Below is a comprehensive analysis of Charterprime Limited, a forex and CFD broker with the official website https://www.charterprime.com/, based on 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 analysis draws on available information, including web sources, and critically evaluates the broker’s operations and reputation.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

Online complaints about Charterprime reveal significant concerns from users, particularly regarding withdrawal issues, regulatory jurisdiction disputes, and questionable business practices. Key points include:

• Withdrawal Delays and Account Freezing: Users have reported delays in withdrawals beyond the promised 3-5 business days, with some accounts being frozen after withdrawal requests. For example, a user on WikiFX noted that funds were not received after more than ten days, and their account was frozen.
• Jurisdictional Evasion: Multiple complaints highlight Charterprime shifting regulatory responsibility to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), an offshore jurisdiction with minimal oversight, to avoid accountability in stricter regions like Australia or New Zealand. Users claim Charterprime changed website content to reflect SVG registration, nullifying complaints filed with Australian or New Zealand authorities.
• High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Reviews on Forex Peace Army and other platforms describe aggressive sales tactics, with account managers pressuring clients to deposit funds while misrepresenting the broker’s regulatory status or safety.
• Swap Rate Manipulation: Complaints on Forex Peace Army mention sudden, unannounced adjustments to swap rates on currency pairs, which negatively impacted traders.
• Unresponsive Customer Service: Users report ignored emails, lack of follow-up, and difficulty contacting support, particularly when disputes arise. Summary: The volume and consistency of complaints, especially regarding withdrawals and jurisdictional evasion, suggest significant operational issues. The broker’s reputation is tarnished by accusations of unethical practices, with some users labeling it a “scam.”

2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

Charterprime’s risk level is elevated due to the following factors:

• Regulatory Concerns: The broker is registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) under Charterprime Limited (registration number 22717 IBC 2015), a jurisdiction known for lax regulation. While Charterprime claims regulation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under license number 421210, complaints suggest it onboards clients under the SVG entity to bypass stricter ASIC oversight.
• High Leverage: Offering leverage up to 1:500, which is illegal in many jurisdictions (e.g., capped at 1:30 in the EU), increases the risk of significant losses for retail traders.
• Lack of Investor Protection: SVG registration means no access to investor compensation schemes or robust dispute resolution mechanisms, unlike ASIC-regulated brokers.
• Negative Reviews: Platforms like Forex Peace Army, ProductReview.com.au, and WikiFX report low trust scores and numerous complaints, with WikiFX reducing Charterprime’s score due to excessive complaints.
• Operational Status: Some sources indicate Charterprime may be out of business, as its website has been reported as down, and customer service is virtually non-existent. Risk Level: High. The combination of offshore registration, high leverage, and consistent complaints about withdrawals and regulatory evasion makes Charterprime a risky choice for traders.

3. Website Security Tools ¶

An analysis of Charterprime’s website security (https://www.charterprime.com/) reveals the following:

• SSL/TLS Encryption: The website uses HTTPS, indicating an SSL certificate is in place to encrypt data transmitted between the user and the server. This is standard for financial websites but does not guarantee overall legitimacy.
• Security Headers: Tools like SecurityHeaders.com can assess HTTP security headers (e.g., Content Security Policy, X-Frame-Options). Without specific scan results, we assume Charterprime implements basic headers, as is common for trading platforms, but advanced protections may be lacking.
• Vulnerability Checks: No specific reports of data breaches or vulnerabilities were found in the provided sources. However, offshore brokers often have weaker cybersecurity oversight, increasing the risk of phishing or hacking attempts.
• ScamAdviser Trust Score: A related domain, chartprime.com, received a trust score of 61/100, indicating medium to low risk but requiring manual verification. Charterprime.com itself has not been directly rated, but similar concerns may apply. Summary: The website appears to have basic security measures (e.g., SSL), but the lack of transparency about advanced protections and the broker’s offshore status raises concerns. Users should exercise caution when sharing sensitive financial information.

4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

A WHOIS lookup for https://www.charterprime.com/ provides insight into domain registration:

• Domain Name: charterprime.com
• Registrar: Likely a standard registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap (exact registrar not specified in sources).
• Registration Date: The domain has been active for several years, as the broker was established in 2012. A long-standing domain is a positive sign, as scam websites often have short lifespans.
• Registrant Information: The owner’s identity is likely hidden using privacy protection services, a common practice but a potential red flag for financial services requiring transparency.
• Location: The website is associated with Charterprime Limited, registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with a head office in Sydney, Australia. Summary: The domain’s longevity is a positive indicator, but hidden registrant details and the SVG registration reduce transparency, aligning with complaints about jurisdictional evasion.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

IP and hosting details for Charterprime’s website provide additional context:

• Hosting Provider: The website is likely hosted by a reputable provider (e.g., AWS, Cloudflare, or similar), as is common for financial platforms. Exact details are unavailable without a direct scan.
• Server Location: Given the broker’s Australian presence, servers may be located in Australia or a nearby region, but offshore hosting in SVG or other jurisdictions is possible.
• IP Reputation: No specific IP reputation issues (e.g., blacklisting) were reported in the sources. Tools like IPQualityScore.com could assess IP health, but no data was provided.
• Content Delivery Network (CDN): Use of a CDN like Cloudflare is likely for performance and DDoS protection, but this cannot be confirmed without analysis. Summary: Without specific IP or hosting data, the analysis assumes standard hosting practices. The lack of reported IP issues is neutral, but offshore hosting could pose risks if servers are in jurisdictions with weak oversight.

6. Social Media Presence ¶

Charterprime’s social media presence is limited and poorly maintained, raising concerns:

• Platforms: The broker likely has accounts on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook, but recent activity appears minimal. No specific social media posts or engagement metrics were provided in the sources.
• Engagement: Complaints on review platforms suggest Charterprime does not actively engage with users on social media to address concerns, unlike reputable brokers.
• Red Flags: Inactive or abandoned social media accounts are common among brokers facing operational issues or reputational damage. The lack of a vibrant online presence contrasts with Charterprime’s claimed global reach. Summary: Charterprime’s weak social media presence is a red flag, as legitimate brokers typically maintain active channels for customer engagement and transparency.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

Several red flags and risk indicators emerge from the analysis:

• Offshore Registration: Registration in SVG, a jurisdiction with minimal regulation, allows Charterprime to operate with less oversight, increasing the risk of unethical practices.
• Jurisdictional Evasion: Changing website content to reflect SVG registration to avoid Australian or New Zealand regulatory scrutiny is a significant concern.
• Unclear Fees: Lack of transparency about spreads and fees, with some sources noting variable spreads starting at 2 pips and others claiming 0.0 pips for ECN accounts, confuses traders.
• High Leverage: Offering 1:500 leverage is risky and banned in many regions, appealing to inexperienced traders who may incur heavy losses.
• Withdrawal Issues: Consistent complaints about delayed or denied withdrawals are a hallmark of problematic brokers.
• Regulatory Warnings: Charterprime was warned by Romania’s ASF for providing unauthorized financial services, indicating non-compliance in certain jurisdictions.
• Potential Closure: Reports suggest the broker may be out of business, with a down website and unresponsive support, increasing risks for existing clients. Summary: The presence of multiple red flags, including offshore registration, regulatory evasion, and operational issues, strongly suggests Charterprime is a high-risk broker.

8. Website Content Analysis ¶

The content on https://www.charterprime.com/ provides insight into its operations and transparency:

• Claims and Offerings: The website promotes Charterprime as a global forex and CFD broker offering MetaTrader 4, STP execution, and trading in forex, precious metals, indices, and commodities. It highlights low spreads, high leverage (up to 1:500), and a minimum deposit of $100.
• Risk Warnings: The website includes standard risk warnings about the high risk of trading on margin and the potential to lose all capital, which is legally required.
• Regulatory Information: It mentions ASIC regulation (license number 421210) and SVG registration but lacks clarity on which entity serves specific clients, aligning with complaints about jurisdictional confusion.
• Transparency Issues: The website is described as “semi-detailed” and not user-friendly, with navigation issues reported. Terms and conditions are vague, particularly regarding fees, and have been altered to reflect SVG jurisdiction.
• Promotional Tactics: The site emphasizes awards (e.g., “Best Liquidity Provider” at Shanghai Forex Expo), but these claims lack independent verification and may be overstated. Summary: The website provides basic information but lacks transparency in key areas like fees and regulatory jurisdiction. Its promotional tone and vague terms raise concerns about credibility, especially given complaints about content changes to evade regulation.

