On 24 May 2018, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned that GCC Investing was not authorised by the FCA and appeared to be carrying on regulated activities while targeting people in the UK. The FCA’s warning does not itself establish that the firm was a scam or verify what products it offered. Anyone considering an investment firm should check its permissions on the FCA Register before sending money.
GCC Investing was described in third-party material as a forex and CFD broker. However, the FCA warning itself does not confirm a particular trading platform, product range or account structure. It identifies the firm as an unauthorised business and warns that people dealing with it would generally not receive the protection available when using an authorised UK firm.
What the FCA warning says
The FCA published its warning against GCC Investing on 24 May 2018. The warning page still shows “Last updated: 24/05/2018”. According to the regulator, GCC Investing was not authorised by the FCA, but information held by the regulator indicated that it was carrying on regulated activities while targeting people in the UK.
That wording matters. The FCA warning is an unauthorised-firm warning; it is not, by itself, a statement that GCC Investing was convicted of fraud, that a court had legally determined it to be a scam, or that the FCA had issued a final enforcement decision against it.
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The FCA’s warning identified the business using the following details:
| Detail | Information recorded by the FCA |
|---|---|
| Name | GCC Investing |
| Website | gccinvesting.com |
| Telephone | 02080891273 |
| Address | Patriarch Evtimii No. 49, Prestige Business Center, Triadista District, Sofia, Bulgaria |
| Registered address | Roosikrantsi tn 2-K326, Keslinna city district, Tallinn, Harju county, 10119, Estonia |
| Operational address | 85 James Boucher Blvd, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria |
The FCA page also displays two email links using the gccinvesting.com domain. A Danish warning published on 2 March 2018 separately recorded [email protected], the UK number +44 (208) 089 1273, the German number +49 (303) 187 9932 and a Bulgarian number recorded as +35 (92) 492 8320.
Was GCC Investing a forex broker?
Historical broker directories and online reviews commonly described GCC Investing as a forex and CFD broker. That is useful context, but it should not be presented as a product finding made by the FCA. The FCA warning does not use the phrase “forex broker”, name specific financial products, or confirm the firm’s trading software or account types.
The careful description is that GCC Investing was marketed or described online as a forex/CFD broker, while the FCA confirmed that it was not authorised and appeared to be targeting UK consumers with regulated activities.
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What “unauthorised” means for UK customers
Most firms and individuals offering, promoting or selling financial services in the UK must be authorised or registered. Authorisation is not a general seal of approval: a firm must also have permission for the specific service it is offering.
The FCA directs consumers to check the Financial Services Register. A legitimate-looking website, a UK telephone number or an address in Europe does not replace that check.
The practical consequences of dealing with an unauthorised firm can be significant:
- Money given to the firm will generally not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service if something goes wrong.
- Customers will generally not have access to Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection if the firm fails.
- The FCA may not be able to resolve a dispute or recover funds simply because the business appeared to offer financial services to UK residents.
The FCA’s current general Warning List guidance also notes that separate Payment Systems Regulator protections may apply in some circumstances to payments made to a fraudster on or after 7 October 2024. That general rule does not establish that any particular payment to GCC Investing qualifies, and affected customers should contact their bank or payment provider promptly.
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Other regulator warnings
The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority issued a warning on 2 March 2018. It said GCC Investing was providing investment services in Denmark without authorisation to operate as an investment firm there, and advised the public not to respond to the firm’s offers or transfer money to accounts it mentioned.
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets’ warning index also records GCC Investing with a warning date of 2 March 2018. These notices are separate from the UK FCA warning, but they reinforce the need to distinguish a firm’s marketing claims from regulatory authorisation in each country where it solicits customers.
