AMF Warns Retail Traders Against Cloned News Sites and Deepfake Trading Scams

France's financial markets regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), has raised the alarm over an escalating wave of financial fraud driven by cloned news websites. Criminal networks are expertly mimicking the visual branding and layout of prominent media institutions like Le Monde, Le Figaro, and TF1. These fake portals publish fabricated success stories and fraudulent investment offers to lure unsuspecting retail investors.

A central tactic in this campaign involves the use of advanced deepfake technology and fake endorsements. Scammers fabricate quotes and video content featuring well-known political leaders, celebrities, and business executives. These manipulated media assets falsely claim that public figures endorse automated artificial intelligence trading platforms or exclusive get-rich-quick schemes.

One specific unauthorized entity highlighted by regulators in this wave of impersonation is operating under the name BitKeltTrade. By hiding behind legitimate news aesthetics, these illegal operations manage to bypass initial skepticism from victims who believe they are reading verified journalism. The sophisticated nature of these attacks represents a global epidemic affecting online traders across multiple jurisdictions.

For retail traders and participants in the funded trading community, these developments underline the extreme danger of clicking on unverified social media ads or promotional links promising guaranteed automated returns. Prop firms and reputable brokers rarely rely on celebrity deepfakes or aggressive media impersonation to market their services. Traders must cross-check claims directly through official regulatory registries and verified brand domains.

Regulatory bodies worldwide are struggling to keep pace with the sheer volume of cloned domains and rapidly changing shell entities. While agencies like the AMF continue to issue blacklists and public warnings, scammers frequently shift domains to evade detection. This ongoing cat-and-mouse game places the primary defense burden directly onto the individual trader.

Traders are strongly advised to exercise skepticism when encountering extraordinary profit claims associated with automated trading bots. Verifying the licensing status of any platform with recognized authorities such as the AMF, FCA, or ASIC is essential. Staying informed about these prevalent scam tactics is one of the best ways to protect your trading capital from fraudulent actors.