Warning over Bitcoin firm called Chemmi Holdings Max CFD using Martin Lewis’s picture on Fabebook ads to ‘steal money from investors’
Customers of the firm claim they've lost thousands of pounds after investing in Bitcoin.
INVESTORS trying to cash in on Bitcoin’s surge claim to have lost thousands of pounds after falling prey to a firm using fake Facebook ads featuring Martin Lewis.
Last week, the city watchdog issued a warning about the unregulated company known as “Chemmi Holdings Max CFD”, which is based in London.
The firm advertises online and has a professional-looking website and ask investors deposit cash in an account using credit or debit cards.
It claims to be a leading trading platform, giving investors “the safest, most convenient and all around best trading experience ever”.
But when investors request to withdraw cash, they claim their applications are refused and as they wait the balance dwindles to nothing as they are charged inactivity fees by the firm.
Angry customers – some who have handed over thousands of pounds - have taken to websites like Trustpilot to complain about being ripped off.
One wrote: “I saw an ad on Facebook supposedly of Martin Lewis recommending Bitcoin, so I clicked on the 'Get started' button.
“Almost immediately I received a call from them and deposited £250.
“Panicking at what I had done without thinking it all through I researched MaxCFD and saw all the bad reviews and that Martin Lewis had denounced the ad.”
“I rang the bank and have blocked them from taking any more money from my account, and notified MaxCFD I wanted my money refunded.
“I am worried that having sent off all my identity details to them I will be a victim of identity fraud, I don't expect to get my money back and have learned a lesson the hard way.”
Another added: “In November 2017, I responded to a Facebook advert for MaxCfd in order to purchase Bitcoin.
I paid £2,000 to Maxcfd only to be told the next day that I would have to send another £8,000 in order to make my account viable…
“They asked to increased my Stake to £5,000. I refused this offer and requested my £2,000 be returned to my bank as soon as possible.
“To this date I have not received a single penny back.”.
Some customers claim they were hooked in by Facebook ads by the firm using bogus quotes from MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis supporting Bitcoin.
In August last year he issued a warning against such firms and accused them of trying to “leech off” his reputation.
Martin Lewis told The Sun Online: “It makes me very angry and frustrated.
“There are so many things wrong with these adverts. They send you through to a horrible scam that is a wonderful way to lose money.
“We have been working to stop these adverts. It is just undoing the work I have done to help people manage their money.
If you’re looking to invest money or even if you see an advert that appeals to you.
“Go and check a legitimate source to see if they are seeing the same thing. If not, then don’t assume it will be a good way to make money.”
The money expert is just one of the celebrities who’ve been used by firms without their knowledge.
In January, we revealed how more than 1,600 victims had lost £342 on average after being duped on Facebook last year.
Other famous faces have included Richard Branson whose appeared on a get-rich-quick scheme ad dealing in Bitcoin.
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City watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority, issued a statement on its website about Chemmi Holings/ Max CFD.
It said: “We believe this firm has been providing financial services or products in the UK without our authorisation.
“Almost all firms and individuals offering, promoting or selling financial services or products in the UK have to be authorised by us.
“However, some firms act without our authorisation and some knowingly run investment scams.
“This firm is not authorised by us and is targeting people in the UK.
“Based upon information we hold, we believe it is carrying on regulated activities which require authorisation.”
The Sun Online has contacted Cemmi Holidays/ Max CFD for a comment.
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