Customers of financial institutions can be prone to attempts by fraudsters to obtain personal information. This information can then be used to gain access to an individual’s financial accounts. There are many ways in which you could be contacted such as email, post, social media or cold calls, but the methods used are constantly evolving so it is important that you are aware of the types of fraud people are becoming victim to.
Protect yourself
Be aware
It is important to be aware that a fraudster could contact you, falsely portraying themselves as an employee of a financial institution. They do this in an attempt to extract personal information in order to access your accounts. They have been known to use telephone, email, and even fax.
Fraudsters are constantly looking for new and improved ways to scam a potential victim. They will often claim to be in receipt of a sum of money owed to ‘you’ the client. They will then claim to release this money once you have paid a smaller sum to a pre-determined bank account, or potentially request you to answer a number of security questions. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) suggests that “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”*
The National Crime Agency’s (NCA) tells individuals to Stop, Challenge and Protect:
- Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
- Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
- Protect: Contact your investment manager immediately if you think you’ve been defrauded and report it to Action Fraud. Speak to your bank as soon as possible if you believe you have transferred money to a criminal.
If you are ever in doubt about the authenticity of Jupiter correspondence, we recommend you call us directly on 0800 561 4000 or write to us at Jupiter Customer Services Department, PO Box 10666, Chelmsford, CM99 2BG.
Things to look for
- Being contacted about an investment opportunity that seems out of the ordinary. This could be through cold-calling, or via an email/letter that appears to be from Jupiter but is in fact a falsified document.
- In the case of a fraud, the third party may look to apply pressure in an attempt to make you ‘the client’ feel as though there is no other option but to continue. Be suspicious of bullish behaviour and also the offering of any ‘bonus’ payments for releasing information or making payments.
- Be wary of any offers that seem too good to be true. If you are being offered high returns, in short time frames, with 100% guarantees on investment, this should raise concerns that the offer may not be genuine.
- Fraudsters often ask for money to be sent electronically to a bank account. This is often not in the name of the company they claim to work for but instead a third party. Jupiter would not ask you to send us money electronically to a bank account.
- If you can’t find any contact details on the FCA Register or if the firm claims that the details are out of date, check by calling the consumer helpline on 0800 111 6768.
* Source: Financial Conduct Authority/ https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart/how-avoid-investment-pension-scams
Creating secure passwords to protect accounts can help to protect an individual’s personal data from fraudsters. Ideally, to provide a higher level of protection an individual would have different passwords for different accounts and would refrain from writing these down where they could be accessed easily to gain access to their personal information by another individual.
It is important that an individual keeps their security details safe and to be wary when giving out details over the phone or in response to a letter. If any details are compromised then it is imperative to inform your bank and Jupiter so that we are aware of the situation moving forward.
Common frauds
There are various types of fraud where members of the public are contacted by people claiming to work for Investment Companies like Jupiter. Below are some of the most common:
Boiler room fraud involves the mis-selling of worthless or bogus stocks and shares for the sole purpose of defrauding cash from unwitting investors. Organised criminals run ‘boiler rooms’ with a sales pitch designed to play to an innocent investor’s desire to make a profit. You can read more about this on the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) website by clicking here.
Fraud involving Carbon Credits are very similar to boiler room fraud but instead of trying to sell you stocks and shares they try and convince you to invest in carbon credit or emission reduction schemes. These are highly complex products and in the UK the FCA has published information specifically on this due to the increasing number of frauds involving them. To read the FCA’s guidance on Carbon Credits please click here.
Bogus funds can be set up that share the same or a similar name to genuine funds provided by legitimate companies. Individuals who invest this way following a cold call are not investing in legitimate funds and are likely being defrauded by criminals.
This is where fraudsters will use a genuine investment company’s name and regulator registration number but their own contact information. This means the fraudulent company will appear genuine when you verify them on a regulator’s website. If you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of a company please use the contact information provided on the regulator’s register. In the UK please click here for the FCA’s register of authorised firms.
