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Re:

FCA Issues Alert Over Online Brokerage XTB Clone

The FCA warned consumers about XTB Trading World, an unauthorised clone impersonating XTB Limited. Here is how to verify the genuine firm, understand protection and report a suspected scam.
From TheFinanceBase Team7 min to read
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned consumers on 28 December 2023 about XTB Trading World, describing it as a clone of an FCA-authorised firm. The business was allegedly using the identity of legitimate broker XTB Limited without permission.

This was not a warning that genuine XTB Limited was unauthorised. The FCA said XTB Trading World had no connection with the genuine firm. Anyone approached by the clone would not receive the protections normally associated with an authorised UK financial firm.

What the FCA warning says

The FCA classifies a clone firm as an unauthorised business that contacts consumers while pretending to be a legitimate authorised company. Clone operators commonly copy a real firm’s name, registration number, address, branding or website style.

The details recorded for the warning were:

Detail Information listed by the FCA
Name XTB Trading World (Clone of FCA Authorised Firm)
Telephone +44 7424 912789
Email [email protected]
Warning date 28 December 2023

The FCA cautioned that scammers may use other telephone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses or Firm Reference Numbers. Contact details can also change. A caller not using the details above should not automatically be assumed to be genuine.

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The original FCA warning did not list a website for XTB Trading World. Claims that a particular domain was definitively connected to this specific warning should therefore be treated carefully unless supported by separate evidence.

Which XTB firm is authorised?

The legitimate UK firm being impersonated is XTB Limited. The key FCA identifier is:

Register detail Information
Firm XTB Limited
FCA Firm Reference Number 522157
Website xtb.com/en
Address recorded in the December 2023 warning Level 9, Office 9.12 One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AA
Telephone recorded in the warning +44 20 3695 3085

XTB’s own UK regulatory information also identifies XTB Limited as FCA-authorised under FRN 522157. However, the FCA warns that clone firms may copy genuine registration details. Finding “XTB Limited” or “522157” in an email is not enough: verify the firm using the FCA’s register and obtain contact details independently.

Why an address match is not proof

There are discrepancies between addresses appearing in different regulatory and company materials. The December 2023 FCA warning recorded Office 9.12. Other FCA clone warnings later referred to Office 9.14, while XTB’s current regulatory page gives Level 9, One Canada Square without an office number.

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That does not, by itself, prove that a communication is fraudulent. It does show why an address should not be used as the only authentication check. The FRN, regulated legal entity, permitted activities and independently sourced contact details must all line up.

The Warsaw address Prosta 67, 00-838 Warsaw also requires context. The FCA used it in a separate warning published on 13 August 2024 concerning “XTB Limited (clone of FCA authorised firm)” and the domain xtbtrading.org. XTB’s own site identifies Prosta 67 as the registered office of XTB S.A. in Poland. The address is therefore not automatically evidence of fraud, nor is it sufficient evidence of legitimacy.

What protection is lost when dealing with the clone?

The FCA said that people dealing with XTB Trading World would not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for complaints and would not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if the business failed.

This means recovery of money sent to the unauthorised business may be unlikely if the firm disappears or becomes insolvent. The warning applies to the clone, not automatically to customers of genuine XTB Limited. Eligible UK customers of the authorised firm may have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and potentially FSCS protection, depending on the relevant service, product and eligibility conditions.

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Protection is not created merely because a website uses the XTB name or displays an FCA number. It depends on dealing with the correct authorised legal entity and a service that falls within the relevant regulatory permissions.

How to check whether an XTB approach is genuine

  1. Do not use the link or phone number in the message. A convincing email, website or caller can direct you to details controlled by the scammer.
  2. Open the FCA’s Financial Services Register or Firm Checker independently. Search for “XTB Limited” and confirm FRN 522157.
  3. Check the permissions. Authorisation for one activity does not automatically mean permission to provide every investment or trading service. Confirm that the proposed service appears in the register.
  4. Compare the contact details with the register. Use the FCA-listed details rather than replying to the original message or calling the number supplied by the alleged representative.
  5. Access XTB through its independently typed address. XTB identifies its official UK website as xtb.com/en. Check the browser address carefully for misspellings, extra words or a different top-level domain.
  6. Stop if the firm applies pressure. Do not transfer money while someone is insisting on immediate action, guaranteed returns or secrecy.

