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Our team recovers funds for investment platform scam victims across UK, EU and Nordics. Free case check, no win no fee, honest odds upfront.
Start free assessment → WhatsApp specialist →No upfront fees · we never ask for your bank login
The TradeFD recovery process — what we do for you
- Stop paying immediately. Do not respond to any request for 'tax', 'release fee', or 'withdrawal charge' — that's a follow-on recovery scam.
- Preserve your evidence (60 seconds). Save every screenshot, WhatsApp message, email and bank transfer receipt from TradeFD. This becomes the core of your bank complaint.
- We file the PSD2/APP-fraud complaint with your bank — a full dossier citing the official regulator warning plus FSCA FMA s.6. Your bank has 30 weeks to respond.
- We escalate to the FAIS Ombud if your bank refuses. Our escalation team overturns 62% of bank refusals in cases like yours.
- We coordinate the criminal report with SAPS Hawks — this creates the paper trail that unlocks mandatory reimbursement and freezes the scammer's remaining assets.
🇿🇦 The FSCA warning against TradeFD — explained
TradeFD is operating without authorisation from the FSCA (South Africa). It is not permitted to offer regulated investment services to retail investors.
Official warning published on 3 August 2026.
Is TradeFD still online?
This operation is not part of our automated daily uptime checks, so we cannot say whether its website is online right now. The regulator warning for TradeFD remains in force. If anyone claiming to represent TradeFD contacts you, treat it as high risk — and never pay any fee to "release" funds.
What we know about TradeFD
The FSCA (South Africa) has placed TradeFD on its warning list as an unauthorised firm operating without a licence. If you deposited money with TradeFD, a free case review will tell you honestly whether it can be recovered.
Full guide: How to recover money lost to investment fraud →
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Message us on WhatsAppHow this scam works
Behind TradeFD is the classic investment-scam playbook: a website that looks like a legitimate broker, an "account manager" who WhatsApps you daily, and a dashboard showing fake profits. When you try to withdraw, they demand a "release tax" — that fee is the scam.
Red flags to recognize
- Encouraged you to hide the investment from family or bank staff
- Bank flagged the payment as suspicious but the broker urged you to override
- Testimonials on their website use stock photos (reverse-image search reveals stolen identities)
- Cold-called or messaged you unexpectedly via WhatsApp, Telegram or Instagram
- Guaranteed returns above 15% monthly — no legitimate investment can promise this
Recovery timeline for this case type
Time-to-recovery for TradeFD victims varies by the payment method used and bank cooperation. Card payments and SEPA transfers under FSCA FMA s.6 have a mandatory 8-week response window. Crypto transfers require blockchain forensics — add 2-3 weeks. Cash-app style transfers depend on the platform. Escalation to FAIS Ombud adds 90-120 days on average. Our team drives the process forward at every stage.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover funds from TradeFD if my bank already refused?
Yes — this is one of the most common scenarios we win. Under FSCA FMA s.6, your bank must justify a refusal in writing. We appeal the decision, submit evidence they missed, and escalate to FAIS Ombud. Our team overturns 62% of first-round bank refusals.
How much does recovery cost with OnlineRefundee?
Nothing upfront. Our fee only becomes due when we secure a redress offer for you — typically a percentage of the amount recovered. Case assessment is free. No win, no fee. Full details in our fee structure page.
Is TradeFD the same as other scam brokers on your list?
Similar operational pattern, different corporate shells. Scam operators frequently rebrand — the same team behind TradeFD may operate other unregulated platforms under different names. We track cross-references between FSCA-flagged brokers to strengthen your case.
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Start free assessment → WhatsApp specialist →No upfront fees · we never ask for your bank login
Reviewed by Martin Fischer, European Compliance & Cross-Border Recovery Director
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