The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) issued a public warning urging caution when conducting financial services business with SPO Trading Ltd after it was brought to the regulator’s attention that the firm was providing financial services to the public without authorisation in South Africa. SPO Trading reportedly presented itself as a juristic representative of FiveWest OTC Desk (Pty) Ltd (FSP 51619) to solicit investments, using marketing material that reflected FiveWest’s name and the FSP number 56419, which the FSCA’s records show does not exist. FiveWest confirmed it is not associated with SPO Trading, and the FSCA said it was unable to contact SPO Trading. The regulator reiterated that consumers should avoid accepting financial advice, assistance or investment offers from unauthorised entities, exercise caution with unsolicited and social media offers, and verify authorisation status, permitted advice category and FSP details against the FSCA’s records.
South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority 2025-10-21
South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority warns public against SPO Trading Ltd for unauthorised financial services and false FiveWest affiliation
The South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) issued a warning against SPO Trading Ltd for providing unauthorized financial services in South Africa. SPO Trading falsely claimed association with FiveWest OTC Desk (Pty) Ltd, using non-existent FSP numbers. The FSCA advises consumers to verify authorisation status and exercise caution with unsolicited offers.