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The “Karen Finerman WhatsApp investing group” is most likely a scam. Fraudulent entities often impersonate public figures like Karen Finerman to create fake investment groups on platforms such as WhatsApp. These groups typically promote high-return stock tips and encourage participants to invest substantial sums. Once the funds are invested, the scammers disappear, leaving participants with significant losses.
In one notable case, a victim was contacted via WhatsApp by someone posing as an assistant at a company named ‘Elgethun Capital Management’. This individual claimed to be promoting a group titled ‘Karen Finerman’s Free Exchange Group Sharing’, which purportedly provided exclusive trading signals. The victim was led to believe they would receive recommendations for high-quality stocks with expected returns of 15–25% weekly. Additionally, the group promoted ‘high-yield elite core investments’, promising profits of up to 300%. The victim was instructed to pay a percentage of their profits as ‘commission’. When the promoted shares collapsed, the victim lost all invested funds. Fortunately, the victim was able to recover £6,500 through legal assistance and bank fraud reimbursement schemes.
National Fraud HelplineKey Red Flags to Watch For:
Unsolicited Invitations: Receiving unexpected messages inviting you to join investment groups.
Promises of High Returns: Claims of guaranteed or unusually high profits.
Pressure Tactics: Urgency to invest quickly or secrecy about the investment.
Impersonation: Use of public figures’ names and likenesses without authorization.
Protective Measures:
Verify Authenticity: Check official sources or contact the individual or company directly through verified channels.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Do not disclose sensitive data such as bank details or passwords.
Report Suspicious Activity: Inform relevant authorities or platforms about potential scams.
If you encounter such groups or have already joined one, exercise caution and consider reporting the incident to appropriate authorities.
Here’s a simple guide for getting started with buying stocks:
1. Set Your Goals
Are you investing for long-term growth, income (dividends), or short-term trading?
Determine how much money you can afford to invest without affecting your daily needs.
2. Open a Brokerage Account
In the UK, choose a regulated broker like:
Hargreaves Lansdown
AJ Bell Youinvest
Interactive Brokers
Freetrade (app-based)
Make sure the platform offers the type of account you need: ISA, SIPP, or standard investing account.
3. Research Stocks
Look at companies’ financial health, growth prospects, and dividends.
Consider diversifying across sectors to reduce risk.
4. Decide How Much to Buy
Don’t invest all your money in one stock.
Consider fractional shares if the stock price is high.
5. Place an Order
Market order: buys at current price.
Limit order: sets the maximum price you’re willing to pay.
6. Monitor & Review
Check your investments periodically.
Avoid panic selling during short-term market dips.
💡 Tip: For beginners, consider low-cost ETFs or index funds instead of individual stocks for easier diversification.
If you like, I can make a step-by-step example for a first-time UK investor showing exactly how to buy a stock. Do you want me to do that?
Metals One PLC (AIM: MET1) is a UK-listed exploration company focusing on critical minerals, including gold, uranium, and nickel, across projects in the U.S., Finland, and Norway. Despite a significant 52-week price increase of over 600%, the company faces challenges such as negative earnings, limited revenue, and a small workforce of just 8 employees.
📊 Key Financial Metrics
Market Capitalization: £26.3 million
Share Price: 3.20p (as of October 16, 2025)
Net Income: -£2.31 million
Earnings Per Share (EPS): -0.05
Return on Equity (ROE): -20.22%
Free Cash Flow: -£3.47 million
Net Cash: £2.73 million
52-Week Range: 0.176p – 55.00p
StockAnalysis📉 Investment Considerations
Volatility: The stock has experienced significant price fluctuations, with a 52-week high of 55.00p and a low of 0.176p.
Technical Indicators: Analyses indicate a “Strong Sell” signal, with negative trends in moving averages and other technical indicators.
Investing.comFinancial Health: The company reports negative earnings and free cash flow, suggesting financial instability.
The FTSE 100 Stock Discussion H32 WhatsApp group has raised concerns among investors. While some participants have questioned its legitimacy, there is no concrete evidence to confirm it as a scam. However, the proliferation of similar groups, such as the “Professor Tim Wood WhatsApp investing group,” has been associated with fraudulent activities.
Good Money Guide🚩 Red Flags to Consider
Unsolicited Invitations: Receiving an unexpected invitation to join a WhatsApp group, especially from unknown contacts, is a common tactic used by scammers.
Promises of Quick Returns: Claims of rapid profits or “explosive” stock tips are often indicative of fraudulent schemes.
Pressure to Act Quickly: Urgency and high-pressure tactics are typical strategies employed by scammers to prompt hasty decisions.
✅ Steps to Protect Yourself
Verify the Group’s Legitimacy: Check if the group is associated with a reputable financial institution or advisor.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Do not disclose sensitive data, such as bank details or personal identification numbers, to group members.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect fraudulent activity, report it to the relevant authorities, such as Action Fraud in the UK.
Given the potential risks, it’s advisable to approach such groups with caution. Engaging with verified and regulated financial advisors or platforms is a safer alternative for investment discussions.