Jupiter has been notified that members of the public are being contacted by fraudsters claiming to work for price comparison websites selling investment products. These platforms are often fake and the fraudsters are cloning the brands and documentation of legitimate investment management companies. The fraudsters are targeting members of the public through sponsored Google and Facebook links and are collecting personal details from illegitimate call centres.
Jupiter does not use cold calling to contact members of the public and does not use Facebook to promote its business.
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the correspondence you have received, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage.
Fraudulent companies have also been contacting members of the public offering to transfer investments into legitimate funds. Individuals who invest following a cold call from such fraudulent companies are likely to be victims of an investment fraud.
Postal interception is more than just an inconvenience, it is another way members of the public can become victims of fraudsters. It can seriously jeopardise the security around a person’s bank accounts and investments. When criminals intercept post they can use it to obtain confidential information and use this to steal a victim’s identity, take over accounts and potentially steal or transfer funds away from victims.
The UK financial services industry has seen a growing number of non-UK residents becoming the target of postal interception. We have found South African residents are disproportionately affected by this although other countries’ nationals are also vulnerable.
Jupiter has developed and implemented a number of systems and controls to combat fraud and safeguard the interests of customers but it is important customers are also alert to this problem. If any customer is worried about this topic please do not hesitate to contact us.
Members of the public may be likely to receive emails from what seems like a legitimate source and email address. These emails may be a form of malware that attempts to install malicious software onto the recipient’s computer. If you receive this type of email please delete it and immediately run a virus check on your computer. We also advise that if you receive this type of email you report the sender to your ISP and also to Action Fraud, which is the UK’s national fraud and internet crime reporting centre.
Individuals are creating fake social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn using genuine company employee names. Customers are then receiving unsolicited contact from unknown individuals using these employee names and making reference to these fake social media accounts in an attempt to make the contact seem genuine. These fake social media accounts are merely intended to confuse and defraud customers. If you come across social media accounts like this and are unsure about authenticity please contact the relevant company directly.
Fraudsters have been issuing letters to overseas customers asking them to complete a W-8BEN form and fax or sending it over to a fake number or address.
The Form W-8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding) is a legitimate U.S. tax exemption document and while some firms do sometimes issue these forms to customers for genuine reasons, these particular W-8BEN forms are not authentic.
The intention of the fraudsters is to acquire your personal details, such as mother’s maiden name, passport number, account details, PIN numbers, passcodes and debit card security numbers in order to commit fraud. The legitimate IRS Form W-8BEN does not ask for any of this information.
A genuine Form W-8BEN can be found here.
The fraudsters use various angles to get you to complete the fake form and may claim that, for example:
- Anti-money laundering regulations require a review of your client information and ask you to complete the form.
- You are exempt from tax reporting and withholdings on income including interest paid to you, therefore, to protect your exemption from tax please complete the attached form.
Therefore, if you receive a W8-BEN form by unsolicited email, fax or post, please do not reply to it and contact the relevant firm that it has supposedly been sent from immediately to enquire about its authenticity.
Legitimate companies can be subject to having their brand and name used in recruitment scams. Individuals are being contacted via email, by a person alleging to be a member of a company’s HR team, regarding career opportunities at the relevant company. These operate using a number of stages:
- You receive an email inviting you for an interview (online using Google Hangout or via text).
- You are requested to provide personal details.
- You are given an employment offer/letter.
- You are asked to perform initial online training.
- You are asked to purchase equipment using funds that they send to you via cheque/transfer.
Please be advised that these emails or job opportunities may not be genuine and if concerned with the authenticity of the opportunity then it is best to contact the relevant company.
You can read more about recruitment scams on the Action Fraud website.
Jupiter and Merian alerts
Below is a list of scams and fraudulent third parties which are known to have targeted Jupiter and Merian. The inclusion of Merian Global Investors Ltd comes after Jupiter’s acquisition of the firm in July 2020.
We have been made aware that the Jupiter name is being used to add legitimacy to fraudulent activity. In this particular case, fraudsters are contacting members of the public using WhatsApp and are claiming to be employees of JAMBIN, JAMBI Global Investment Education Pvt Ltd and Jupiter Asset School. In addition, the fraudsters claim to be collaborating with a company called Jupiter Research Institute.
To add legitimacy, the fraudsters are claiming that JAMBIN, JAMBI Global Investment Education Pvt Ltd and Jupiter Asset School are affiliated with the Jupiter Group and have cloned Jupiter’s legitimate brand and website in order to facilitate the scheme. We have also been made aware of numerous articles that relate to the companies listed above which reference Jupiter Asset Management. These articles are not genuine, and we believe that these are part of the scam.
The cloned websites show an application that can be downloaded in order to assist users by providing them with the latest information on market trends. The application also allows users to create personalised watchlists to track product trends to assist with their investment decisions. In addition to cloning websites and to add legitimacy, the fraudsters have also created online platforms where members of the public can log in and make investments. Individuals are often asked to complete an application form to make the investment and this form includes the legitimate Jupiter brand logo. This is not a service that is provided by the legitimate Jupiter Group. In some instances, the contact us page on the fraudulent websites, take users to the legitimate Jupiter ‘contact us’ page.
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the documents you have received or believe you have been contacted by these fraudulent individuals, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage.
We have been made aware of a recently launched cryptocurrency token called ‘Jupiter’ which is a decentralised exchange (DEX) aggregator running on the Solana blockchain . The ‘Jupiter’ exchange offers users a platform to conduct decentralised financial transactions (DEFI) by connecting them with multiple decentralised exchanges they have partnered with. This exchange aims to offer users a one-stop destination that lets users get the “best price” and liquidity for their token swaps, limit orders and wider trading activities.
Its native token is called JUP and was launched in January 2024. As a governance token, JUP allows its community members to vote, approve, and sanction changes and initiatives on their exchange platform.
Whilst this is a bona fide decentralised exchange aggregator on the Solana blockchain and the JUP token is legitimate and available to buy, we would like to express that this decentralised exchange, nor the JUP token, are in no way affiliated to the Jupiter Group.
The Jupiter Group’s nature of business is asset management, and we do not currently invest in cryptocurrencies or engage with any centralised or decentralised cryptocurrency exchanges or platforms, nor do we offer any cryptocurrency tokens.
If you have received any correspondence in relation to this exchange and token and are unsure of the legitimacy of such correspondence, please contact us directly using the details provided on this webpage.
Jupiter has been made aware of fraudsters claiming to work for a company called Jupiter Limited and have been contacting members of the public regarding investments in cryptocurrency. These fraudsters have claimed that Jupiter Limited is a Consulting Agency which can assist with the recovery of digital assets (e.g. cryptocurrency) that were transferred to a cryptocurrency platform (e.g. Paybit). As part of the recovery of digital assets, Jupiter Limited has also stated that it can convert these assets to local currency, charging a conversion fee to do so. Once this fee is paid, these fraudsters are uncontactable.
To add legitimacy to this scheme, fraudsters are sending members of the public Recovery Agreements, asking for these to be signed and returned in order to start the recovery process. In addition, Jupiter Limited is also claiming to be affiliated with Jupiter Asset Management Limited and is using legitimate details such as the Companies House number and UK registered office address to add legitimacy. Jupiter Asset Management Limited does not engage in business with cryptocurrency providers or platforms and is not affiliated with Jupiter Limited. The website used by the fraudsters is www.jupiterlimited.co.uk.
The main methods of communication used by the fraudsters are WhatsApp and email, however, the legitimate Jupiter Asset Management does not cold call the public and does not communicate using WhatsApp.
A ’cloned firm’ alert has been added onto the Jupiter Asset Management Limited (FRN 141274) FCA page by the FCA. Jupiter Asset Management Limited (fca.org.uk)
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the documents you have received or believe you have been contacted by these fraudulent individuals, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage.
RIGHTS AND ISSUES INVESTMENT TRUST PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
Jupiter Unit Trust Managers Limited (122488) is the investment manager and AIFM for the Rights And Issues Investment Trust PLC and we have been made aware of a scam website (https://rightsandissuestrustplc.com).
The website has been set up claiming to be associated with the genuine Rights and Issues Investment Trust PLC. To add legitimacy to this scam, the website displays the correct Companies House reference number (00736898) and the correct registered office address (Hamilton Centre Rodney Way, Chelmsford, CM1 1BY) for the Rights and Issues Investment Trust PLC . However, the telephone number and contact email details on the scam website are incorrect. The legitimate webpage for the Rights and Issues Investment Trust PLC is www.jupiteram.com/uk/en/individual/rights-and-issues-investment-trust-plc/.
If you believe you have been contacted by individuals affiliated with this website, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage.
Jupiter have been made aware of a scam whereby the Jupiter name is being used to add legitimacy to what we believe is fraudulent activity. In this case, To Ark (toark.com) a cryptocurrency platform is claiming to be affiliated with Jupiter Fund Management on various social media platforms. Whilst the To Ark website does not directly state that there is affiliation with Jupiter Fund Management, the Facebook and Twitter accounts both have posts that state To Ark “belongs to Jupiter Fund Management”. Jupiter does not engage in business with cryptocurrency providers or platforms and is not affiliated with To Ark.
If you believe you have been contacted by individuals affiliated with To Ark, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this page.
We have been made aware that fraudsters are hiring trucks to transport goods and invoicing these trucking and haulage companies using the Jupiter Asset Management Limited and Jupiter Asset Management Group Limited names. In order to add legitimacy to this scheme, fraudsters are using the legitimate details of Jupiter’s UK registered office alongside a false VAT number on the invoices.
Jupiter has been made aware that members of the public are being contacted by individuals claiming to be associated with Jupiter on Instagram. The individual(s) behind these Instagram accounts are claiming to be associated with Jupiter Asset Management and are asking members of the public to invest a small amount of money in order to make a guaranteed additional income. In order to seem legitimate, the posts on the Instagram accounts contain the Jupiter Asset Management brand logo as well as the Financial Conduct Authority’s and Financial Services Compensation Scheme’s brand logos. To add to the legitimacy, fraudsters are using the names of legitimate Jupiter employees, namely fund managers to further their schemes.
Jupiter Asset Management does not use social media platforms, including Instagram and/or WhatsApp, to contact members of the public and require an application to be submitted before investing in one of its products.
If you have been a victim or are unsure about the legitimacy of any correspondence that you have received from Jupiter, please contact us directly using the email address below.
We have been made aware that fraudsters are claiming to be affiliated with Jupiter Asset Management through a trading platform called Jupiter Holdings. The Jupiter Holdings websites (www.jupiterholdings.co.uk and www.jupiterholdings.net) show an investment platform whereby members of the public can register for a trading account and deposit a sum of money ready for investment. However, when trying to withdraw the money from the trading account, individuals are not able to. Fraudsters are also requesting ID documents be uploaded to the trading account for KYC and Anti-money laundering verification purposes which could potentially be used for identity theft. In order to add legitimacy to this scheme, the address and CHE number used by the fraudsters on the Jupiter Holdings websites are the genuine details of Jupiter Asset Management (Switzerland) AG.
A third website (www.jupiterholdingsltd.com) has also been identified as being affiliated with this scam. The difference between this website and the two previous websites is that fraudsters are using the legitimate details of Jupiter’s UK registered address rather than Jupiter Asset Management (Switzerland) AG as contact information. To add legitimacy, the fraudsters are also using the genuine names of senior management as being employees of Jupiter Holdings Limited.
