The short answer
Do not judge the legitimacy of an investment by the quality of a video or advertisement. Deepfakes use AI to mimic voices and faces, making them highly convincing. Always verify a provider’s status through the FMA’s official company database. Never click links in social media ads or follow instructions from influencers; instead, perform independent research to ensure you are dealing with a licensed firm.
Modern investment fraud often begins with a compelling video or advertisement on social media. Fraudsters are increasingly using AI to create high-quality 'deepfake' content, which can falsely depict prominent figures or experts endorsing investment products.
It is important to remember that the technical sophistication of an ad has no bearing on the financial legitimacy of the company behind it. Consumers in Austria are urged to look past the media and follow a rigorous verification process.
01The Danger of AI-Generated Content
The FMA warns that fraudsters use AI to generate pictures, videos, and voices, creating highly credible-sounding investment offerings. These materials are designed to gain your trust and bypass your usual critical thinking.
By mimicking legitimate news outlets or financial experts, these deepfake ads are intended to make the investment look like an exclusive opportunity you cannot afford to miss.
- AI-generated videos can accurately mimic faces and voices
- Content may be professionally edited to look like official news
- Deepfakes can deceive even experienced investors
- Ads often leverage the names of public figures without consent
- The quality of the video is not a signal of reliability
Source for this section[1] Austrian FMA: investment fraud in chat groups
02Critical Verification Before Engagement
If you see an investment ad that catches your attention, stop and verify. The most important step is to search for the company name in the FMA Company Database.
Do not trust links embedded in the social media post. These often lead to clone websites designed to look like the pages of real, regulated financial services providers.
- Always search for the company in the FMA Database
- Navigate to websites directly rather than clicking ad links
- Cross-reference the provider with official ESMA alerts
- Treat aggressive social media promotion with skepticism
- Be aware of 'finfluencers' who may be paid to promote scams
Sources for this section[2] Austrian FMA: official company database explanation[3] European Supervisory Authorities: crypto risks and protections
03Identifying Social Media Traps
Social media platforms are frequently used to host these ads. If an ad promises 'significant profits' or high returns with 'no risk,' it is a clear warning signal.
The FMA emphasizes that consumers should be especially careful if a company uses high-pressure tactics or demands immediate payment after you click an ad.
- Look for signs of pressure (e.g., 'limited time' offers)
- Be cautious of platforms that exclude traditional channels
- Report suspicious ads directly to the social media platform
- Verify all claims with independent regulatory resources
- Remember that ads are not evidence of approval
Sources for this section[1] Austrian FMA: investment fraud in chat groups[4] Austria Federal Criminal Police: fraud
04Hypothetical Scenario: Ad Verification
Imagine you encounter an ad on Instagram featuring an interview with a public figure promoting a new crypto platform. The link in the ad leads to a landing page where you are asked to enter your personal details.
Before entering anything, follow this check: Can you find this platform in the FMA Company Database? Does the website URL match the official company domain found through a neutral search? Does the site offer a clear, transparent disclosure of regulatory compliance? If not, do not engage.
- Search for the company name externally (not using ad links)
- Compare the website URL with the FMA database entry
- Look for official contact details and valid registration info
- Do not enter personal info into an unverified site
- Consult the ESMA registry if the provider claims EU authorization
Sources for this section[2] Austrian FMA: official company database explanation[3] European Supervisory Authorities: crypto risks and protections
05Protecting Your Data
Entering your email, phone number, or bank details into a fraudulent site can lead to secondary scams or phishing. If you suspect an ad is fake, do not engage, and do not provide any information.
Instead, report the ad as a scam on the platform it appeared on. Taking this small step helps the platform remove the fraudulent content and protect other users.
- Protect your personal information by not clicking unknown ads
- Report fraudulent ads on the respective social platform
- Clear browser caches after clicking a site you suspect is fraudulent
- Change your passwords if you suspect you shared access details
- Maintain vigilance for follow-up phishing attempts
Sources for this section[1] Austrian FMA: investment fraud in chat groups[4] Austria Federal Criminal Police: fraud
Checklist
- Do not trust investment ads just because they look professional.
- Check the provider against the official FMA Company Database.
- Navigate directly to websites; avoid clicking ad links.
- Report suspicious social media ads to the platform.
- Verify claims of 'exclusive' deals through independent research.
- Never enter personal information into a suspicious landing page.
- Check ESMA lists for any warnings about the provider.
Questions people ask
Are all investment ads on social media checked by authorities?
No. Social media platforms do not independently verify the legitimacy of the financial ads they host. A professional-looking video ad can be a scam.
What if an influencer I follow endorses the investment?
Influencers may be paid to promote services without understanding the underlying risks or legitimacy. Their promotion is not a substitute for regulatory authorization or your own independent due diligence.
How can I tell if a website is a 'clone' of a real company?
Check the URL carefully for slight misspellings or changes. Compare the details on the site against the FMA Company Database to ensure the domain matches the official information provided by the regulator.
Safety boundaries
- No legitimate helper needs your seed phrase, private key, password, one-time code, remote access to your device or a wallet connection.
- Nobody can promise that funds will be recovered. Treat any guarantee, or any fee demanded to release funds, with suspicion.
- Find official contact details yourself, through the regulator, bank or platform website, not through a message or advert you received.
- This guide is general education. It is not legal, financial or tax advice and does not assess your situation.
If you want to organise your facts, the initial claim outline on our homepage collects only a short summary and contact details. It creates no client relationship and promises no outcome. Do not send documents or credentials.
Official sources
- [1]Austrian FMA: investment fraud in chat groups
Checked 4 October 2026 - [2]Austrian FMA: official company database explanation
Checked 4 October 2026 - [3]European Supervisory Authorities: crypto risks and protections
Checked 4 October 2026 - [4]Austria Federal Criminal Police: fraud
Checked 4 October 2026
AI-assisted educational content published by Central Crypto Claim using the official sources listed below. No independent expert review is claimed. This is not legal, financial or tax advice.