First Star Trade Scam Warning: Fake UK and US Addresses
An unlicensed forex platform, warned about by the FCA, that uses two addresses to run an international scam
🚨 Urgent Warning
First Star Trade (firststartrade.com) is an international scam platform that has been officially warned about by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The platform tries to look legitimate by using fake addresses in the United Kingdom and the United States, and asks investors for large sums. After the money is paid in, contact stops and withdrawal requests are refused.
First Star Trade is not authorised in Türkiye by the Capital Markets Board (SPK).
FCA warning date: the period 2024-2026
⚠ Dangerous Features
- Multiple fake addresses: To look like a legitimate institution, the platform presents two fake addresses:
- UK address (fake): 10 Fenchurch Ave, London, EC3M 5BN
- US address (fake): 1026 S Russell Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93458-6447
These addresses are not linked to any institution licensed by the FCA.
- Contact details:
- Phone: +16282665672 (US)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: firststartrade.com
- The silence trap: After investors deposit money, their contact with the customer support team is gradually restricted and finally cut off completely.
- Payment by crypto and wire transfer: Investments are requested in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, or by wire transfer. These are payment methods that are hard to trace and cannot be reversed.
- Fake MetaTrader-style interface: Legitimate forex brokers use the MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 platforms, whereas First Star Trade offers a simple web interface that the operator can control.
- Fake success stories: The website publishes made-up success stories presented as if they came from "real investors".
- Withdrawal obstacles: When customers want to withdraw money, they meet excuses such as "the transaction is not ready to be processed", "additional verification is required" or "an extra fee must be paid".
📊 Type of Scam and Technique
Platform name: First Star Trade
Main domain: firststartrade.com
Claimed services: Forex trading, CFDs, crypto trading
Registered addresses (fake):
- United Kingdom: 10 Fenchurch Ave, London, EC3M 5BN
- United States: 1026 S Russell Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93458-6447
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phone | +16282665672 |
| [email protected] | |
| UK address | 10 Fenchurch Ave, London, EC3M 5BN (fake) |
| US address | 1026 S Russell Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93458-6447 (fake) |
| FCA licence | 🔴 None |
| FCA warning status | 🔴 Warned |
| Withdrawals | 🔴 Blocked or extremely limited |
Reports from victims: People affected by First Star Trade have described the following experiences:
- The response speed of the customer support team dropped after the deposit
- The accounts of customers who asked to withdraw money were restricted
- The "profit" figures shown on the platform were unrealistic
- Additional payments were requested by crypto or wire transfer
- The "success stories" on the platform website were fake
Regulatory check: First Star Trade does not appear on the list of intermediary institutions licensed by the SPK. It has been warned about by the FCA and is not licensed by any legitimate financial regulator.
✅ Warning Signs and Ways to Verify
- Messages from the phone number +16282665672 or the email address [email protected] are part of the scheme and should be read as such.
- The addresses 10 Fenchurch Ave, London and 1026 S Russell Ave, Santa Maria are widely misused by scam platforms like First Star Trade, so a forex platform that cites them gives no sign of legitimacy.
- Forex platforms that use two addresses (both UK and US) are a common fraud indicator. Legitimate institutions state simple, verifiable addresses.
- Before investing, check whether a platform is authorised by the regulator in your own country (for example the FCA Register, ASIC or SEC). First Star Trade is not licensed in any way.
- Forex platforms that ask for payment by crypto or wire transfer rely on methods that cannot be traced or reversed, which is typical of scams.
- Websites that show "success stories" or "real investor experiences" are suspicious. Such stories are often fake and come with promises of unbelievable returns.
- Brokers that do not use MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 offer less transparency over trading and rate data.
- Withdrawal restrictions call for a high degree of caution. Legitimate financial institutions do not block money in a customer's account without fundamental reasons.
- For people who have deposited money with First Star Trade and cannot withdraw it, the documents are usually gathered and assessed with legal support. For detailed information and legal support, you can contact Savun Law & Consultancy.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
I deposited money with First Star Trade. What happens next?
Answer: Further payments are generally not part of any recovery process, and all transaction records are normally preserved. For detailed information and legal support, you can contact Savun Law & Consultancy.
Is the Fenchurch Ave address real?
Answer: 10 Fenchurch Ave, London is a real address and is associated with a well-known building in London (The Walkie Talkie). However, it has no connection with First Star Trade. Scammers misuse real addresses to look legitimate, which is why verification through the FCA Register is needed.
Why is crypto payment dangerous?
Answer: Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have no reversal mechanism like banks do. Crypto that has been sent cannot be returned automatically, which is why scammers ask for it. Getting such money back is very difficult, and the movement of the assets can only be followed through legal tools.
Why does MetaTrader matter?
Answer: MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are independent and transparent trading platforms. They show real market data, and trading history is kept on record. Brokers that use their own web interface can control the trading data and display fake profits.
Can a withdrawal block be lawful?
Answer: No. Legitimate financial institutions do not find excuses to hold the money in customer accounts. When withdrawals are obstructed, this strongly points to fraud. For detailed information and legal support, you can contact Savun Law & Consultancy.
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Have a question? Attorney Veli Savun answersThis page is an English adaptation of our Turkish article First Star Trade Forex Dolandırıcılığı.
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