South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority warns public about fraudulent WhatsApp groups and mobile apps impersonating Avior Capital Markets

The South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) issued a warning against engaging with WhatsApp groups, mobile applications, social media pages, and bank accounts that falsely claim an association with Avior Capital Markets (Pty) Ltd, a Johannesburg Stock Exchange member firm. The FSCA noted that Avior Capital Markets has no official mobile application and provides trade and execution services via its browser-based Discover portal. The alert follows reports of a scheme in which individuals impersonate Avior Capital Markets staff, including Executive Managing Director Kevin Mattison, and promote unauthorised channels and apps such as Aarai and Gavior AI. The FSCA identified a Facebook presence titled “Avior Capital Markets LLC” and bank accounts at Discovery Bank (Account No. 15348366059) and Absa Bank (Account No. 9400622160) as being fraudulently linked to the scheme; victims reported being induced to transfer funds and download fake apps supported by falsified documents and altered images. Avior Capital Markets also confirmed it does not provide investment advice to retail clients and does not operate or manage cryptocurrency or “quant AI” funds. The FSCA encouraged the public to verify that any entity or individual is authorised, confirm the representative’s ID number and advice category, and ensure the financial services provider number matches the FSCA register.