Below is a comprehensive analysis of FXNET Limited, operating under the brand name Investing24, based on the provided criteria and available information. The analysis covers online complaints, risk level assessment, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting, social media presence, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, potential brand confusion, and website content analysis.

1. Overview of FXNET Limited and Investing24 ¶

• Official Website: https://www.investing24.com/en
• Operator: FXNET Limited, a Cypriot Investment Firm (CIF) incorporated in Cyprus (Certificate of Incorporation No. 300624).
• Brand Name: Investing24 (also associated with NESSFX, another brand under FXNET Limited).
• Services: Online trading services for Forex and Contracts for Difference (CFDs).
• Registered Address: 4 Theklas Lysioti St, Harmony House, Office 31, 3rd floor, 3030 Limassol, Cyprus.

2. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Sources: Trustpilot, Forex Peace Army, Reddit, and other review platforms reveal mixed user experiences:
• Trustpilot: Investing24 has a 3.2/5 rating, with 40% 5-star reviews and 45% negative reviews. Complaints include:
• Significant financial losses (e.g., one user reported losing USD 15,000 in three months).
• Aggressive marketing tactics and high-pressure sales.
• Suspicions of fake 5-star reviews, particularly for the related brand NESSFX.
• Forex Peace Army: Negative reviews highlight difficulties withdrawing funds and accusations of scam practices. Some users describe FXNET Limited as part of a broader network of questionable brokers.
• Reddit: A post by u/mikovattorneys warns of high-pressure sales, false promises of high returns, and questionable financial advice, suggesting both Investing24 and NESSFX target financially inexperienced individuals.
• Common Complaints:
• Difficulty accessing funds after deposits.
• Lack of transparency in trading conditions.
• Aggressive cold-calling and unsolicited investment pitches.
• Positive Feedback: Some users praise the platform’s user-friendly interface and MetaTrader 4 (MT4) integration, but these are overshadowed by negative experiences. Analysis: The volume of complaints, particularly around fund withdrawals and aggressive sales, raises concerns about the broker’s practices. The mixed reviews suggest inconsistent user experiences, potentially due to varying levels of user sophistication or targeted marketing.

3. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Inherent Risks:
• Forex and CFD Trading: Investing24 openly states that 86% of retail investor accounts lose money due to the high-risk nature of CFDs and leverage. This is consistent with industry norms but underscores the need for user caution.
• Lack of Top-Tier Regulation: While regulated by CySEC (see below), Cyprus is considered a mid-tier regulator compared to top-tier authorities like the UK’s FCA or Australia’s ASIC. Mid-tier regulators offer less stringent oversight and investor protection.
• Scam Risk Indicators:
• Offshore Connections: FXNET Limited is based in Cyprus but has been linked to Dubai operations, which may indicate offshore practices that reduce accountability.
• User Losses: Reports of significant financial losses and difficulty withdrawing funds increase the perceived risk.
• External Risk Ratings:
• Scam Detector: Investing24.com received a medium trust score of 58.8/100, tagged as “Active. Medium-Risk” due to phishing and spamming risks.
• Scamadviser: The related domain investing24.live has a very low trust score, indicating a high likelihood of being a scam.
• Traders Union: FX24 Investment Ltd (potentially a related entity) is flagged as unregistered and unreliable, with recommendations to avoid it. Analysis: The combination of high-risk financial instruments, mid-tier regulation, and consistent user complaints places FXNET Limited in a medium-to-high risk category. The association with potentially fraudulent domains (e.g., investing24.live) further elevates the risk.

4. Website Security Tools ¶

• SSL Certificate: The website (https://www.investing24.com) uses HTTPS, indicating the presence of an SSL certificate, which encrypts data between the user and the server. This is a standard security measure.
• Security Headers: No detailed information is available on specific security headers (e.g., Content Security Policy, X-Frame-Options), but the site’s HTTPS implementation suggests basic security.
• Scamadviser Analysis: For investing24.live, no valid SSL certificate was found, indicating potential vulnerabilities on related domains.
• Malware and Phishing: Scam Detector notes a high malware and spam score for investing24.com, suggesting risks of suspicious code or spam-ridden email addresses. Analysis: While the primary website appears to have basic security (HTTPS), the lack of transparency about advanced security measures and the poor security rating of related domains (e.g., investing24.live) are concerning. Users should exercise caution when sharing personal or financial information.

5. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain: investing24.com
• Registrar: GoDaddy.com, LLC
• Registrant: Domains By Proxy, LLC (a privacy service hiding the registrant’s identity).
• Technical Contact:
• Organization: Domains By Proxy, LLC
• Location: Tempe, Arizona, USA
• Phone: +1.4806242599
• Email: Available via GoDaddy’s WHOIS link.
• Registration Details:
• First Analyzed: June 2022 (Scamadviser).
• Last Updated: October 2023 (Scamadviser).
• Red Flags:
• Use of a privacy service to obscure registrant details is common but can be a red flag when combined with other risk indicators.
• The related domain investing24.live has been flagged for suspicious activity, potentially indicating brand confusion or cloning. Analysis: The WHOIS data is partially obscured, which is not uncommon but limits transparency. The association with a suspicious domain (investing24.live) suggests potential misuse of the brand name or cloning attempts.

6. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Hosting Provider: No specific hosting provider details are provided in the sources, but investing24.live was noted to share a server with other suspicious websites, lowering its trust score.
• IP Analysis: No IP address or geolocation data is available from the sources.
• Server Security: The lack of a valid SSL certificate on investing24.live suggests poor server security for related domains. Analysis: Limited information on hosting and IP details prevents a thorough assessment. However, the shared hosting of suspicious sites on related domains is a significant red flag, indicating potential vulnerabilities or intentional obfuscation.

7. Social Media Presence ¶

• Presence: Investing24 lacks a robust social media presence, which is noted as a red flag for fraudulent brokers.
• Risks:
• Fraudulent Use of Social Media: The SEC warns that fraudsters may use social media to impersonate legitimate brokers or spread false information. Investing24’s limited presence reduces this risk but also suggests a lack of transparency.
• Affinity Fraud: There’s no evidence of Investing24 engaging in affinity fraud (targeting specific communities), but the lack of social media engagement limits user interaction and verification.
• User Feedback: Negative reviews on platforms like Trustpilot and Reddit often mention unsolicited contact via phone or email, not social media. Analysis: The absence of a strong social media presence is a double-edged sword—it reduces the risk of social media-based scams but also limits transparency and user engagement. This aligns with complaints about reliance on cold-calling and email for client acquisition.

8. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Regulatory Breaches: FXNET Limited’s fxnet.com domain lost CySEC approval in 2019 due to a regulatory breach, though investing24.com remains licensed.
• Offshore Operations: Links to Dubai and Belize (for related entities) suggest offshore practices with looser regulatory standards.
• High-Pressure Sales: Multiple reviews report aggressive marketing and false promises of high returns.
• Suspicious Domains: The investing24.live domain is flagged as a potential scam, indicating possible brand cloning or confusion.
• Lack of Transparency:
• Limited information on management or operational details.
• Unclear account type specifics and high minimum deposits (e.g., $20,000 for the “Gold” account).
• User Complaints: Consistent reports of fund withdrawal issues and financial losses.
• Scam Detector Flags: High malware/spam scores and proximity to suspicious websites.
• Mixed Reviews: Conflicting user experiences, with suspicions of fake positive reviews. Analysis: The presence of multiple red flags—regulatory breaches, offshore ties, aggressive sales, and suspicious domains—indicates significant risks. These align with common tactics used by questionable brokers, as noted by the SEC and CFTC.

9. Regulatory Status ¶

• Regulator: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)
• License Number: 182/12 (granted on 01/11/2012).
• Status: FXNET Limited is authorized and regulated by CySEC for investing24.com and nessfx.com domains.
• CySEC Oversight:
• Requires a minimum capital of €730,000, segregated client accounts, and compliance with MiFID (EU directives).
• Member of the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), offering up to €20,000 in compensation if the broker fails.
• Negative balance protection ensures clients cannot lose more than their account balance.
• Limitations:
• CySEC is a mid-tier regulator with less stringent oversight than top-tier regulators (e.g., FCA, ASIC).
• Forex Peace Army notes that CySEC is under EU scrutiny, and its complaint resolution process is often ineffective.
• Other Regulators: FXNET Limited is registered with other EU regulators (e.g., BaFin, FCA) for cross-border services but is not primarily regulated by them.
• Concerns:
• The fxnet.com domain’s loss of CySEC approval in 2019 suggests past compliance issues.
• Related entity FX24 Investment Ltd is unregistered and flagged as a scam. Analysis: While CySEC regulation provides some investor protection, its mid-tier status and past regulatory issues with FXNET Limited reduce confidence. The unregulated status of related entities like – Analysis: While CySEC regulation provides some investor protection, its mid-tier status and past regulatory issues with FXNET Limited reduce confidence. The unregulated status of related entities like FX24 Investment Ltd further undermines trust. Users should verify the broker’s license directly with CySEC and be cautious of related brands.

10. User Precautions ¶

To mitigate risks when dealing with FXNET Limited (Investing24), users should:

• Verify Regulation: Confirm the broker’s CySEC license (182/12) directly on the CySEC website (https://www.cysec.gov.cy).
• Research Reviews: Cross-check user experiences on platforms like Trustpilot, Forex Peace Army, and Reddit, focusing on withdrawal issues and sales tactics.
• Start Small: Begin with the minimum deposit ($50) to test the platform’s reliability before committing larger sums.
• Avoid High-Pressure Sales: Be wary of unsolicited calls or emails promising high returns. Hang up or report such contacts to regulators like the SEC or FINRA.
• Secure Accounts: Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (if available) to protect personal information.
• Check Domains: Ensure you’re using the official website (https://www.investing24.com) and avoid similar domains like investing24.live.
• Understand Risks: Read the Risk Disclosure Notice on the website and only invest funds you can afford to lose.
• Monitor Transactions: Regularly check account activity and promptly report issues to CySEC or legal experts if funds are inaccessible.
• Seek Recovery Options: If funds are lost, contact firms specializing in fund recovery (e.g., traderprotection.co.uk) or report to regulators. Analysis: Proactive precautions are essential due to the broker’s mixed reputation and high-risk offerings. Users should prioritize regulatory verification and independent research to avoid potential scams.

11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Related Brands:
• NESSFX: Another brand under FXNET Limited, also regulated by CySEC. Negative reviews for NESSFX mirror those for Investing24, suggesting similar operational issues.
• FX24 Investment Ltd: An unregistered entity flagged as a scam, potentially causing confusion with FXNET Limited.
• Investing24.live: A suspicious domain with a low trust score, possibly mimicking Investing24 to deceive users.
• Cloning Risks: The SEC warns of fraudsters impersonating legitimate brokers using similar domain names or branding. Investing24.live’s low trust score suggests it may be a cloning attempt.
• Regulatory Misrepresentation: FXNET Limited’s past regulatory breach (fxnet.com) and links to unregistered entities like FX24 Investment Ltd could confuse users about its legitimacy. Analysis: The presence of similar brand names and domains increases the risk of confusion and potential fraud. Users must verify the exact domain (investing24.com) and CySEC license to avoid scams.

12. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Content Overview:
• Risk Warnings: The website prominently displays warnings that 86% of retail investors lose money and that CFDs are high-risk instruments. This transparency aligns with CySEC requirements.
• Trading Platforms: Offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) across desktop, Android, iPhone/iPad, and web platforms, which is standard for Forex brokers.
• Services: Focuses on Forex and CFD trading, with account types (Bronze, Silver, Gold) requiring minimum deposits from $500 to $20,000. The high Gold account deposit is flagged as suspicious.
• Policies: Detailed policies on KYC, AML, Conflicts of Interest, Order Execution, and Complaints Handling are available, indicating regulatory compliance.
• Red Flags:
• High Minimum Deposits: The $20,000 Gold account deposit is unusually high and may pressure users to invest more than they can afford.
• Limited Contact Options: Communication is primarily via email or phone, with no live chat or social media interaction, reducing accessibility.
• Vague Management Details: No information on the company’s management team, which reduces transparency.
• Trust Indicators:
• Clear regulatory information (CySEC license 182/12).
• Negative balance protection and ICF membership.
• Professional design and clear risk disclosures. Analysis: The website provides essential information and complies with regulatory transparency requirements, but high deposit thresholds and limited contact options are concerning. The lack of management details further erodes trust.

13. Conclusion and Recommendations ¶

Summary:

• Regulatory Status: FXNET Limited is regulated by CySEC (license 182/12), but its mid-tier status and past regulatory breach (fxnet.com) reduce confidence. Related entities like FX24 Investment Ltd are unregulated and flagged as scams.
• Risk Level: Medium-to-high due to high-risk CFD trading, user complaints, aggressive sales tactics, and suspicious related domains (e.g., investing24.live).
• Red Flags: Offshore connections, high-pressure sales, withdrawal issues, lack of social media presence, and potential brand confusion.
• Website Security: Basic HTTPS security is present, but related domains lack valid SSL certificates, and malware/spam risks are noted.
• User Feedback: Mixed, with significant complaints about losses and transparency, though some users praise the platform’s interface. Recommendations:

1. Proceed with Caution: Only engage with Investing24 after thorough research and verification of its CySEC license. Use the official website (https://www.investing24.com) to avoid cloning scams.
2. Start Small: Test the platform with the minimum deposit ($50) and monitor withdrawal processes before committing larger sums.
3. Avoid Related Domains: Steer clear of investing24.live and other suspicious domains to prevent fraud.
4. Report Issues: If you encounter problems, report to CySEC, the SEC, or FINRA, and consider legal assistance for fund recovery.
5. Alternative Brokers: Consider brokers regulated by top-tier authorities (e.g., FCA, ASIC) for stronger investor protection. Use tools like BrokerChooser to find safer options. Final Note: While FXNET Limited (Investing24) is regulated, its mixed reputation, high-risk offerings, and association with questionable entities make it a risky choice. Users should prioritize due diligence and explore more reputable brokers to minimize financial risks.

Sources ¶

The analysis is based on the provided web results and general knowledge of broker evaluation criteria. Specific citations are included where applicable (e.g.,). For further verification, users can check CySEC’s website, Trustpilot, or regulatory bodies like the SEC and FINRA.