The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan issued a public warning after identifying illegal online trading platforms operating as “Hillhouse Capital/Hillhouse Investment” and “S-169 Wharton”, which it said are soliciting the public with exaggerated promises of high returns from investing in listed company shares. SECP said neither platform is licensed or authorised to operate any investment or trading platform and urged the public not to deposit or invest funds with them. The regulator has reported the platforms to relevant law enforcement agencies and cautioned that similar schemes are often promoted through WhatsApp groups by individuals fraudulently misusing the names of licensed brokers, reputed institutions or professionals. Investors were advised to engage only with SECP-licensed securities and futures brokers, use official communication channels on brokers’ websites, and verify legitimacy before making transactions or sharing personal information, with licensed broker lists available on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and Pakistan Mercantile Exchange websites.
Securites & Exchange Commission of Pakistan 2026-01-13
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan warns investors against unlicensed online trading platforms Hillhouse Capital and S-169 Wharton
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan warned about illegal online trading platforms "Hillhouse Capital/Hillhouse Investment" and "S-169 Wharton," which falsely promise high returns and lack licenses. The SECP urged the public to avoid these platforms, reported them to law enforcement, and advised verifying broker legitimacy through official channels and licensed broker lists on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and Pakistan Mercantile Exchange websites.