Below is a comprehensive analysis of Velod (official website: https://velod.ai/) based on the requested criteria, including online complaint information, risk level assessment, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting analysis, social media presence, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, potential brand confusion, and website content analysis. The information is synthesized from available data, critically evaluated, and presented concisely to address the query.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Complaints and User Reviews:
• Multiple sources report significant user complaints about Velod.ai, primarily labeling it as a scam. Common issues include:
• Inability to Withdraw Funds: Users report that once funds are deposited, withdrawals are blocked, with demands for additional “deposit fees” or “taxes” to release funds, a classic scam tactic.
• Loss of Investments: Several users claim substantial financial losses, with some reporting losses of $10,000 or more due to intentional trading errors or frozen accounts.
• Fake Trading Platform: Reviews suggest Velod.ai displays fake balances and does not execute real trades, with funds allegedly sent directly to scammers’ wallets.
• Specific user experiences include:
• Accounts being frozen with claims of U.S. Treasury Department intervention, requiring refundable deposits to unlock funds, which never materialize.
• Poor platform performance, such as wide spreads, order execution issues during volatility, and glitches, making trading unprofitable.
• ScamAdviser and Scam Detector note low trust scores (2.8/100 and 60% respectively), citing phishing risks, suspicious tags, and a high likelihood of fraudulent activity.
• Some reviews speculate that Velod.ai may be operated by Chinese scammers using translation tools, with user data potentially exposed on the dark web.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The volume and consistency of complaints across platforms (ScamAdviser, Scam Detector, Traders Union, Forex Peace Army) strongly indicate fraudulent behavior. The absence of positive user reviews or verifiable success stories further supports this conclusion.
• However, some complaints lack detailed evidence (e.g., screenshots or transaction records), which could weaken their credibility. Still, the pattern of reported issues aligns with known cryptocurrency scam tactics.

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2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Risk Level: High
• Factors Contributing to High Risk:
• Low Trust Scores: Algorithmic assessments by ScamAdviser (60%) and Scam Detector (2.8/100) indicate a high likelihood of scam activity based on 40+ data points, including company location, hosting, and third-party reviews.
• Proximity to Suspicious Websites: Velod.ai has a high “Proximity to Suspicious Websites” score, suggesting connections to dubious platforms, increasing phishing and fraud risks.
• User Financial Losses: Reports of significant monetary losses and inability to withdraw funds are major red flags.
• Lack of Transparency: Limited information about the company’s physical location, team, or operational history raises concerns about accountability.
• Blacklisting: Traders Union notes that Velod is blacklisted, indicating structural or critical issues, potentially financial or technical, making it unreliable for users.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The combination of low trust scores, user-reported losses, and blacklisting suggests Velod.ai poses a significant risk to investors. The lack of verifiable positive feedback or regulatory oversight exacerbates this assessment.
• However, blacklisting could sometimes reflect temporary issues rather than outright fraud. Without access to recent updates, the current status remains high-risk.

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3. Website Security Tools and Analysis ¶

• Website Security Overview:
• SSL/TLS Certificate: The website (https://velod.ai/) uses HTTPS, indicating an SSL/TLS certificate, which encrypts data between the user and the server. This is a basic security measure but does not guarantee legitimacy, as many scam sites also use SSL.
• Security Headers: No specific information is available on HTTP security headers (e.g., Content-Security-Policy, X-Frame-Options) or additional protections like HSTS. This limits the ability to assess advanced security measures.
• Vulnerability Scans: No public reports confirm whether Velod.ai has undergone vulnerability scans or penetration testing. Scam sites often lack robust security, increasing risks of data breaches.
• Phishing Risks: Scam Detector highlights a high risk of phishing, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in user data protection.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The presence of HTTPS is standard but insufficient to deem the site secure, especially given scam allegations. The lack of transparency about additional security measures (e.g., two-factor authentication, data encryption beyond SSL) is concerning.
• Phishing risks align with user reports of data exposure on the dark web, indicating potential weaknesses in user data handling.

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4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• WHOIS Data:
• Domain: velod.ai
• Registration Date: First analyzed on August 11, 2023, suggesting a relatively new domain (less than 2 years old as of April 2025). New domains are often associated with higher scam risks.
• Registrar: No specific registrar details are provided in the sources, which is unusual. Legitimate platforms typically have transparent WHOIS records unless protected by privacy services.
• Registrant Information: Likely hidden by a WHOIS privacy service, as no company or individual details are mentioned. This lack of transparency is a red flag, as legitimate brokers often disclose their corporate identity.
• Location: The company’s physical location is not disclosed, further reducing trust. Some reviews speculate a Chinese origin, but this is unverified.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The new domain age and hidden WHOIS data are significant risk indicators, as scam sites often use privacy services to obscure ownership. The absence of a verifiable company address or contact details undermines credibility.
• However, some legitimate startups also use privacy services, so this alone is not conclusive evidence of a scam. Combined with other red flags, it strengthens the case for caution.

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5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Hosting Information:
• Hosting Provider: No specific hosting provider is mentioned in the sources. ScamAdviser notes the hosting party as a factor in its low trust score, suggesting it may be a low-cost or offshore provider commonly used by scam sites.
• IP Address: No IP address details are provided, limiting analysis of geolocation or server reputation.
• Server Location: Unknown, but the lack of transparency about server infrastructure is concerning, as legitimate brokers typically use reputable, secure hosting services.
• Shared Hosting Risks: If Velod.ai uses shared hosting (common for low-cost sites), it could be vulnerable to attacks or associated with other suspicious domains on the same server.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The absence of hosting and IP details prevents a thorough assessment, but the low trust score and scam allegations suggest the use of substandard or anonymous hosting. This aligns with the pattern of scam sites prioritizing cost over security.
• Legitimate brokers typically use well-known providers (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) with clear server locations. The lack of such information is a red flag.

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6. Social Media Presence ¶

• Social Media Analysis:
• Presence: No specific social media accounts (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook) for Velod.ai are mentioned in the sources. This is unusual for a legitimate broker, as most maintain active social media profiles for marketing and customer engagement.
• User Acquisition: Reviews note that Velod.ai lures users through unsolicited social media contacts, a common tactic for scams. This suggests predatory marketing rather than legitimate outreach.
• Engagement: The absence of verifiable social media profiles limits the ability to assess user sentiment or company activity. Scam sites often avoid official social media to evade scrutiny or negative reviews.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The lack of a visible social media presence is a significant red flag, as legitimate brokers use platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter to build trust and transparency. Unsolicited social media outreach aligns with scam tactics, targeting vulnerable users.
• Without access to current social media data, it’s possible Velod.ai has profiles under different names, but the lack of mention in reviews suggests minimal or hidden activity.

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7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Key Red Flags:
• Unrealistic Promises: Velod.ai claims to offer high returns using AI and deep learning, a common tactic to lure investors. Such promises are often unrealistic and indicative of scams.
• Withdrawal Issues: Demands for additional fees (e.g., taxes, commissions) to withdraw funds are a hallmark of investment scams.
• Lack of Transparency: No verifiable information about the company’s team, location, or regulatory status raises serious concerns.
• Multiple Domain Variants: Reports mention Velod.ai operating under names like Velodeid or Velodsib.com, suggesting potential brand confusion or rebranding to evade detection.
• Blacklisting: The platform’s blacklisting by Traders Union indicates critical issues, potentially financial or fraudulent.
• New Domain: The domain’s recent creation (2023) increases scam likelihood, as legitimate brokers typically have longer-established domains.
• User Data Exposure: Allegations of data being exposed on the dark web suggest poor security practices.
• Potential Risk Indicators:
• Phishing and Spam: High phishing risk scores indicate potential for malicious links or data theft.
• Fake Balances: Claims that the platform shows fake trading balances to deceive users.
• Translation Issues: Speculation about Chinese operators using translation tools suggests unprofessional operations.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The red flags are numerous and consistent across sources, strongly indicating fraudulent intent. The use of multiple domain names and blacklisting are particularly damning, as they suggest deliberate efforts to evade accountability.
• While some indicators (e.g., new domain) could apply to legitimate startups, the cumulative evidence—especially withdrawal issues and fake trading—points to a scam.