Jupiter Asset Management is not affiliated with Jupiter Holdings and does not engage with these types of third party providers or platforms. Jupiter also does not offer direct investment into securities such as exchange traded funds (ETF’s), but instead manages these assets as part of a portfolio which is then offered to investors in the form of a genuine regulated fund. If you are unsure about the products that Jupiter offers, please visit the ‘Our Products’ section on our website or contact us.
If you have been a victim or are unsure about the legitimacy of any correspondence that you have received from Jupiter, please contact us directly using the email address below.
We have been made aware that fraudulent individuals are using a platform called Jubiter with regards to the selling of cryptocurrency. Individuals are claiming that they invest in cryptocurrencies by pretending to work for Jubiter directly or on behalf of Jubiter through a third party. These fraudulent individuals can often ask the public to create an account on a legitimate cryptocurrency platform’s website and often help with the initial registration. Once the account has been registered the individuals then state that they will call back in due course to confirm that everything is set up, however these individuals do not call back and are uncontactable one they have received the monies.
Individuals may also be told that their initial investment has now increased in values and in order to make a redemption they will need to pay another, often large sum of money in order for the investment to be released. However, once these monies have been received, the fraudsters are uncontactable. These fraudulent individuals have been contacting the public using various methods of communication, including cold calls and email.
Jupiter does not have any affiliation with Jubiter and does not engage in business with cryptocurrency providers or platforms. Furthermore, Jupiter does not cold call the public and does not ask for additional payments to be made in order for an individual to redeem their investment.
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the documents you have received, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage.
We have been notified that fraudulent individuals are claiming to work for multinational corporations, with the aim of buying shares from shareholders of Jupiter’s Investment Trust range.
These fraudulent individuals are contacting Shareholders out of the blue and are asking them to sell their shares for a higher share price than that of the current market price. Shareholders are being sent documents (e.g. offering documents and Non-Disclosure Agreements) to complete with their personal details and return within a specific time frame. The fraudulent individuals often pressure Shareholders, using various methods of communication, to go through with the sale and return the documents.
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the documents you have received, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage, or, contact the Registrars (Link Asset Services) by phone:
UK – 0871 664 0300
Overseas – +44 (0) 371 664 0300
Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate.
Opening hours 09:00 – 17:30, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales.
We have been made aware that fraudulent individuals are impersonating Jupiter with regards to the selling of cryptocurrency. Individuals are claiming that they invest in cryptocurrencies by pretending to work for Jupiter directly or on behalf of Jupiter through a cryptocurrency platform. These fraudulent individuals can often ask the public to create an account on a legitimate cryptocurrency platform’s website and often help with the initial registration. Once the account has been registered the individuals then state that they will call back in due course to confirm that everything is set up, however these individuals do not call back and are uncontactable one they have received the monies. These individuals have been contacting the public using various methods of communication, including social media and Whatsapp.
Please note that Jupiter Asset Management does not currently invest in cryptocurrencies and does not directly engage with cryptocurrency platforms. Furthermore, Jupiter does not cold call the public and does not communicate through social media or Whatsapp.
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the documents you have received, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage.
Below is a list of scams which are known to have targeted Jupiter in the past.
JAMBIN
We have been made aware of several scams which are currently targeting members of the public. One is regarding several companies named JAMBIN, JAMBI Global Investment Education Pvt Ltd, Jupiter Research Institute and Jupiter Asset School which all claim to be affiliated to the Jupiter Group. The second is regarding a company called Jupiter Limited which claims to be affiliated to the Jupiter Asset Management Limited.
We have been made aware that the Jupiter name is being used to add legitimacy to fraudulent activity. In this particular case, fraudsters are claiming that JAMBIN is affiliated with the Jupiter Group and have cloned Jupiter’s legitimate brand and website in order to facilitate the scheme. The cloned websites show an application that can be downloaded in order to assist users by providing them with the latest information on market trends and. The application also allows users to create personalised watchlists to track product trends to assist with their investment decisions. This is not a service that is provided by the legitimate Jupiter Group.
