Top Investment Scams Australians Report
Forex, Crypto & Trading Platforms Linked to Heavy Losses on ProductReview
Australians lose millions every year to online forex, crypto, and investment trading platforms that promise profits but later block withdrawals or disappear entirely.
This page documents investment platforms repeatedly reported on ProductReview.com.au where users describe serious financial losses, deceptive practices, and an inability to recover funds. It is designed as a single authoritative reference, so that anyone searching for a specific platform name can find it mentioned within a wider, documented pattern of investor harm.
This article is based on consumer-reported experiences published on ProductReview. Inclusion reflects recurring loss patterns and withdrawal complaints reported by multiple users.
Why this list matters
Most scam or high-risk investment platforms are not exposed by one complaint alone. What reveals the truth is pattern repetition:
- Different users
- Different locations
- Same outcome
ProductReview allows victims to publicly document what happened. When the same structure appears again and again, it becomes a reliable warning signal.
The most common pattern reported by victims
Across the ProductReview listings covered below, reviewers describe nearly identical experiences:
- A small initial deposit is encouraged
- Users are shown “profits” on a trading dashboard
- Pressure is applied to increase capital
- Withdrawal requests are delayed or ignored
- New conditions or fees are introduced
- Communication slows or stops
- Access to funds is lost
Many reviewers explicitly state losses ranging from thousands to six-figure amounts.
High-loss investment platforms reported on ProductReview
500Investments
One of the most severe listings on ProductReview.
Multiple reviewers describe losing very large sums, including claims of $50,000+ and over $150,000 AUD.
Several users state that once withdrawals were requested, contact stopped and accounts became inaccessible.
Cryptrader / Cryptrader.io
Frequently described as a scam by reviewers.
Users report being pressured to upgrade accounts and deposit more funds, only to find withdrawals were never processed.
Reviews consistently warn others not to deposit any money.
Super1 Investments
Reported by multiple users as misleading and deceptive.
Reviewers state funds were deposited, trading activity appeared on dashboards, but withdrawals were blocked.
Several users describe losing significant amounts and being unable to reach support afterward.
The Wall Street Exchange
Marked on ProductReview as no longer operating/trading.
User Q&A entries describe losses around $60,000+, with reviewers explaining how small withdrawals were used to build trust before funds became locked.
Richmond Super
Another ProductReview listing marked no longer operating/trading.
Reviewers describe retirement savings losses, blocked access to funds, and total platform shutdown.
Tradesafer
Listed as no longer operating/trading.
Reviews allege deceptive behaviour and complete loss of invested funds.
Platforms where withdrawals were blocked or platforms disappeared
LumineTrade
Users report the website disappearing after withdrawal requests.
Several reviewers describe being unable to log in again or contact the platform.
Affluent Trade
Reviewers state they were encouraged to increase deposits, including switching to crypto payments, after which funds became unrecoverable.
GT365
Users report being locked out of accounts and blocked on messaging apps once withdrawals were requested.
Additional investment platforms with strong scam-style complaints
The following platforms appear on ProductReview with very low ratings and recurring warnings from users:
- SydneyFX
- MelbourneFX
- FX Leader
- FXI Brokers
- ProClubTeam
- IBC Exchange
While individual losses vary, reviewers consistently report pressure tactics, poor transparency, and difficulty or inability withdrawing funds.
Why many of these platforms later disappear
A recurring theme on ProductReview is platforms later marked as:
- “No longer operating”
- “Business closed”
- “Website unavailable”
This typically occurs after users report losses, reinforcing the warning value of early reviews.
If you lost money on any platform listed here
Based on repeated ProductReview experiences:
- Do not pay additional “release”, “tax”, or “verification” fees
- Stop all further deposits immediately
- Preserve transaction records, screenshots, and communication
- Write a clear timeline of what occurred
Victims consistently report that sending more money never unlocks withdrawals.
Final warning to investors
If an investment, forex, or crypto trading platform:
- Has overwhelmingly negative ProductReview feedback
- Shows repeated withdrawal complaints
- Has users reporting large financial losses
- Later disappears or stops responding
It should be treated as high risk.