Below is a detailed analysis of X Charter (Pty) Ltd, based on the provided official website (https://x-chartermarkets.com/) and the requested criteria: online complaint information, risk level assessment, website security tools, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting analysis, social media, red flags, potential risk indicators, website content analysis, regulatory status, user precautions, and potential brand confusion. The analysis incorporates available information, critically evaluates the data, and avoids speculative conclusions where evidence is lacking.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

Sources and Complaints: Significant concerns have been raised about X Charter on platforms like WikiFX and Scamadviser. WikiFX reports 34 complaints in the past three months, including a specific case where a user lost nearly $10,000 USD after being lured into increasing deposits with promises of high profits, only to face withdrawal issues and account access problems. The user described interactions with individuals promoting the platform, suggesting potential social engineering tactics.
Scamadviser Feedback: Scamadviser notes 16 reviews with an average score of 1 star, indicating widespread dissatisfaction. Complaints include Ponzi-like behavior, such as halted withdrawals and demands for additional payments before funds can be accessed. Users report poor customer support and unresolved issues, with some seeking external assistance to recover funds.
Pattern of Complaints: The recurring themes are inability to withdraw funds, aggressive upselling, and lack of transparency, which are common in fraudulent broker schemes. These complaints align with tactics used by unregulated or scam brokers, raising significant concerns about X Charter’s operations. Assessment: The volume and nature of complaints suggest a high likelihood of fraudulent activity, with consistent reports of financial losses and deceptive practices.

2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

Scamadviser Trust Score: Scamadviser assigns x-chartermarkets.com an extremely low trust score, labeling it as a potential scam due to its young domain age, lack of verifiable company details, and negative user reviews. The algorithm considers source code, terms and conditions, and review sentiment, all pointing to high risk.
TraderKnows Classification: TraderKnows lists X Charter as “Suspected Fraud,” citing vague registration information and lack of transparency about its operations.
Investment Risk: The website promotes high-risk financial products (forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies) with promises of high returns and “secure profit,” which Scamadviser flags as misleading. Such claims are unrealistic, as no investment guarantees profits, especially in volatile markets.
BrokerChooser and BrokersView: While not directly addressing X Charter, similar brokers (e.g., Crib Markets, XPro Markets) are flagged as high-risk due to unregulated status and withdrawal issues, reinforcing the pattern seen with X Charter. Assessment: The risk level is very high due to consistent scam indicators, negative user experiences, and lack of credible risk mitigation measures.

3. Website Security Tools ¶

SSL/TLS Certificate: The website uses a valid SSL certificate (Cloudflare Inc ECC CA-3), ensuring encrypted data transmission. This is standard for most websites and does not necessarily indicate trustworthiness.
Security Headers: Analysis via tools like SecurityHeaders.com (not directly performed but inferred from standard practices) suggests basic security measures (e.g., HTTPS) are in place, but no advanced protections (e.g., Content Security Policy, HTTP Strict Transport Security) are evident from public data.
Malware and Phishing Checks: Gridinsoft and IPQS have not flagged x-chartermarkets.com for malware, but IPQS labels it as suspicious due to its hosting on a shared server, which increases vulnerability to attacks if other sites on the server are compromised.
Firewall and DDoS Protection: The site uses Cloudflare for DNS and hosting, which provides basic DDoS protection and CDN services. However, this is common even among fraudulent sites and does not enhance credibility. Assessment: The website has basic security measures (SSL, Cloudflare), but these are insufficient to offset scam concerns. Hosting on a shared server introduces additional risks.

4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

Domain Details (from):
Domain Name: x-chartermarkets.com
Creation Date: January 30, 2024
Expiration Date: January 30, 2025
Registrar: Alibaba.com Singapore E-Commerce Private Limited
Registrant Location: Yuenan (Vietnam), with redacted personal details
Name Servers: andy.ns.cloudflare.com, tricia.ns.cloudflare.com
Status: OK (active, no restrictions)
Red Flags:
Young Domain Age: A domain less than a year old is a common trait of scam websites, as they often operate briefly before disappearing.
Registrant Location: The registrant is based in Vietnam, which conflicts with claims of being an Australian entity (X Charter (AU) PTY LTD). This discrepancy raises concerns about authenticity.
Redacted Information: While WHOIS privacy is standard, the lack of verifiable company details hinders transparency. Assessment: The WHOIS data indicates a high-risk profile due to the young domain, geographic inconsistency, and lack of transparent ownership.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

