushy behavior to encourage deposits and discourage withdrawals.
• Low Trust Scores: Scamadviser and other review platforms assign very low trust scores. Assessment: The presence of multiple red flags, including regulatory non-compliance, anonymous operations, and unrealistic promises, strongly suggests that BROOKS INVEST LTD is a scam.

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8. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Claims and Offerings:
• The website presents BROOKS INVEST LTD as a forex and cryptocurrency trading broker, offering platforms like MetaTrader (MT4/MT5). However, sources note that no trading platform is accessible, casting doubt on these claims.
• Promises of high daily returns (e.g., 8% for the basic plan) are prominently featured, which is unrealistic for legitimate financial markets.
• The minimum deposit is $50, which is low and designed to attract inexperienced traders.
• Transparency: The website lacks detailed information about trading conditions (e.g., leverage, spreads), company leadership, or regulatory certifications. This opacity is inconsistent with legitimate brokers.
• Design and Professionalism: The sources do not describe the website’s design, but the use of a shared server and generic email contact suggests a lack of investment in professional infrastructure.
• Misleading Claims: The claim of VFSC licensing is unverified, and the absence of FCA registration contradicts UK legal requirements for financial services providers. Assessment: The website’s content is designed to lure users with promises of high returns and low entry barriers but lacks transparency and verifiable details. This aligns with the characteristics of a scam website.

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9. Regulatory Status ¶

• Claimed Regulation: BROOKS INVEST LTD claims to be licensed by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC). However, no matching records are found in VFSC’s registry.
• UK FCA Status: As a UK-based company (per its claims), BROOKS INVEST LTD must be authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). No records exist in the FCA registry for BROOKS INVEST LTD or its claimed entity.
• CNMV Blacklisting: The Spanish CNMV has issued a warning that BROOKS INVEST LTD is not authorized to provide investment services in Spain, confirming its unregulated status.
• Other Regulators: No evidence of oversight by other major regulators (e.g., NFA in the US, IIROC in Canada, CySEC in Cyprus) is found, despite claims of operating in the US and Canada.
• Deposit Insurance: Unlike regulated EU or UK brokers, which offer deposit insurance (e.g., up to €20,000 for CySEC brokers or £85,000 for FCA brokers), BROOKS INVEST LTD provides no such protections. Assessment: BROOKS INVEST LTD is unregulated and blacklisted by at least one major financial authority (CNMV). Its claimed VFSC license is unverifiable, and it lacks oversight from any reputable regulator. This confirms its high-risk status.

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10. User Precautions ¶

To protect against potential risks associated with BROOKS INVEST LTD, users should:

• Avoid Engagement: Do not deposit funds or provide personal information, given the broker’s scam status and blacklisting.
• Use Regulated Brokers: Choose brokers regulated by reputable authorities (e.g., FCA, CySEC, ASIC) with transparent operations and deposit insurance.
• Verify Licensing: Independently verify any claimed licenses through official regulatory registries (e.g., VFSC, FCA).
• Prefer Secure Payments: Avoid cryptocurrency payments for financial services. Use credit cards (VISA, MasterCard) for chargeback protection within 540 days.
• Report Scams: If scammed, report to authorities like the FCA (https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam-us), Action Fraud (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/), or the FBI’s IC3 (http://www.ic3.gov/). Contact your bank to deactivate cards and seek chargeback options.
• Beware Secondary Scams: Avoid fraudulent recovery agencies that demand upfront payments to recover lost funds.
• Check Reviews: Consult trusted review platforms (e.g., Trustpilot, ForexBrokerz) before engaging with any broker.
• Secure Devices: Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and install antivirus software to protect against phishing or malware. Assessment: Users must exercise extreme caution and avoid BROOKS INVEST LTD entirely. Following these precautions can mitigate risks when selecting alternative brokers.

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11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Similar Entities:
• Brooks International (brooksint.com): A legitimate global professional services firm specializing in organizational execution for Private Equity and Fortune-500 clients. It has no apparent connection to financial trading or BROOKS INVEST LTD.
• Brooks Capital (brookscap.com): A real estate investment firm operating in the UK and USA, unrelated to forex or crypto trading.
• Brooks Financial Group, Inc. (brooksfinancial.com): A US-based investment advisory firm offering portfolio management services. It is distinct from BROOKS INVEST LTD and focuses on regulated financial planning.
• Brookfield (brookfield.com): A global leader in alternative asset management that has issued warnings about fraudsters misusing its brand for investment scams. While not directly linked to BROOKS INVEST LTD, the similar naming could cause confusion.
• Brooks & Partners (brooksandpartnersfirm.com): A fake law firm flagged by the UK Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for operating a scam website. The “Brooks” naming similarity suggests potential brand exploitation.
• Risk of Confusion:
• The name “Brooks” is common across various legitimate businesses, increasing the likelihood that BROOKS INVEST LTD is leveraging this to appear credible.
• Investors unfamiliar with the distinctions may mistakenly trust BROOKS INVEST LTD, assuming it is affiliated with reputable firms like Brooks International or Brookfield.
• The lack of a verifiable legal entity or physical address for BROOKS INVEST LTD exacerbates the risk of misidentification. Assessment: BROOKS INVEST LTD likely exploits the common “Brooks” name to create confusion with legitimate entities. Users must verify the exact company and website (brooksinvest.ltd) to avoid mistaking it for regulated firms.

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12. Conclusion ¶

Based on the comprehensive analysis:

• BROOKS INVEST LTD is an unregulated, high-risk broker with strong indicators of being a scam. Key evidence includes:
• Blacklisting by the Spanish CNMV and lack of verifiable licensing (VFSC, FCA).
• Consistent user complaints about fund withdrawal issues, aggressive sales tactics, and unmet promises.
• Anonymous operations, hidden WHOIS data, and crypto-only payments.
• Unrealistic return promises and lack of transparency about trading conditions.
• Use of a shared server and inadequate security measures.
• Recommendation: Avoid engaging with BROOKS INVEST LTD entirely. Opt for regulated brokers with transparent operations, verifiable licensing, and deposit insurance (e.g., FCA, CySEC, ASIC-regulated firms).
• User Actions: If you have interacted with BROOKS INVEST LTD, report to relevant authorities (FCA, CNMV, IC3), contact your bank for chargeback options, and share your experience on review platforms to warn others.
• Brand Confusion: Be cautious of the “Brooks” name, which may be used to mimic legitimate firms like Brooks International or Brookfield. Always verify the website URL and regulatory status. This analysis is based on available data as of April 24, 2025, and prioritizes user safety by critically evaluating the broker’s claims against independent sources. For further assistance or to report a scam, contact the relevant authorities listed above.