Analyzing Berat Limited based on the requested criteria requires a careful approach, especially given the lack of website information and the possibility that it may be a shell company. Below is a comprehensive analysis addressing online complaints, risk level assessment, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting, social media, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, and potential brand confusion. Since no website is provided, I’ll rely on available data, including the referenced web result about Berat Limited, and flag areas where further investigation is needed due to potential shell company characteristics.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Complaints Found: A significant complaint reported on BrokersView highlights Berat Limited as a fraudulent forex broker. An investor detailed a failed withdrawal attempt, with the broker citing suspicious money laundering as an excuse. The investor was asked to undergo verification by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, which is highly irregular, as FATF is an intergovernmental body, not a direct verification agency for individual traders. This suggests deceptive practices to delay or prevent withdrawals.
• Pattern of Complaints: The complaint indicates a common tactic used by fraudulent brokers—making excuses to block withdrawals. No additional complaints were found in the provided data, but this single report is a strong indicator of potential fraud.
• Implication: The presence of withdrawal issues and questionable AML excuses points to a high likelihood of fraudulent behavior, a common characteristic of shell companies used to obscure illicit financial activities.

2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Risk Level: High. The complaint about withdrawal issues, lack of regulatory oversight (see below), and discrepancies in the company’s claimed history versus domain creation date are major risk indicators. Shell companies often exhibit such behaviors to facilitate fraud or money laundering.
• Shell Company Indicators: Moody’s identifies seven indicators of shell company risk, including mass registration, circular ownership, and lack of digital presence. Berat Limited’s lack of a verifiable website and questionable operational history align with these indicators, particularly the absence of a digital footprint and potential use of misleading claims (e.g., claiming to be the “best forex broker in 2013” despite a 2021 domain creation).
• Assessment: The combination of a reported scam, no regulatory license, and shell company red flags suggests Berat Limited poses a significant risk to investors.

3. Website Security Tools ¶

• Lack of Website Information: Without a provided website, website security tools like SSL certificates, vulnerability scans, or SecurityScorecard ratings cannot be directly applied.
• Implication for Shell Company: The absence of a verifiable website is itself a red flag. Legitimate brokers typically maintain a robust online presence with secure, transparent websites. A shell company may deliberately avoid a digital footprint to evade scrutiny or may use temporary, poorly secured sites to perpetrate scams.
• Recommendation: If a website is identified, tools like SecurityScorecard or Board of Cyber’s Security Rating could assess its security posture by analyzing public assets (e.g., IP addresses, domains) for open ports, DNS settings, or malware.

4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain Information: According to BrokersView, Berat Limited’s domain was created in 2021, contradicting its claim of being the “best forex broker in 2013” and holding a copyright from 2017–2024. This discrepancy suggests falsified historical claims.
• WHOIS Data: No specific WHOIS data (e.g., registrant name, address, or contact details) is provided in the references. For a suspected shell company, WHOIS data might reveal privacy-protected registrations, high-risk jurisdictions, or mass registration patterns, all of which are red flags.
• Implication: The domain age discrepancy is a critical indicator of potential fraud. Shell companies often use newly created domains to create a facade of legitimacy while hiding their true origins.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• No Data Available: Without a website or IP address, IP and hosting analysis (e.g., hosting provider, server location, or shared hosting risks) cannot be conducted.
• Shell Company Context: Shell companies may use obscure or offshore hosting providers to avoid detection. If a website is found, tools like SecurityScorecard could check for high-risk open ports or flagged IP addresses.
• Recommendation: If a site is identified, verify the hosting provider’s reputation and location. Offshore or low-cost hosting in high-risk jurisdictions (e.g., those flagged by Moody’s) could indicate shell company behavior.

6. Social Media Analysis ¶

• No Social Media Presence Identified: The provided data does not mention Berat Limited’s social media accounts. Legitimate brokers typically maintain active profiles on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram to engage clients.
• Shell Company Risk: A lack of social media presence is consistent with shell company behavior, as they often avoid platforms where transparency or user interaction could expose fraudulent activities. Alternatively, fraudulent entities may use fake social media accounts to perpetrate scams (e.g., phishing via Facebook Messenger).
• Recommendation: Search for Berat Limited on major platforms. If profiles exist, analyze them for authenticity (e.g., recent creation, low engagement, or suspicious posts). Tools like BrandShield could detect impersonating accounts or phishing scams.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Withdrawal Issues: The reported inability to withdraw funds, coupled with dubious AML excuses, is a major red flag.
• Domain Discrepancy: Claiming operations since 2013 but having a domain created in 2021 indicates deception.
• No Regulatory License: Berat Limited is headquartered in Hong Kong but lacks a license from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), rendering it unregulated and unsafe for investors.
• Shell Company Indicators: The lack of a verifiable website, questionable historical claims, and potential operation from a high-risk jurisdiction (Hong Kong, if not properly regulated) align with Moody’s shell company risk indicators, such as lack of digital presence or mass registration.
• Misleading Claims: The “best forex broker in 2013” claim is unverifiable and likely fabricated, a tactic used to lure investors.
• Implication: These red flags collectively suggest Berat Limited is likely a fraudulent entity, possibly a shell company designed to facilitate scams or money laundering.

8. Website Content Analysis ¶

• No Website Provided: Without a website, content analysis (e.g., terms of service, privacy policy, or promotional claims) is not possible.
• Reported Content: BrokersView notes that Berat Limited’s website (domain not specified) presents itself as a Chinese company offering forex trading with no regulatory documents. This lack of transparency is a red flag.
• Shell Company Context: Shell companies often use minimal or generic website content to avoid scrutiny. If a site is found, look for vague business descriptions, lack of contact details, or promises of high returns, which are common in scam sites.
• Recommendation: If a website is identified, tools like BrandShield could analyze content for phishing or impersonation risks.

9. Regulatory Status ¶

• Unregulated: Berat Limited has no SFC license in Hong Kong, meaning it operates without regulatory oversight. This leaves investors’ funds unprotected and is a critical red flag.
• Implication for Shell Company: Unregulated entities in high-risk jurisdictions are often shell companies used for illicit activities like fraud or money laundering. Legitimate brokers are typically registered with reputable regulators (e.g., FCA, SEC, or ASIC).
• Recommendation: Verify regulatory status with Hong Kong’s SFC or other global regulators. The absence of registration confirms high risk.

10. User Precautions ¶

• Avoid Engagement: Given the scam complaint, lack of regulation, and shell company red flags, users should avoid trading with Berat Limited.
• Due Diligence: Before engaging with any broker, verify its regulatory status, read user reviews on trusted platforms (e.g., BrokersView), and check domain age via WHOIS.
• Secure Transactions: Use brokers with secure, transparent websites (e.g., SSL encryption) and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unregulated entities.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If affected by Berat Limited, report to authorities like the SFC or consumer protection agencies and contact BrokersView for assistance (service@brokersview.com).
• Shell Company Awareness: Be cautious of entities with no digital footprint, offshore bases, or unverifiable claims, as these are common shell company tactics.

11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• No Evidence of Brand Confusion: The data does not indicate Berat Limited impersonating other brands or causing confusion with legitimate brokers.
• Shell Company Risk: Shell companies may use similar names to reputable firms to deceive users. Without a website or social media presence, it’s unclear if Berat Limited employs this tactic.
• Recommendation: If a website is found, tools like Recorded Future’s Brand Intelligence could detect typosquatting or impersonation attempts. Search for similar broker names to rule out confusion.

12. Shell Company Considerations ¶

• High Likelihood: Berat Limited exhibits multiple shell company characteristics:
• Lack of Digital Presence: No verifiable website or social media.
• Fraudulent Behavior: Withdrawal issues and AML excuses align with fraud, a common use of shell companies.
• Discrepant Claims: Domain created in 2021 but claiming operations since 2013.
• Unregulated Status: No SFC license, typical of shell companies in high-risk jurisdictions.
• Moody’s Indicators: The company matches several of Moody’s shell company risk indicators, including lack of digital presence, potential mass registration (if linked to other entities), and operation from a jurisdiction that could be high-risk without regulation.
• Implication: Berat Limited is likely a shell company used to perpetrate forex scams, obscure ownership, or launder money.

Conclusion ¶

Berat Limited presents significant risks based on available data. The reported scam involving withdrawal issues, lack of regulatory oversight, domain age discrepancy, and absence of a verifiable website or social media presence strongly suggest it is a fraudulent entity, likely operating as a shell company. Key red flags include its unregulated status in Hong Kong, deceptive historical claims, and tactics to delay withdrawals. Users should avoid engaging with Berat Limited, conduct thorough due diligence on any broker, and report suspicious activity to authorities. If a website or further details emerge, tools like SecurityScorecard, BrandShield, or Moody’s Shell Company Indicator can provide deeper analysis. Note: The analysis is limited by the lack of a website and sparse data. If you provide a website or additional details, I can refine the assessment. For now, treat Berat Limited with extreme caution due to its high-risk profile and shell company indicators.