Hosting Provider: The site is hosted by Cloudflare, a widely used CDN and hosting service. The IP address is obscured by Cloudflare’s reverse proxy, which is standard but limits direct IP analysis.
Shared Hosting Concerns: IPQS notes that x-chartermarkets.com is hosted on a shared server, increasing the risk of cross-site vulnerabilities if other hosted sites are compromised.
Geolocation: The server location is not publicly disclosed due to Cloudflare’s infrastructure, but the registrant’s Vietnam base contrasts with the claimed Australian operations, suggesting potential misrepresentation.
Performance and Uptime: Cloudflare ensures decent uptime and performance, but this is irrelevant to the site’s legitimacy. Assessment: Hosting via Cloudflare is neutral, but shared hosting and geographic discrepancies heighten risk.

Presence: The website lacks visible links to official social media accounts, a red flag noted by Scamadviser, as legitimate brokers typically maintain active social media for engagement and transparency.
Complaint Channels: Complaints on platforms like WikiFX mention recruitment via social media by individuals posing as experts, suggesting X Charter may use social media for outreach but not for official branding.
Risk of Impersonation: The SEC warns about fraudsters using social media to impersonate legitimate firms or spread misleading information. X Charter’s lack of verified social media presence increases the risk of such tactics. Assessment: The absence of a verifiable social media presence and reports of social media-based recruitment scams indicate high risk and lack of transparency.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

Unrealistic Promises: The website claims “guaranteed income” and “secure profit,” which are misleading and indicative of scams. High-return, low-risk offers are unrealistic in financial markets.
Withdrawal Issues: Multiple complaints report blocked or delayed withdrawals, a hallmark of fraudulent brokers.
Pressure Tactics: Users report aggressive upselling (e.g., demands to increase deposits), a common scam tactic.
Vague Registration: TraderKnows notes unclear registration details, and the claimed Australian base conflicts with WHOIS data.
Low Transparency: The site lacks detailed company information, office location, or verifiable leadership profiles, reducing trust.
Suspicious Contact Details: The provided physical address (4140 Parker Rd., Allentown, New Mexico 31134) and phone number ((239) 555-0108) appear questionable. The address is generic and not linked to a verifiable office, and the phone number’s area code (Florida) conflicts with the New Mexico address.
Young Domain: The domain’s recent creation (January 2024) aligns with short-lived scam operations.
Shared Hosting: Hosting on a shared server increases security risks.
Negative Reviews: A 1-star average from 16 reviews on Scamadviser reflects poor user trust. Assessment: Multiple red flags (unrealistic claims, withdrawal issues, vague details, young domain) strongly suggest fraudulent intent.

8. Website Content Analysis ¶

Content Overview: The website promotes trading in forex, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies via platforms like MetaTrader 4/5 and a proprietary app. It claims to be an authorized representative under ASIC with license number 001308821 and emphasizes fast withdrawals, PCI DSS compliance, and low spreads.
Claims vs. Reality:
ASIC License: The claimed ASIC license (001308821) is listed as revoked on WikiFX, contradicting the site’s claims of regulatory compliance.
PCI DSS Compliance: While PCI DSS compliance is mentioned, there’s no verifiable evidence (e.g., certification badge or third-party audit), reducing credibility.
Trading Platforms: Offering MetaTrader 4/5 is standard, but the proprietary app’s legitimacy is unverified.
Spreads and Leverage: Claims of spreads from 0 pips and “unlimited” leverage (1:Unlimited) are concerning, as such terms are often used to lure inexperienced traders into high-risk positions.
Design and Professionalism: The site appears functional but lacks polish, with generic content and no detailed team or office information, which is unusual for a legitimate broker. Assessment: The content is designed to attract traders with appealing but unverifiable claims. The revoked ASIC license and unrealistic terms undermine credibility.

9. Regulatory Status ¶

Claimed Regulation: X Charter claims to be an Authorized Representative under ASIC (license no. 001308821) and operates as X Charter (AU) PTY LTD.
Verification:
WikiFX reports the ASIC license as revoked, indicating X Charter is not currently regulated in Australia.
No evidence of registration with other major regulators (e.g., FCA, CySEC, SEC) is provided.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) database should be checked directly, but based on WikiFX, the license status is abnormal.
Implications: Operating without valid regulation is a major red flag, as it leaves traders unprotected against fraud or insolvency. Legitimate brokers maintain active licenses with top-tier regulators. Assessment: X Charter’s regulatory status is highly questionable, with evidence of a revoked ASIC license, rendering it effectively unregulated.

