FMA Warns Romance Scam Victims Being Directed to Fake Online Banks
New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has issued a warning about a romance scam that is leading victims to fraudulent online banking platforms controlled by scammers.
According to the FMA, the scheme typically begins on dating apps or social media platforms, where scammers pose as potential romantic partners. They spend weeks, months, or even years building trust and emotional dependence. Many claim to be working overseas in remote locations such as oil rigs or military bases, using this as an excuse for why they cannot meet in person or attend live video calls. Limited internet access is often cited to avoid real-time communication.
Once the relationship is established, the scam shifts to a financial request. Victims are told the scammer needs help receiving wages, transferring funds, or resolving a temporary financial issue. They are instructed to open a bank account with a specific institution — which turns out to be a fake bank website operated by the criminals.
During the account setup process, victims are asked to provide extensive personal information, including passport copies and other identification documents. This data can later be used for identity theft or sold to other criminal networks.
After the account is created, the scammers manipulate the fake banking interface to show large incoming deposits. Victims are then told they must pay taxes, processing fees, or release charges before the funds can be accessed. Even if payments are made, no money is ever released. In many cases, victims lose both their savings and control over their personal information.
The FMA stresses that legitimate financial institutions will not require individuals to open accounts to receive another person’s wages, nor will they demand upfront fees to release funds.
If individuals suspect they have been targeted, they are urged to immediately contact their bank to attempt to halt or recover payments.
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Entity name |
Website |
Date added |
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Alchemists Vault Bank |
alchemistsvault.net |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Astute Atlas Bank Inc |
astuteatlas-inc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Atlas Capital Limited |
atlascapitallimited.online |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Aventis Capital Union Bank |
aventiscapitalunion.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Barclays Finance Group Capital Bank |
bfinancegroup.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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British Universal Bank & Financial |
bubkfinanical.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Chartered Heritage |
charteredheritage.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
|
Chillax Premium Trust |
chillaxpremiertrust.live |
12 Feb 2026 |
|
Choice Finas Group |
choicefinasgroup.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Churchill Digital Finance |
churchilldigitalfnc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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City Hall Trust |
cityhalltrusted.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Cognate Paragon Trust |
cognateparagone.live |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Continental Credits |
continentalcredits.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Continental Equity Bank |
continentaleqt.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
|
Eco Financial Trust |
ecofinancialtrust.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
|
EFG Investment Bank |
efginvestment.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Eighteen Service Bank |
eighteenservice.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Elite Global Pay |
eliteglobalpay.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Emirates Pinnacle Trust Bank |
emirpinnacletrustbk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Equinova Trust Bank |
equinovatrusted.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Euromed Bank |
eumdb.co.uk |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Ever Crest Bank |
evercrestb.cc |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Evertrust Reserve Bank |
evertrustreserve.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Fargo Redges Bank |
fargoredges.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Fidocap Financial |
fidocapfi.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Fin Trans Limited |
fintranslimited.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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First Chartered Bank |
firstcharteredbk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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First National Bank |
fristnationalbk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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First Platinum Edge |
firstplatinumedge.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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First Short Global Capital Bank |
firstshore-global.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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FlutterCiti Credit Bank |
flutterciti.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Fortis Elite Reserve Offshore Bank |
fortiselitereserve.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Fortune Guard Trust |
fortuneguardtrusted.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Fundara Bank |
fundarabank.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Future Secure Bank |
futuresecurebnk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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GHBB |
gahobn.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Global Heritage Prime |
globalheritageprime.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Global Union Prime |
globalunionprime.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Glumbos Bank |
glumbosbank.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Greenvalley Financial Trust |
greenvalleyfinancialtrusted.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Harbor Trust Bank |
harbortrustbk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Hemisfera Trust Services |
hemisferatrust.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Kova Trust International Bank |
kovatrust.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Liberty Insurance Savings |
libertyinsurancesavings.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Liberty Trust Prime Limited |
libertytrustprime.site |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Mavs Grand Bank Inc |
mavsgrandinc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Medici Prime Holdings |
mediciprimeholdings.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Millennial Treasury |
millennialtreasury.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Mr. Nice Generous Finance |
mr-nicegenerousplc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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MT.First-Global Bank |
mts.first-globalbk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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NesPhase Bank |
nesphase.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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New North East Business Bank |
nnebb.online |
12 Feb 2026 |
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New Wave Capital Bank |
newwave-capital.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Nord Sverige Bank |
nordsverigebank.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Noris Bank |
norisplc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Novus Arcano Trust Bank |
arcananovustrust.live |
12 Feb 2026 |
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NPT Capital Bank |
nexuspoint.tech |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Ocean View Trust |
oceanviewlcc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Park Foreign Trust Bank |
parkforeigntrust.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Premium Bherma Trust |
premiumbhermacity.live |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Premium Noval Assets |
premiumnovalassets.live |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Prime Trust Capital |
primetrustcapital.org |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Pro Axel Core Bank Plc |
proaxelcore-plc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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PyRad Axis Sphere Bank Plc |
pyradaxissphereplc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Renx Opal Mas Bank Inc |
renxopalmasinc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Reserve Worldwide Bank |
reserveworldwidebank.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Rock Alliance Group |
rockalliancegroup.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Royal Offshore Trust |
royaloffshorestrusted.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Royal Reserves Bank |
onlineroyalreserves.live |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Secure Trust Offshore Bank |
stoffshore.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Sky Horizon Holding |
skyhorizonholdings.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Sky Path Holdings |
skypath-holdings.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Skylark Capital Bank |
skylarkcapitalbk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Skylarkvaults Bank |
skylarkvaults.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Standard Capital Bank |
standardcaptl.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Swift Edge Trust |
firstreliableswiftedge.live |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Swiss Metropolitan Bank |
swissmetropolitan.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Trust North |
trustnorth.pro |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Turkiye Bankasi Bank |
turkisbnk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Union Bancaire Privee |
ubprivee.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Union Bank |
uninorthb-inc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Union Continental Bank |
unioncontinental.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Union Corporation Bank |
unioncorporationbn.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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United Commercial Bank |
unitedcomb.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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United Unity Bank |
unitedunitybk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Vonto Group |
vontogroup.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Wealth Wave Bank |
wealthwavebk.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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West Link Bank |
westlinkb.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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West Prime Savings Bank |
westprimesave.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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WestPalm Bank |
westpalmcbinc.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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WFPDT Bank |
wfpdt.cfd |
12 Feb 2026 |
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Zigo Microfinance |
zigomfb.com |
12 Feb 2026 |
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