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The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued a stern public warning regarding two illegal online trading platforms. The commission identified “Equitrix Investment Management LLC” and “ahlexchange” as unauthorised entities. These platforms are currently deceiving the public by promising unrealistic returns on share investments.
Additionally, the SECP revealed that these entities are falsely claiming an association with Arif Habib Limited, a licensed and well-known brokerage house.
According to the advisory, scammers are promoting these illegal platforms through social media and WhatsApp groups. They actively target potential victims by offering exaggerated profits on investments in listed companies. To gain trust, the operators fraudulently use the names of licensed securities and commodities brokers.
The SECP clarified that neither “Equitrix Investment Management LLC” nor “ahlexchange” holds any license or authorisation to operate an investment platform in Pakistan. Consequently, the regulator has reported these activities to law enforcement agencies for immediate action.
The SECP strongly advises the public to avoid depositing funds with these platforms or any individuals promoting them. Investors should only engage with securities and futures brokers licensed by the SECP.
To verify a broker’s legitimacy, investors can visit the official websites of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) or the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX). Furthermore, the commission urges the public to use only official communication channels listed on brokers’ websites rather than relying on unverified social media links.
