Central Bank of Ireland Flags Multiple Unauthorised Firms Using Identity Cloning and Misleading Online Promotions

The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) has issued a series of warnings concerning unauthorised entities that are targeting consumers by impersonating legitimate companies or presenting themselves as regulated providers of financial, mortgage, or crypto-asset services. These cases reflect a broader pattern of online investment and financial fraud in which bad actors exploit trusted brand names, public records, and digital advertising to gain credibility.

According to the regulator, the entities involved are not authorised to operate in Ireland and have no connection to the legitimate firms whose names or details they are using. In several instances, the operators have cloned the identity of Central Bank-authorised or Irish-registered companies, including company names, email formats, phone numbers, and corporate registration information, in order to deceive consumers into believing they are dealing with a regulated firm.

The Central Bank has also highlighted the use of online advertisements and websites that falsely suggest endorsements or associations with public figures, as well as unsolicited contact through email or other digital channels. Such tactics are commonly used to pressure consumers into engaging with unlicensed firms and transferring funds without the protections afforded under Irish financial regulation.

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Any firm offering investment services, mortgage credit intermediary activities, or crypto-asset services must hold the appropriate authorisation. Consumers who engage with unauthorised entities face heightened risks, including the potential loss of funds and the absence of regulatory safeguards or dispute resolution mechanisms.

The following firms and websites have been identified by the Central Bank as unauthorised or fraudulent: