Investor Alert:
Warning about work from home scams during COVID-19 crisis
Winnipeg– The Manitoba Securities Commission(MSC) is warning the public about potentially fraudulent ads by companies offering opportunities to work from home as securities traders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ads state that traders can keep a large percentage of the profits, and they don’t need experience or a licence; however, the firms demand payment of fees from would-be traders, and the MSC believes neither the firms nor fees are legitimate.
In Canada, anyone in the business of trading securities must be registered with the securities regulator in each province or territory where they do business, unless an exemption applies. To become registered, individuals need to meet minimum proficiency standards.
The MSC suspects that similar scams will continue to increase as more Canadians are looking for alternative sources of income due to layoffs or requirements to stay home during the COVID-19 crisis.
Les membres du public qui croient avoir été visés par toute tentative de fraude sont invités à communiquer avec la CVM. Le numéro de la ligne antifraude de la CVM est le 1-855-FRAUD-MB.
The MSC is also warning investors about companies claiming to have products or services that will prevent, detect or cure COVID-19. At this time, there is no vaccine or natural health product that is authorized to treat or protect against COVID-19.
Be cautious of any claims that a company has a solution to help stop the pandemic. Reliable information about COVID-19 is available from the World Health Organization and the and the Government of Canada.
More information about the MSC’s response to the COVID-19 crisis is available ici.
On peut aussi visiter le site recognizeinvestmentfraud.com pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements sur les fraudes et les escroqueries courantes
La Commission des valeurs mobilières du Manitoba est une division de l’Office des services financiers du Manitoba, organisme de service spécial du gouvernement du Manitoba chargé de protéger les investisseurs et de favoriser l’équité et l’efficacité dans les marchés financiers de la province.
-30-