Cryptocurrency brokers Hekamenltd and Tosal Markets Limited appear to be engaged in fraud against California consumers

The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has received a complaint from a California resident regarding a crypto investment.

California resident was using the mobile app trading platform Meta Trader 5 to interact with a broker, Hekamenltd.com, which then changed its name to Tosal Markets Limited. This company was the subject of a Consumer Alert in the State of Washington after a Washington resident lost $60,000 on the site after being directed there by a stranger they met online on a dating app. The company operated the websites at https://TosalFX.com.

This appears to be what is commonly called an “Advance Fee scheme,” which can take many forms, as discussed here:  https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/advance-fee-schemes. This company also appears to be involved in what’s known as a Romance Scam, which is described here: https://dfpi.ca.gov/2022/05/20/romance-scams-and-crypto-assets-fact-or-fraud/

The DFPI urges consumers to exercise extreme caution before responding to any solicitation offering investment or financial services.  To check whether an investment or financial service provider is licensed in California, consumers may contact the Department for questions or inquiries at ask.dfpi@dfpi.ca.gov or call toll-free at (866) 275-2677.  If a consumer believes a person or company has violated state law or acted improperly regarding a consumer financial product or service, they may file a formal complaint with the DFPI at https://dfpi.ca.gov/file-a-complaint/.