Overview
Many affected people come across an alleged online broker through advertisements, social networks or an unexpected call. The website appears professional, the customer account shows profits after a short time, and a personal “account manager” contacts you regularly. It often starts with a small amount, which is gradually followed by larger deposits.
The problem usually only becomes apparent when money is to be paid out: the payout is delayed, fees, taxes or an “activation” are required, or contact breaks off completely. In many of these cases, actual trading never took place - the account balances and profits shown were merely simulated. Such providers often do not have the permission required for financial services in Germany.
Those responsible are often based abroad and appear under different names. Enforcing claims directly against them is therefore often difficult. A legal review can still make sense because, in addition to the operators, other parties come into consideration - such as payment service providers or the holders of the recipient accounts. Whether and against whom claims exist depends on the individual case.
Immediate steps
These steps make sense in most cases – regardless of whether you instruct us.
Do not transfer any more money – not even for supposed fees, taxes or account activations. In these situations, such demands regularly serve only to obtain further payments.
Describe the facts to your bank or credit card institution promptly and ask about recalling the transfer or disputing the card payment. Whether this succeeds depends, among other things, on the timing and the payment method.
Save screenshots of the customer account, chat histories, emails and payment receipts. Websites and customer accounts of such providers are frequently shut down without notice.
If a remote maintenance programme was installed, uninstall it and then change the passwords for online banking and email accounts. If in doubt, have the device checked by an expert.
A report can be filed at any police station or via the online police portal of your federal state. The case reference number can be helpful for further communication with banks and for later inspection of the files.
Unsure what to do first in your case?
Legal assessment
Anyone conducting banking business or providing financial and investment services in Germany generally requires a licence under the German Banking Act (KWG) or the German Investment Firms Act (WpIG). We examine whether such a licence existed and what consequences its absence may have for possible claims for damages.
In the case of deception about the trading or the willingness to pay out, claims for damages under Section 823(2) of the German Civil Code (BGB) in conjunction with Section 263 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) and under Section 826 BGB may be available. The decisive factors are whether those responsible can be identified and whether access to assets appears realistic.
We examine whether payments were executed without your authorisation or whether an institution involved breached warning and due-diligence duties in the individual case. For card payments, a chargeback procedure under the card provider's rules may also come into consideration.
The money often does not flow to the supposed broker itself but to third-party accounts. Depending on the individual case, claims for unjust enrichment or in tort may exist against these account holders.
As a victim, you can apply through a lawyer for access to the investigation file. This may reveal information about account holders, payment channels or secured assets that is relevant for civil law steps.
Who may be liable
The individuals and companies behind the platform may be liable. In practice, however, they often cannot be identified or are based in countries where claims are difficult to enforce.
Your own bank, the recipient bank or an intermediary payment service provider may be liable in individual cases, for example for unauthorised payments or where specific grounds for suspicion went unheeded. Liability is not automatic and requires careful examination.
Individuals or companies who made their accounts available for forwarding the funds are frequently identifiable and sometimes based in Germany. Claims for repayment or damages against them may come into consideration.
Anyone who deliberately steered or recruited investors to the platform may also be liable, depending on their role and knowledge. This requires that their involvement can be specifically proven.
Whether and against whom claims actually exist depends on the individual case and can only be assessed after reviewing the documents.
Preserve evidence
Do not delete anything – not even out of anger or shame. Your account of events is enough for the initial enquiry; documents can be submitted later.
Our approach
Using the form, you describe to us in a few minutes what happened. You can submit documents later.
We review your details, classify the facts and examine against whom claims may be available.
You receive an honest assessment of prospects, risks and costs – and decide for yourself whether to instruct us.
We implement the agreed strategy: towards banks, payment service providers and other parties involved, and in court if necessary.
FAQ
General guidance – it does not replace advice on your individual case.
There is no general answer to this; it depends on the individual case – for example on the payment method, the time elapsed and which parties involved can be identified. No one can seriously give a guarantee. We examine which claims may be available and assess the prospects openly.
The initial assessment of your enquiry is free of charge for you. Should further work appear sensible, we inform you transparently in advance about the associated costs. Only then do you decide whether you wish to instruct us.
BaFin maintains a publicly accessible company database and publishes warnings about providers operating without a licence. Providers from other EU member states may also be licensed by the supervisory authority there. If there is no indication of a licence at all, that is a clear warning sign.
Taxes on investment income are not transferred to a broker in advance, and reputable providers usually offset fees against the existing balance. A demand for an advance payment is a typical warning sign. We advise having the facts reviewed before making any further payment.
As a rule, yes. Even though investigations against perpetrators abroad are often difficult, the proceedings can yield information about account holders and payment channels. The report also documents the facts towards banks and other bodies.
Knowledge centre
Platforms
· Manfred Kühn
The Austrian FMA has warned about Immediate Edge, BaFin lists nine other “Immediate” websites in a warning. What the authorities have published, what that means and what steps those affected should consider now.
Platforms
· Manfred Kühn
On August 21, 2026, the FMA warned against offers from capital equity markets. The provider stated locations in London, Berlin and Vienna. What the authority has published and what steps those affected should check now.
Platforms
· Manfred Kühn
On August 25, 2026, the FMA warned against offers from primary markets (primary-markets.com). The provider named locations in all three DACH countries. What is proven is what this means for investors in Germany and what steps those affected should consider.
Case review
We will assess which claims may be available and which next steps may make sense.
Your details are treated in confidence. An enquiry does not yet establish a client relationship.
By telephone, by email or via the case review – in confidence and initially without obligation.