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the documents you have received or believe you have been contacted by these fraudulent individuals, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage.
Impersonation of Jupiter – 11 August 2017
We have become aware that members of the public have been cold called by fraudsters claiming to work for Jupiter. Targets are initially receiving phone calls informing them that “Jupiter” is holding sums of money for them from previous investments held with other companies that have either folded or been de-regulated. The victims are then asked to pay a fee to have the funds released to them. To add an air of legitimacy to these claims, targets are then receiving follow up letters which appear to be from a genuine Jupiter Director.
We would like to make it clear that these individuals are in no way connected to Jupiter and we do not make cold calls in this way.
Anyone who parts with monies is likely to become the victim of an investment fraud. We therefore strongly encourage any persons targeted like this to report their experience to the FCA and Action Fraud using the links below.
Satis Asset Management
Fraudulent individuals are portraying themselves as employees of Satis Asset Management, approaching the public to sell financial products such as carbon credits. Amongst the information given, the public are being told that these products are guaranteed by Jupiter Asset Management.
Jupiter Asset Management does not validate or guarantee products for other third parties.
Swiss Privilege
Fraudsters have been impersonating employees from ‘Swiss Privilege Hong Kong’, a subsidiary of AXA.
The fraudster claims to be selling Jupiter funds and asks for a sum of money to be sent to a holding account in exchange for the funds. Once the monies have been received in the account, the fraudster is no longer contactable, and the victim does not receive the promised funds.
The fraudster claims to be selling Jupiter funds and asks for a sum of money to be sent to a holding account in exchange for the funds or requests an additional sum of money in order to make a redemption regarding their investment in a Jupiter fund. Once the monies have been received, the fraudster is no longer contactable, and the victim does not receive the promised funds.
Jupiter does not ask for additional payments to be made in order for an individual to redeem their investment.
Jupiter Investment
Jupiter Investment set up a website that claimed to have Jupiter Asset Management executives as part of their main board.
Jupiter Wealth Management Ltd and Jupiter Financial Management Ltd
Jupiter Wealth Management Ltd and Jupiter Financial Management Ltd were marketing their services under our FCA registration numbers (FRN 141274 and FRN 122488).
Jupiter Capital Limited
Jupiter Capital Limited was not authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) to carry on a regulated activity in the UK.
Jupiter Capital Research
Jupiter Capital Research created a fake Jupiter website as part of a boiler room operation.
Jupiter P Morgan
Jupiter P Morgan created a fake Jupiter website as part of a carbon credit / emissions reduction scheme.
Manhattan Sky, Empire Global and Lonestar Regal Capital Group LLC
Manhattan Sky, Empire Global and Lonestar Regal Capital Group LLC were all US firms operating carbon credit schemes and claiming that they were linked with the Jupiter Group.
JAM / JAML / UK Jupiter/ JUP Inc / JUP AML
JAM / JAML / UK Jupiter / JUP Inc / JUP AML: were Asian websites were set up under Jupiter’s FCA registration number.
Prudential Global
Prudential Global was contacting members of the public and offering to transfer investments into the Jupiter UK Special Situations Fund. Although the Jupiter UK Special Situations Fund is a genuine Jupiter fund, individuals who invest following a cold call from Prudential Global are likely to be victims of an investment fraud.
These risks are more predominant for our UK audience. If you would like any further information please contact mlro@jupiteram.com
Sanford Capital Group/ Steele Capital Consultancy LLC
We have been informed that fraudulent individuals claiming to be employed by a US based companies called Sanford Capital Group/ Sanford Capital and Steele Capital Consultancy LLC are contacting members of the public regarding Jupiter products. These individuals are offering to buy investments directly from the investor for a higher price than that of the current market price and are requesting that a Non-Disclosure Agreement is signed and returned to them. We have also been notified that these fraudulent individuals are pressuring investors, using various methods of communication, to buy and sell Jupiter products.
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the correspondence you have received, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage.