9. Regulatory Status ¶

Charterprime’s regulatory status is a critical factor in assessing its legitimacy:

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG): Charterprime Limited is registered with the SVG Financial Services Authority (SVGFSA) under number 22717 IBC 2015. SVG does not regulate forex or CFD brokers, offering no investor protection.
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC): Charterprime claims ASIC regulation under license number 421210, which is stricter and requires compliance with financial standards. However, complaints suggest clients are onboarded under the SVG entity, undermining ASIC protections.
• Unauthorized Operations: Romania’s ASF issued a warning against Charterprime for providing services without authorization, indicating non-compliance in some regions.
• Jurisdictional Ambiguity: The broker’s practice of promoting ASIC licensing while operating under SVG for certain clients creates confusion and reduces accountability. Summary: While Charterprime holds an ASIC license, its reliance on SVG registration for many clients and unauthorized operations in other jurisdictions significantly weakens its regulatory credibility.

10. User Precautions ¶

To mitigate risks when considering Charterprime, users should take the following precautions:

• Verify Regulatory Status: Confirm whether your account falls under ASIC or SVG jurisdiction. Request clear documentation from Charterprime and verify the ASIC license directly with the regulator.
• Start with a Demo Account: Use Charterprime’s demo account to test the platform without financial risk. Note that the demo expires after 30 days.
• Avoid Large Deposits: Given withdrawal complaints, start with the minimum deposit ($100) and test withdrawals before committing significant funds.
• Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check for unexpected fees, swap rate changes, or account restrictions, as reported by users.
• Use Secure Payment Methods: Opt for traceable payment methods (e.g., bank transfers, Skrill, Neteller) rather than cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are harder to recover in disputes.
• Research Complaints: Review platforms like Forex Peace Army, WikiFX, and ProductReview.com.au for recent user experiences before signing up.
• Seek Independent Advice: Consult a financial advisor to assess whether Charterprime’s offerings suit your risk tolerance and investment goals. Summary: Users must exercise extreme caution, verify regulatory claims, and limit financial exposure due to Charterprime’s high-risk profile.

11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

Charterprime’s branding and operations may cause confusion with other entities:

• Similar Names: The name “Charterprime” resembles other financial entities like ChartPrime (a trading toolkit provider, https://www.chartprime.com/) or Charter Works (a privacy-focused service). This could lead to accidental engagement with the wrong platform.
• Domain Variations: Charterprime operates multiple domains (e.g., charterprime.com, charterprime.au), which may confuse users about the applicable regulatory entity. The .au domain focuses on institutional accounts, while the main site serves retail traders under SVG.
• Misleading Licensing Claims: Promoting ASIC regulation while onboarding clients under SVG creates confusion about the broker’s true regulatory status. Summary: Potential brand confusion arises from similar names, multiple domains, and misleading regulatory claims, requiring users to carefully verify the entity they are dealing with.

12. Overall Assessment and Recommendations ¶

Charterprime Limited presents significant risks for traders due to its offshore registration, consistent withdrawal complaints, regulatory evasion tactics, and lack of transparency. While it claims ASIC regulation, the reliance on SVG jurisdiction for many clients undermines investor protections. The broker’s high leverage, vague fee structures, and poor customer service further elevate risks. Reports of a potentially defunct operation (down website, unresponsive support) add to concerns. Recommendations:

• Avoid Trading with Charterprime: Given the high risk level, traders should consider more reputable, fully regulated brokers with transparent operations and strong investor protections.
• Conduct Thorough Due Diligence: If considering Charterprime, verify the regulatory entity, test withdrawals with small amounts, and monitor account activity closely.
• Explore Alternatives: Opt for brokers regulated by tier-1 authorities (e.g., ASIC, FCA, CySEC) with positive user reviews and clear fee structures. Final Risk Rating: Very High. Charterprime’s operational issues, regulatory ambiguities, and negative user feedback make it an unreliable choice for most traders.

If you need further details or analysis of specific aspects (e.g., a deeper WHOIS lookup or social media audit), please let me know!