10. User Precautions ¶

To protect against potential risks when considering X Charter, users should:

Verify Regulation: Independently check the ASIC database (https://asic.gov.au/) for license number 001308821 to confirm its status.
Avoid Deposits: Refrain from depositing funds until the broker’s legitimacy is verified through trusted sources (e.g., ASIC, FINRA, or FCA).
Research Reviews: Cross-reference user reviews on platforms like WikiFX, Scamadviser, and BrokersView, focusing on withdrawal experiences.
Test Small Amounts: If engaging, start with a minimal deposit to test withdrawal processes, though this is not recommended given current evidence.
Use Secure Payment Methods: Prefer payment methods with buyer protection (e.g., credit cards) over irreversible methods like cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
Beware Social Media: Avoid trading based on social media promotions, as X Charter reportedly uses such channels for recruitment.
Consult Experts: Seek advice from independent financial advisors before investing.
Report Issues: If scammed, report to authorities like ASIC, the SEC, or services like Scams Report (https://scamsreport.net/). Assessment: Users must exercise extreme caution, prioritizing verification and avoiding engagement until legitimacy is confirmed.

11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

Similar Entities:
CharterMarkets Pty Ltd (https://www.chartermarkets.com.au/): A legitimate Australian boutique advisory firm focusing on IPOs and portfolio planning. It is unrelated to X Charter but shares a similar name, potentially causing confusion.
X-Markets (https://x-markets.pro/): A trading club and education platform, not a broker, which could be mistaken for X Charter due to the “X” and “Markets” branding.
Markets.com: A regulated global broker with a strong reputation, which fraudsters may impersonate. X Charter’s similar branding could exploit this.
Risk of Impersonation: The SEC warns of fraudsters mimicking legitimate firms via similar names or logos. X Charter’s naming resemblance to CharterMarkets and Markets.com may be intentional to deceive users.
Domain Similarity: The domain x-chartermarkets.com is distinct but close enough to chartermarkets.com.au to cause confusion, especially for users unfamiliar with the legitimate entity. Assessment: X Charter’s branding risks confusion with legitimate firms like CharterMarkets and Markets.com, potentially exploiting their reputations to mislead traders.

12. Critical Evaluation and Broader Context ¶

Critical Perspective: The establishment narrative (e.g., X Charter’s self-reported ASIC authorization) is contradicted by evidence of a revoked license and user complaints. This suggests deliberate misrepresentation rather than mere oversight. The lack of transparency, combined with aggressive social media tactics, aligns with patterns of Ponzi or advance-fee scams, where initial profits are shown to lure larger deposits before funds are locked.
Industry Context: The forex and crypto trading industry is rife with scams, as noted by BrokerChooser and Scams Report. Unregulated brokers like X Charter exploit inexperienced traders with promises of quick wealth, often disappearing after accumulating deposits.
Alternative Hypotheses: It’s possible X Charter is a new broker with operational issues rather than a deliberate scam, but the revoked license, young domain, and consistent complaints make this unlikely. A legitimate broker would prioritize transparency and regulatory compliance.

Conclusion ¶

X Charter (Pty) Ltd, operating via https://x-chartermarkets.com/, presents a very high risk based on the following:

High Scam Indicators: Numerous complaints, a revoked ASIC license, and unrealistic promises align with fraudulent broker tactics.
Lack of Transparency: Vague registration, questionable contact details, and no verifiable social media presence undermine credibility.
Security and Hosting Risks: Basic security measures and shared hosting do not mitigate broader concerns.
Brand Confusion: Similarity to legitimate firms like CharterMarkets increases the risk of deception.
User Precautions: Avoid engagement until regulatory status is verified; prioritize regulated brokers with strong reputations. Recommendation: Traders should avoid X Charter and opt for brokers regulated by top-tier authorities (e.g., ASIC, FCA, SEC). If already engaged, cease deposits, attempt withdrawals, and report issues to regulatory bodies or scam recovery services. For further verification, check ASIC’s database or consult platforms like BrokerChooser for vetted brokers.

Note: If you require specific links to cited sources or further analysis (e.g., direct ASIC database check), please clarify, and I can guide you on accessing them or deepen the investigation within my capabilities.

AI risk analysis - X Charter (2025-04-29 17:35:44)