The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued a public warning after identifying “Equitrix Investment Management LLC” and “ahlexchange.com” as illegal online trading platforms that are enticing investors with exaggerated return claims and falsely associating themselves with Arif Habib Limited, a licensed brokerage house. SECP said neither platform is licensed or authorised to operate an investment or trading platform in Pakistan and that the matter has been reported to relevant law enforcement agencies. The advisory forms part of SECP’s broader effort to caution the public against illegal investment and trading schemes, which it said are often promoted via social media and WhatsApp groups by individuals misusing the names of licensed securities and commodities brokers. SECP advised investors to deal only with SECP-licensed securities and futures brokers and to use official communication channels listed on brokers’ websites, noting that lists of licensed brokers are available on the websites of the Pakistan Stock Exchange and the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange. It also urged investors to verify the legitimacy of investment services before sending funds or sharing personal information, and warned against depositing or investing any funds with the named platforms or any similar promoters.

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