The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) has issued a public warning about unauthorized lenders offering Belgian consumers fake credit via the internet and social media, often through unsolicited messages or online advertising. The FSMA reports it has identified 12 new fraudulent lenders operating this way. The scheme typically involves fraudsters claiming to be authorized lenders or registered credit intermediaries and sometimes using the names or logos of well-known credit institutions, which the FSMA describes as “cloned firm” fraud. Victims are lured with very attractive loan terms, such as large amounts at low interest rates and no credit checks, and are then asked to pay upfront “costs” presented as insurance premiums or administrative and file handling fees, after which the lender disappears. The entities named are Dargs Holding (dargs-holding.com), Dienst Plus (dienstplus.com), Finova Group (finovagroup.be), Instant lenen (instantlenen.com), Kredas Services (kredas-services.com), Kredieten Nu (kredietennu.com), Krediet voor iedereen (kred-vooriedereen.com), Kingen Inc (kringeninc.com, cloned firm), Mohiten (mohiten.com), NV Gevolgd (nvgevolgd.com), Veilig Krediet (veiligkredietnl.com), and Rapide Finance/Finance Rapide, which has no website and approaches consumers via social media while using the identity details of Record Credits. The FSMA advises consumers not to take up such offers, to be sceptical of unsolicited credit pitches and unusually favourable terms, and to treat any request for upfront payments as a red flag. It also recommends checking whether a lender is authorised or registered using the FSMA’s website search tool, and reporting suspicious approaches to the FSMA before making any further payments.
Belgium Financial Services and Markets Authority 2026-04-09
Belgium's Financial Services and Markets Authority warns of fake credit offers on social media and flags 12 newly identified fraudulent lenders
The Financial Services and Markets Authority has issued a public warning about 12 newly identified fraudulent online lenders offering fake consumer credit in Belgium, often via unsolicited internet and social media approaches and “cloned firm” tactics. Victims are enticed with unusually favourable loan terms and then asked to pay upfront fees, after which the lender disappears. The authority urges consumers to reject such offers, verify lender authorisation on its website, and report suspicious approaches before making payments.