The JSE Limited, its affiliates, and subsidiaries (“JSE”) have noted a rise in the number of alleged scams and fraudulent activities reported by members of the public. The JSE urges members of the public to exercise vigilance and to be cautious when interacting with entities and/or groups that purport to be the representatives of, or authorized by, the JSE, especially when these entities make contact on social media platforms.

The JSE is a licensed exchange that regulates authorized JSE Members (brokers), and it does not interact directly with investors, nor does it offer investment opportunities to members of the public.

Verify a broker

 🚨 Warning regarding ongoing scams  🚨

 

Members of the public are warned that the following entities and/or WhatsApp Group and/or individuals listed below are involved in an impersonation scam of the JSE and individuals. None of these groups or types of groups are authorised by the JSE and none of the investments or applications referred to are authorised or endorsed by the JSE.

Richard Mouton; Joziex; JSE Global Stock Return Competition; World Stock Trading Competition; World Stock Strategy Competition; JSE Customer Services 1009; JSE Securities Stock App; S7 JSE Stock Strategy Group; Zibex Finance; 38VIP JSE Stock Strategy; JSE Stock Strategy Group 62; JSE Stock Strategy Group VIP10; VIP108 Stock Strategy Group; Jozistock Securities; VIP 845 JSE Stock Strategy Group.

Note: the names and/or references may vary as they are taken down so the above is not an exhaustive list.

Do not accept requests from any WhatsApp group or social media account displaying a JSE logo and/or JSE name or reference. Do not make payment of any amount in response to any of these requests. The JSE does not recruit investors in this manner and the way to trade is through a JSE Member/broker – who will not engage in such a manner on social media platforms.

⚠️Stop. Think. Don't get scammed⚠️

Unauthorised AIJSE App and Potential Scams Promoted on Facebook

Please be advised that there is an app called AIJSE, which is an automated trading app that is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store and is NOT a legitimate app affiliated with the JSE.

These types of groups are not authorised by the JSE and the investments referred to are not authorised or endorsed by the JSE.

Insofar as the unauthorised use of the JSE’s name and registered trademarks have been used, we will report this instance to the Financial Conduct Sector Authority (FSCA) as this is a possible contravention of the provisions of the Financial Markets Act.

Please report the complaint to the relevant authority in your jurisdiction and the account to the social media or other platform they used to engage with you.

Below are examples to look out for:

                                   

 

 

whatsapp video scam

 

Important notice to all potential investors regarding a fake video of Mark Randall distributed on WhatsApp 

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has been made aware of fraudulent activity circulating on Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms. Scammers are impersonating JSE personnel through unauthorized fake profiles and a deceptive video that falsely claims affiliation with the JSE.

These scams are designed to mislead individuals into believing they are engaging with credible investment opportunities backed by the JSE. This is false and highly dangerous.

What You Need to Know:

  • The JSE does not promote investment opportunities via WhatsApp or Facebook DMs.

  • No official JSE representative will request personal information or funds through social media platforms.

  • The circulating video and impersonated profiles have no affiliation with the JSE and are considered fraudulent.

Protect Yourself:

  • Always verify information by visiting the official JSE website

  • Report suspicious activity directly to the JSE or via the relevant platform’s fraud reporting mechanism.

  • If in doubt, do not engage and trust your caution

Please help spread the word to friends, family, and colleagues. Investor awareness is a powerful defense against financial fraud.

These accounts below have been reported for impersonation:

Our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Leila Fourie, has only one official verified LinkedIn social media account (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilafourie/).

Any other social media accounts on other platforms that impersonate or pretend to be Leila Fourie (either with her name and/or photograph) and/or represent the JSE in any manner should be treated as suspicious.
The public is urged not to engage with these accounts.

These are fraudulent Facebook accounts created to impersonate Leila Fourie, JSE Group CEO.

https://www.facebook.com/leila.fourie.2024/ 

JSE Facebook scam alert

JSE Facebook scam alert

 

     JSE Whatsapp scam alert

What is a scam?

A scam is a dishonest or fraudulent scheme that is designed to mislead and deceive members of the public by making untrue and false statements and promises in an attempt to induce people to “invest” in these schemes. 

Types of scams

In the context of the JSE – the Scams are focused on business and investment fraud. Many scams entice investors with the promise of very high returns coupled with assurances that the investment is entirely safe or that there is a very low and unlikely risk of the promised high returns not being realised.  In many instances the fraudsters place pressure on investors by saying that time is of the essence and that the opportunity will be lost if the investor does not invest immediately.

Anti fraud awareness
Impersonation Scams

Fraudsters often impersonate organizations or individuals to lure victims into scams, often on social media platforms. They may impersonate JSE, JSE employees, or legitimate investment professionals like JSE Members by methods such as phone calls, voicemails, text messages, messages via social media (especially WhatsApp Groups), e-mails, letters, and certificates—all of which may falsely appear to be from the JSE.

Anti fraud awareness
Advance Fee Scams

The fraudsters will also place pressure on investors by asking for a large amount in cash in exchange for guaranteed future returns.

Report Scam
telemarketing scams
Telemarketing Fraud Scams

Scammers try to steal your money over the phone, whether by telling you they are an agent of the JSE, phoning on behalf of the JSE, or using some other approach.

How does the JSE deal with scams and fraudulent activities?

 

Insofar as the unauthorised use of the JSE’s name and trademarks is used in scams or fraudulent activities we actively report these to the social media platforms as unauthorised use of JSE trademarks for removal/takedown.

In instances where the JSE believes there is a contravention of the provisions of the Financial Markets Act, the JSE reports these to the Financial Conduct Sector Authority (FSCA) for investigation.

scam alert
How to Spot a Scam  - look out for these types of phrases:

 

❌ “You can become a millionaire in just 2 months.”

 

❌ “… If you give me R4700, I will turn them into R15000 without even getting up from the couch".

 

 ❌ “…You do not have to work at all. ..Why would a taxi driver, physician, policeman or school teacher go to work when they can earn way more money only using technology and five minutes of their time a day?"

 

❌ “..I will make a million in just 12-15 weeks!” “..If you do not withdraw your profit, the first million can be earned in a maximum period of 4 months”

 

❌ “Checking your balance and withdrawing your earnings is all you need to do.”

 

❌ “…It works faster and more accurately than a whole staff of professional investors. The main feature this platform has is that it can work automatically. The user does not need to do anything! “

 

❌ “I do not know how long this loophole will be free to use. I hope you use it before it is shut down. By the way, I heard that in a few days the registration on the platform will be paid so I recommend that you open an account right now".