FX Jupiter
FX Jupiter was based in China and offered forex trading services. It claimed to be linked to Jupiter operating under our FCA registration numbers (FRN 122488 and FRN 141274). FX Jupiter also provided UK and Hong Kong contact details which were not genuine and their website address was www.fxjupiter.com/zh-cn/. This website has now been removed.
We are aware that a domain called merianinvest.com has been set up without our authorisation. The website is not connected to Merian Global Investors and we are working with the relevant authorities in getting this removed.
Merianinvest.com
Please note that our official website is www.merian.com
If you think you have lost money as a result of fraud, please report this to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online via www.actionfraud.police.uk
Investment Bonds
Fraud alert
We have been made aware that members of the public are being contacted by individuals claiming to work for Jupiter after searching the internet for investment advice. These fraudsters are offering advice and suggesting to members of the public that they invest in bonds. Individuals are charged a fee to set up the account and then asked to pay this along with the money for the investment bonds into a third party bank account. On receipt of the money, the fraudsters are sending confirmation letters, allegedly signed by a Jupiter Director, to individuals by email. These letters show a copied Jupiter logo and the details provided by the fraudsters are a mixture of legitimate Jupiter contact details and details of the fraudsters. The fraudsters are communicating with the public by telephone and email in a professional and polite manner and appear to be genuine.
Cloning Jupiter’s brand, details and employees in this way are all common themes used by fraudsters to make their schemes seem legitimate. We would therefore like to make it clear that these individuals are in no way connected to Jupiter. We do not offer investment advice to the public and we do not make cold calls. We would not ask for a separate account set up fee or for payments to made to a third party. Jupiter also does not offer direct investment into securities such as bonds, but instead manages these assets as part of a portfolio which is then offered to investors in the form of a genuine regulated fund. If you are unsure about the products that Jupiter offers, please visit the ‘Our Products’ section on our website or contact us.
If you have been a victim or are unsure about the legitimacy of any correspondence that you have received from Jupiter, please contact us directly using the email address below.
mlro@jupiteram.com
Jupiter Investment Trusts
We have been notified that fraudulent individuals are claiming to work for multinational corporations, with the aim of buying shares from shareholders of Jupiter’s Investment Trust range.
These fraudulent individuals are contacting Shareholders out of the blue and are asking them to sell their shares for a higher share price than that of the current market price. Shareholders are being sent documents (e.g. offering documents and Non-Disclosure Agreements) to complete with their personal details and return within a specific time frame. The fraudulent individuals often pressure Shareholders, using various methods of communication, to go through with the sale and return the documents.
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the documents you have received, please contact Jupiter directly using the details provided on this webpage, or, contact the Registrars (Link Asset Services) by phone:
UK – 0871 664 0300
Overseas – +44 (0) 371 664 0300
Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate.
Opening hours 09:00 – 17:30, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales.
These risks are more predominant for our UK audience. If you would like any further information please contact mlro@jupiteram.com
What you can do
If you believe that you have been contacted by a fraudulent third party, we encourage that you ignore any further communication from them. If you have provided the fraudulent party with personal details and/or sent monies to them we suggest you:
- Contact your bank immediately to either stop the transaction or investigate if these funds can be reimbursed.
- Report this to your local police.
- Report this to Action Fraud either online or by calling 0300 123 2040.
- Report this to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) either online or by calling 0800 111 6768.
- Alert any other financial institutions where you hold accounts, including your financial advisor.
- If your ID (e.g. driving license and passport) have been compromised, we recommend you seek advice from the DVLA and Passport Office.
- Provide us with the criminal reference number given to you by the police for this case along with as much information as possible on the fraudulent third party.
If you have lost money as a result of bank transfer fraud and your bank is signed up to the Voluntary Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code then the following article (Reimbursement for authorised push payment fraud (which.co.uk)) may be helpful for you in trying to recover your money.
For individuals based outside of the UK, if you have any information that you believe could help protect others, please contact us at mlro@jupiteram.com.