The Vantage Group is a global, multi-asset broker headquartered in Sydney, Australia, d/b/a Vantage and, until Q2 2022, also as VT Markets. The group runs several offshore entities to circumvent regulations in EEA and other regulatory regimes. Until a few months ago, Moneta Markets was also part of the Vantage Group but left it. Here is another update. Until Q2 2022, VT Markets was officially a Vantage Group brand. Now VT Markets operates without direct reference to Vantage. Here is an update.
In September 2020, Israeli Gal Barak was sentenced to four years in prison for investment fraud and money laundering by a court in Vienna. He was released on parole in 2021 and has since founded the Vantage fund in Israel, which aims to finance convicted cybercriminals and their startups. However, German prosecutors also charged Barak as a principal of the cybercrime organization E&G Bulgaria. The case is currently before the European Court of Justice.
In many cases like Moneta Markets or IC Markets, the brokers have regulated companies in the EU, UK, or Australia but use their offshore vehicles to circumvent the regulations systematically. Those working with offshore brokers are not eligible for investor compensation schemes in ESMA member states. Their money is not protected!
As reported already, Vantage Group operates various brands and domains through legal entities in different regulatory regimes. The offshore entities are Vantage Global Limited, regulated by the VFSC in Vanuatu, which operates the Moneta Markets and Vantage brands. Vantage International Group Limited, regulated in the Cayman Islands by CIMA, operates the offshore mutation of VT Markets. Both VT Markets and Moneta Markets are subject to warnings from European regulators. They solicit consumers in the EU without authorization and without proper onboarding.
A few days ago, we published a comprehensive account of the offshore broker activities of the FCA- and ASIC-regulated Vantage Group. The group's offshore brands include Moneta Markets, Vantage, and VT Markets. They operate without authorization in the UK and EU. On the other hand, Vantage Capital FX does not belong to this group. The operator is UK-registered Vantage Capital Ltd. The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has already issu
Vantage (previously VantageFX) is an offshore broker of the Vantage Group besides VT Markets and Moneta Markets. Since the beginning of 2022, Vantage uses new domains and logos. Vantage Group operates with regulated entities in the UK and Australia. The offshore activities are operated via Vantage Global Limited, Vanuatu, and Vantage International Group Ltd, Cayman Islands, with whom clients enter into an agreement. These offshore brokers are also active in Europe, soliciting clients and their funds.
FinTelegram has reported several times on Moneta Markets, an offshore broker regulated by the VFSC. The broker is operated by Vantage Global Limited, part of the Vantage Group. Currently, Moneta Markets is attacking German-speaking consumers and asking them to make deposits. Contrary to Moneta Markets' statements, the broker solicits clients in Germany and the EU without proper authorization. The Italian Consob has already issued an investor warning.