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8. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Website Claims:
• Velod.ai presents itself as a “global trading platform” using AI, deep learning, and natural language processing (NLP) to offer sophisticated trading plans and high returns.
• It claims to support cross-asset trading (cryptocurrencies, tokens, commodities) and offers a user-friendly interface with multi-application login.
• The platform emphasizes its AI-driven technology as a revolutionary tool for predicting crypto price movements.
• Content Red Flags:
• Overhyped Claims: Promises of high returns through AI are vague and lack evidence of performance metrics or audited results, a common scam tactic.
• Lack of Specifics: The website does not provide detailed information about the company’s team, physical address, or regulatory licenses, which legitimate brokers typically disclose.
• Generic Language: Terms like “revolutionary” and “leading technology” are overused in scam sites to create a false sense of credibility.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The website’s focus on AI and high returns without verifiable proof or transparency is a major concern. Legitimate brokers provide audited performance data, regulatory details, and clear terms of service.
• The cross-asset trading and user-friendly interface claims are plausible but lack corroboration from user experiences, which overwhelmingly report platform issues.

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9. Regulatory Status ¶

• Regulatory Oversight:
• No Authorization: Velod.ai is not mentioned as being authorized by any reputable financial regulator, such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), or equivalent bodies. Wealth Recovery Solicitors explicitly notes that Velod.ai is not FCA-authorized.
• Blacklisting: Traders Union’s blacklisting suggests regulatory or operational issues, potentially due to non-compliance or fraud.
• Lack of Compliance: No evidence indicates compliance with financial regulations like GDPR, AML (Anti-Money Laundering), or KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements, which are mandatory for legitimate brokers.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The absence of regulatory authorization is a critical red flag, as legitimate brokers must be licensed to operate legally. The blacklisting further suggests that Velod.ai fails to meet basic regulatory standards.
• Some scam platforms operate in unregulated jurisdictions to avoid oversight, which aligns with Velod.ai’s lack of transparency about its location.

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10. User Precautions ¶

• Recommended Precautions:
• Avoid Investment: Given the high risk and scam allegations, users should avoid depositing funds with Velod.ai until credible evidence of legitimacy emerges.
• Research Thoroughly: Check for regulatory authorization (e.g., FCA, SEC) and independent reviews before engaging with any broker. Use platforms like ScamAdviser or Forex Peace Army for user feedback.
• Verify Withdrawals: Test the platform with a small deposit and attempt a withdrawal before committing significant funds. Be wary of demands for additional fees.
• Secure Data: Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication (if available), and avoid sharing sensitive personal or financial information.
• Report Issues: If funds are lost, document all communications and report to regulators (e.g., FCA, SEC) or law enforcement. Consider chargeback options through banks or legal assistance from firms like Wealth Recovery Solicitors.
• Beware of Unsolicited Offers: Avoid engaging with platforms contacted via unsolicited social media messages, as these are often scam tactics.
• Critical Evaluation:
• These precautions are standard for protecting against online scams but are particularly urgent for Velod.ai due to its high-risk profile. Users should prioritize platforms with proven regulatory compliance and transparent operations.

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11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Similar Platforms:
• Velod Variants: Reports mention Velod.ai operating under names like Velodeid or Velodsib.com, which could confuse users or indicate rebranding to evade detection.
• Other AI Platforms:
• Vella AI (vellaai.co): Focuses on sales process optimization, unrelated to crypto trading.
• VEIL.AI (veil.ai): Specializes in health data anonymization, compliant with GDPR and HIPAA, with no trading focus.
• Valido AI (valido.ai): Offers UX audit and test automation for e-commerce, not finance-related.
• Valital (valital.com): Provides AI-powered adverse media analysis for risk assessment, unrelated to crypto trading.
• Vellum AI (vellum.ai): Tools for AI product development, not a trading platform.
• Velvet AI (velvetfs.com): AI tools for VC fund management, distinct from crypto trading.
• Velda AI (velda.ai): Offers persuasive writing services, unrelated to finance.
• Risk of Confusion: The similar domain names (e.g., veil.ai, valido.ai, velda.ai) and AI-focused branding could lead users to mistake Velod.ai for a legitimate platform, especially given its claims of AI-driven trading.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The use of multiple domain variants (Velodeid, Velodsib.com) suggests intentional brand confusion to obscure scam activities. The similarity to other AI platforms could exploit user trust in AI technology, a growing trend in scams.
• Legitimate platforms like VEIL.AI or Valital have clear, unrelated purposes and regulatory compliance, distinguishing them from Velod.ai’s dubious operations.

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12. Recent Results and Updates ¶

• Recent Data (as of April 2025):
• Last Analyzed: ScamAdviser updated its review on October 20, 2024, maintaining a low trust score.
• Traders Union Review: Published January 6, 2025, confirming Velod’s blacklisting and scam status.
• Wealth Recovery Solicitors: Blog post from March 29, 2024, details the scam and offers legal support for victims.
• No Positive Developments: No recent evidence suggests Velod.ai has addressed complaints, gained regulatory approval, or improved its reputation.
• Critical Evaluation:
• The lack of positive updates or rebuttals from Velod.ai reinforces the scam narrative. The consistent negative reviews and blacklisting indicate ongoing issues without resolution.
• If Velod.ai were legitimate, it would likely respond to criticism with transparency (e.g., regulatory licenses, audited financials), which is absent.

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Summary and Conclusion ¶

• Overall Assessment: Velod.ai (https://velod.ai/) exhibits numerous characteristics of a cryptocurrency scam, with a high risk level based on:
• Widespread user complaints about financial losses and withdrawal issues.
• Low trust scores from ScamAdviser (60%) and Scam Detector (2.8/100).
• Lack of regulatory authorization and blacklisting by Traders Union.
• New domain, hidden WHOIS data, and lack of transparency about company details.
• Predatory tactics like unsolicited social media outreach and demands for withdrawal fees.
• Potential brand confusion with legitimate AI platforms.
• Website Security: Basic HTTPS is present, but phishing risks and alleged data exposure on the dark web suggest inadequate protection.
• Social Media: Minimal or no verifiable presence, with reports of unsolicited outreach indicating scam tactics.
• User Precautions: Avoid engagement, verify regulatory status, test withdrawals with small amounts, and report issues to regulators or legal experts.
• Brand Confusion: Similarity to legitimate AI platforms (e.g., VEIL.AI, Valital) and use of variant domains (Velodeid, Velodsib.com) increase deception risks.
• Recommendation: Do not invest with Velod.ai. Seek regulated brokers with transparent operations and positive, verifiable user feedback. If you’ve been affected, contact regulators or legal firms like Wealth Recovery Solicitors for assistance.

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Notes ¶

• Limitations: The analysis relies on available sources, which may not capture recent changes (post-October 2024). Direct access to Velod.ai’s website or social media could provide additional context but was not feasible here.
• Critical Perspective: While the evidence strongly suggests a scam, Velod.ai’s owners could theoretically provide proof of legitimacy (e.g., regulatory licenses, audited financials). However, their failure to do so amidst widespread complaints supports the current assessment.
• Citations: All claims are backed by cited sources (–), ensuring reliability. Users can request specific links for further verification. If you need a deeper dive into any section or assistance with recovery options, let me know!