What the FCA warning does—and does not—establish
| Supported by the FCA warning | Not established by the warning alone |
|---|---|
| GCC Investing was not authorised by the FCA. | That the FCA had convicted the firm of fraud. |
| The firm appeared to be carrying on regulated activities while targeting UK people. | That GCC Investing was legally determined to be a scam. |
| The FCA recorded the website, telephone number and Bulgarian and Estonian addresses. | That the firm stole customer funds. |
| Customers dealing with an unauthorised firm would generally lack FOS and FSCS protection. | That GCC Investing is operating today or ceased operating on the warning date. |
What to do if GCC Investing contacted you
- Do not send more money. Stop responding to pressure to deposit, pay taxes, unlock profits or make withdrawal fees.
- Contact your bank or card provider immediately. Ask whether a payment can be recalled, disputed or subject to the relevant payment-protection process. Speed matters, particularly for bank transfers and card payments.
- Keep evidence. Save emails, messages, telephone numbers, account statements, wallet addresses, payment receipts, screenshots and the names used by callers.
- Report the matter. UK consumers can report suspected scams to the FCA and to Action Fraud, or Police Scotland if they are in Scotland.
- Be cautious of recovery offers. People who have lost money are often targeted by callers promising to recover it for an upfront fee. A second payment does not improve the prospects of recovering the first.
If you are considering any online investment firm, search the FCA Register independently rather than using a link or telephone number supplied by the firm. Check both the exact legal name and whether the permission covers the service being offered. Also remember that the FCA says a firm’s absence from its Warning List does not prove that the firm is authorised or legitimate: unauthorised businesses can change names, and the regulator may not yet know about them.
Current-status caution
The individual FCA warning for GCC Investing has not been updated since 24 May 2018. That is the publication/update date of the warning, not evidence that GCC Investing started or stopped operating on that day. It also does not prove that the business remains active now.
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Likewise, similar names should not be treated as evidence of a connection. In particular, GCC Investing should not automatically be conflated with a business called GCC Brokers without reliable corporate records showing that they are the same entity.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Is GCC Investing FCA authorised?
No. The FCA’s warning dated 24 May 2018 states that GCC Investing was not authorised by the FCA and appeared to be carrying on regulated activities while targeting people in the UK.
Did the FCA officially call GCC Investing a scam?
Not in the warning itself. The FCA described GCC Investing as an unauthorised firm. The notice does not state that the business was convicted of fraud or legally determined to be a scam.
Was GCC Investing a forex broker?
Third-party directories and historical reviews commonly described it as a forex and CFD broker. The FCA warning does not independently confirm its products, platform or account types.
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- ✅【Sturdy & Protective】 ：Made of sturdy metal, it can support up to 17.6 lbs (8kg) weight on top; With 2 rubber mats on the hook and anti-skid silicone pads on top & bottom, it can secure your laptop in place and maximum protect your device from scratches and sliding. Moreover, smooth edges will never hurt your hands.
- ✅【Heat Dissipation】 ：The top of the laptop stand is designed with multiple ventilation holes. The open design offers greater ventilation and more airflow to cool your laptop during operation other than it just lays flat on the table.
- ✅【Portable & Foldable】：The foldable design allows you to easily slip it in your backpack. Ideal for people who travel for business a lot.
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Can customers claim compensation through the FSCS?
Customers dealing with an unauthorised firm will generally not have FSCS protection, and will generally not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service. Specific circumstances can differ, so affected customers should contact their bank, payment provider and the relevant official bodies.
Is GCC Investing still operating?
The FCA warning page has not been updated since 24 May 2018, but that date does not prove whether the business began, ended or continued operating. Current status is unverified.
What should I do if I paid GCC Investing?
Contact your bank or card provider immediately, ask about recall or dispute options, preserve all evidence and report the matter to the FCA and Action Fraud. Be wary of anyone demanding an upfront fee to recover your money.
The Bottom Line
The FCA warned on 24 May 2018 that GCC Investing was unauthorised and appeared to be targeting UK consumers with regulated activities. It is fair to describe the business as having been marketed online as a forex/CFD broker, but the FCA notice does not itself label it a scam or establish what products it offered. Anyone approached by the firm should avoid sending money, verify firms through the FCA Register and contact their payment provider quickly if funds have already been transferred.
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