If you need assistance verifying the legitimacy of a specific group or have other concerns, feel free to ask.
InvestEngine has implemented a temporary suspension on new managed pension accounts, including Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). This measure has been in place for several months, causing frustration among potential investors.
📉 Current Status
As of October 2025, InvestEngine continues to restrict the opening of new managed pension accounts. This ongoing limitation has led to dissatisfaction among users who were anticipating the service. Despite inquiries, the company has provided generic responses without clear explanations for the prolonged delay.
Good Money Guide🔄 Alternative Options
If you’re seeking to invest for retirement during this period, consider the following alternatives:
DIY SIPPs: Open a SIPP and manage your investments independently using ETFs or other assets.
LifePlan Portfolios: InvestEngine offers pre-built LifePlan portfolios, which are actively managed and designed for long-term growth. These portfolios are available for general investment accounts and ISAs.
InvestEngine🔒 Security and Regulation
InvestEngine is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Client investments are ring-fenced, meaning they are protected and separate from the company’s finances. In the unlikely event of the company’s insolvency, your investments would be safeguarded and either returned to you or transferred to another provider.
Reddit📞 Next Steps
If you have further questions or need assistance:
Contact InvestEngine Support: Reach out directly to inquire about the status of managed pension accounts and any potential timelines.
Monitor Updates: Keep an eye on InvestEngine’s official communications for any announcements regarding the resumption of managed pension services.
Explore Other Providers: If immediate access to managed pension services is essential, consider exploring other FCA-regulated platforms that offer similar services.
Feel free to ask if you need assistance comparing alternative platforms or understanding the features they offer.
Check the official register
In the UK, search the FCA Register
for the firm’s name and registration number.Compare contact details
Make sure phone numbers, emails, and websites match the official records.
Contact the real firm
Use verified details from the FCA or company website to confirm if the person contacting you is genuine.
Look for warnings
FCA’s warning list
or Action Fraud may have alerts about cloned firms.🚨 Red flags
Unsolicited calls, emails, or messages.
Promises of guaranteed high returns.
Requests for money via unusual methods (e.g., crypto, overseas transfers).
Pressure to act quickly or keep things secret.
✅ If you suspect a clone
Stop all communication immediately.
Do not send money or personal information.
Report it to:
UK: Action Fraud
US: FTC Complaint Assistant
Contact your bank if you already sent money — they may help recover it.
You can also share the firm name or website (no personal info) and I can help check if it matches a legitimate firm.
In the UK, interest from savings is taxed based on your income:
Personal Savings Allowance (PSA):
Basic-rate taxpayers: £1,000 tax-free
Higher-rate taxpayers: £500 tax-free
Additional-rate taxpayers: £0 allowance
Interest above your allowance is taxed at your income tax rate.
ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) are fully tax-free.
For children, interest may be taxed differently if it’s in their name or if the “parental settlement rules” apply.
The FCA prohibits retail investors from trading crypto derivatives, including futures, to protect against high-risk exposure. To qualify as a professional investor and access these products, individuals must meet certain criteria, such as:
Executing at least 10 significant leveraged transactions per quarter over the last year.
Holding a portfolio of over €500,000.
Having experience in the financial sector for at least one year in a professional position.
If you meet these criteria, you may apply for professional status with the FCA. However, this process is complex and requires thorough documentation.
✅ Alternative Options for Retail Investors
While direct crypto futures trading is not available to retail investors in the UK, there are alternative methods to gain exposure to cryptocurrency markets:
Crypto Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs):
As of October 2025, the FCA has approved the sale of crypto ETNs to UK retail investors.
These are debt instruments that track the performance of cryptocurrencies and can be traded on traditional stock exchanges.
They offer a regulated and safer alternative to direct crypto trading.
MoneyWeekTokenised Investment Funds:
The FCA is exploring the tokenisation of investment funds, allowing for blockchain-based representations of traditional assets.
This initiative aims to attract younger investors and enhance market efficiency.
ReutersRed Flags Identified by Participants
Unverifiable Identities: Members have noted that neither “Professor Tim Wood” nor his assistant “Emily Grace Smith” appear to have any verifiable online presence or professional credentials.
Good Money GuideAggressive Recruitment Tactics: Participants have reported persistent attempts by group members to solicit personal information, such as bank details, under the guise of offering analysis or rewards.
Good Money GuideUnrealistic Promises: The group allegedly provides stock tips that seem to yield high returns, which is characteristic of “pump and dump” schemes where stock prices are artificially inflated before being sold off by the scammers.
New York State Attorney General⚠️ Common Scam Patterns
This situation mirrors tactics used in other high-profile scams, where scammers impersonate well-known investors to lure individuals into fraudulent investment opportunities.
Investopedia✅ Recommended Actions
Cease All Communication: Immediately stop engaging with the group and any associated contacts.
Protect Personal Information: Do not share any personal, banking, or identification details.
Report the Incident:
UK Residents: Report to Action Fraud
.US Residents: Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
.Warn Others: Share your experience on forums and social media to alert potential victims.