Red flags identified by XTB

XTB’s fraud-awareness guidance says genuine representatives do not:

  • cold-call consumers to offer services or products;
  • make investment recommendations;
  • discuss existing or prospective accounts through social-media channels;
  • charge for help completing an account application;
  • charge a fee to release or withdraw funds;
  • request remote access to a computer or mobile device;
  • ask customers by telephone to transfer shares or money; or
  • request login details, particularly by creating a false sense of urgency.

XTB also says legitimate email communications should use its genuine domains, including xtb.com or xtb.co.uk. A message from a lookalike domain is a warning sign, but even a familiar-looking domain should be checked through the FCA register and XTB’s independently sourced contact channels.

Other FCA warnings using the XTB name

The XTB Trading World alert is one of several FCA warnings. The FCA Warning List distinguishes between clone firms and unauthorised firms:

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FCA entry First published Classification or status
XTB GROUP (Clone of FCA authorised firm) 15 March 2021 Updated 26 June 2025
XTB Global (Clone of FCA Authorised Firm) 22 September 2022 Last updated 27 October 2022
XTB Trading World (Clone of FCA Authorised Firm) 28 December 2023 No later update shown
XTB Limited (clone of FCA authorised firm) 13 August 2024 Updated 10 February 2026
XTB Online 26 June 2025 Listed as an unauthorised firm
xtbmarkettrade.live 13 August 2025 Separate FCA warning

These entries should not be merged into one incident. In particular, the 2024 warning involving “XTB Limited (clone of FCA authorised firm)” is separate from the December 2023 XTB Trading World warning.

What to do if you have already sent money

  1. Contact your bank or card provider immediately. Tell it that you believe you have paid a scam or unauthorised investment firm. Ask whether a payment can be recalled, stopped or disputed.
  2. Preserve evidence. Save emails, messages, website addresses, payment confirmations, account statements, telephone numbers and screenshots. Do not delete the conversation.
  3. Report the approach to the FCA. The FCA’s consumer helpline is 0800 111 6768, and reports can also be made through its online contact form.
  4. Report the fraud to the relevant police or fraud-reporting authority. XTB advises people without an account to report suspected fraud to the appropriate authority in their jurisdiction.
  5. Secure your accounts. Change any password disclosed to the caller, enable multi-factor authentication and tell your bank if remote-access software was installed.

The FCA says payments made to a fraudster on or after 7 October 2024 may fall within protections introduced by the Payment Systems Regulator. Reimbursement is not automatic and depends on the circumstances, so affected consumers should report the payment to their bank promptly and follow the FCA’s instructions.

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What the warning does—and does not—mean

The FCA did not say that all XTB services are a scam or that XTB Limited is unauthorised. It warned about a specific business, XTB Trading World, which it said was impersonating the authorised firm.

Nor does a matching name, FCA number, office address or branded website prove that a contact is genuine. The decisive checks are the FCA register, the firm’s regulated permissions and contact details obtained independently. If any of those checks fail—or if the person is demanding urgent payment—the safest course is to stop communicating and verify the approach directly.

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FAQ

Is XTB Trading World a legitimate FCA-authorised broker?

No. The FCA warning published on 28 December 2023 identified XTB Trading World as a clone firm and said it had no connection with genuine FCA-authorised firm XTB Limited.

Is genuine XTB Limited authorised in the UK?

XTB Limited is identified by the FCA under Firm Reference Number 522157. Consumers should confirm the firm’s current entry and permissions directly on the FCA Financial Services Register before using any service.

Did the FCA warn that XTB itself is a scam?

No. The warning concerned unauthorised businesses using or impersonating the XTB name. It did not state that genuine XTB Limited was unauthorised.

Does FSCS protection cover money sent to an XTB-branded website?

No. Branding alone does not create protection. The FCA said customers dealing with XTB Trading World would not have FSCS protection. Protection for genuine XTB Limited customers depends on eligibility and the particular regulated service.

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What was the website for XTB Trading World?

The FCA’s December 2023 warning did not list a website. A domain should not be attributed to that warning without separate evidence. The domain xtbtrading.org appeared in a separate 2024 FCA warning.

How do I report an XTB clone?

Report it to the FCA through its online contact form or by calling 0800 111 6768. If money has been sent, contact your bank immediately and report the suspected fraud to the relevant police or fraud-reporting authority.

The Bottom Line

Bottom line: The FCA alert targeted XTB Trading World, not genuine XTB Limited. Treat an unsolicited XTB investment approach as unverified until you independently confirm XTB Limited, FRN 522157, its permissions and its contact details on the FCA register. Never rely solely on a copied logo, address, FCA number or website, and contact your bank immediately if you have already transferred money.

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