This article was first published by Financial Services and Markets Authority  During the past few weeks, the FSMA continued to receive complaints from consumers concerning new fraudulent online trading platforms that are operating in the Belgian market. These trading platforms try to arouse consumers’ curiosity by placing scam ads on social media or online video platforms. In these fake ads, a (well-known) person often explains how to get rich quickly. Trading platforms also sometimes use mobile applications to lure victims. These fake ads or mobile applications often offer virtual currency, trading software, or a training course. After clicking on the ad or downloading the mobile app and having given their contact details, the victims are usually swiftly called by fraudsters presenting a concrete investment proposal (in shares, alternative investment products, virtual currencies, etc.). Other trading platforms contact consumers through dating apps and fake social media accounts. The FSMA notes that several fraudulent trading platforms offer a so-called 'affiliate program' to consumers. These programs exhibit signs of a pyramid scheme. These platforms act very aggressively. Scammers even try to persuade the victims to allow them to take control of their computers remotely in order to make certain money transfers. The fraudsters also try to convince the victims to invest increasingly higher amounts of money. They also make promises of repayment in exchange for one last money transfer. This is a technique to collect even more money from their victims. Victims who agree to do so complain in particular about: