Blacklands Finance Limited

Key Points

• Subject: Blacklands Finance Limited, a UK-based company offering online trading services, including forex, stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

• Allegations of Fraud: Multiple sources report Blacklands Finance as a potential scam, with clients alleging non-delivery of withdrawals and disappearance of funds (e.g., €13,000 and €21,000 losses reported in 2023).

• Regulatory Concerns: Operates without recognized regulatory oversight, a major red flag for a financial broker. Websites (blacklandsfin.com, blacklandsfin.vip) are flagged as unregulated.

• Legal Actions: German legal firm pursuing claims against Blacklands Finance for suspected fraud, with clients reporting losses and unresponsive “financial advisors.”

• Customer Feedback: Predominantly negative, with complaints about withdrawal issues, deceptive practices, and lack of transparency. No positive reviews are noted in the sources.

• Company Status: Registered in the UK since 1991, but recent financials (2021) show modest assets (£184,117) and minimal staff (1 employee), raising doubts about operational capacity.

Overview

Blacklands Finance Limited is a private limited company incorporated in the UK on April 15, 1991, with a registered office at Linkwood Office, 483 Green Lanes, London, N13 4BS. The company, registered under number 02601546, claims to offer online trading services, including forex, global stock indices, cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin), and copy trading from top-performing traders. Its websites (blacklandsfin.com, blacklandsfin.vip) promote features like fast execution, low spreads, secure deposits/withdrawals via bank transfers, cards, and e-wallets, and negative-balance protection. Blacklands Finance markets account types (Standard, Pro-ECN, ECN, Platinum) and provides educational resources like video tutorials and forex updates. However, the company is not regulated by any recognized financial authority, and its operations have been flagged as potentially fraudulent. Financial reports from July 2021 indicate total assets of £184,117, working capital of £181,028, and liabilities of £21,307, with only one employee, suggesting limited operational scale.

Allegations and Concerns

• Suspected Scam Operations: Gripeo and other sources label Blacklands Finance as a potential scam, alleging it fails to process withdrawals and engages in deceptive practices. A German lawyer reports representing multiple clients against the company for fraud.

• Unregulated Status: Blacklands Finance operates without oversight from reputable regulators like the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or equivalent bodies, a significant red flag for a trading broker. This lack of regulation leaves clients with little recourse if funds are lost.

• Use of Deceptive Software: The company allegedly uses software like AnyDesk to set up trading accounts, a tactic associated with fraudulent brokers. One client reported a “demo account” payment of €250 followed by a fake profit of €99.80, designed to lure further investments.

• Disappearance of Advisors: Clients report that “financial advisors” become unresponsive after deposits, with funds vanishing (e.g., €13,000 and €21,000 losses reported in March 2023).

• No Major Lawsuits Confirmed: While legal action is being pursued, no finalized lawsuits or regulatory sanctions are detailed in the sources, possibly due to the company’s elusive operations.

Customer Feedback

• Negative Feedback: Customer reviews are overwhelmingly negative, focusing on withdrawal failures and suspected fraud. A German client stated, “I paid over 13,000 euros to Blacklands Finance, but now the money is gone, and the ‘financial advisors’ have disappeared.” Another reported, “I lost 21,000 euros through blacklandsfin.vip. It’s a complete scam—avoid at all costs.”

• No Positive Feedback: No positive reviews or testimonials are found in the provided sources or related web results, contrasting with the company’s promotional claims of secure and transparent trading.

• Context: The absence of positive feedback, combined with specific allegations of significant financial losses, suggests a pattern of client dissatisfaction and distrust. Complaints center on the company’s failure to honor withdrawal requests and its use of deceptive tactics to solicit deposits.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: Clients face high risk of losing invested funds, as evidenced by reported losses (€13,000, €21,000). The unregulated status means no compensation schemes (e.g., FCA’s FSCS) are available to recover losses.

• Reputational Risk: Blacklands Finance’s association with scam allegations severely damages its credibility, deterring potential clients and partners. The negative publicity on platforms like Gripeo and legal forums amplifies this risk.

• Legal Risk: The company may face lawsuits or regulatory scrutiny, particularly in jurisdictions like Germany, where clients are pursuing legal action. Its unregulated status could attract investigations by financial authorities.

• Operational Risk: With only one employee and modest financials, Blacklands Finance may lack the capacity to manage a legitimate trading platform, supporting allegations of fraudulent operations.

Business Relations and Associations

• Parent Company: Blacklands Finance is a subsidiary of Blacklands Utilities Ltd, which owns 100 ordinary shares and is listed as a holding company. No further details on Blacklands Utilities’ operations are provided.

• No Notable Partnerships: The sources do not mention partnerships with reputable financial institutions, technology providers, or trading platforms, unlike regulated brokers who often integrate with MetaTrader or similar systems.

• No Key Individuals Named: No directors, executives, or financial advisors are identified in the sources, which is unusual for a financial services provider and aligns with allegations of opaque operations.

• Client Interactions: The use of AnyDesk and Coinbase for account setup suggests reliance on third-party software, but these are flagged as tools used in scams rather than legitimate partnerships.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Legal Actions: A German law firm is representing multiple clients against Blacklands Finance for alleged fraud, with reported losses of €13,000 and €21,000. No finalized lawsuits or court judgments are confirmed, but legal pursuit is ongoing as of April 2023.

• No Bankruptcy or Debt Records: Financial reports from July 2021 show no bankruptcy or significant unpaid debts, with liabilities of £21,307 against assets of £184,117. However, the company’s small scale raises questions about its ability to handle client funds.

• Regulatory Violations: The lack of regulation by any recognized authority (e.g., FCA, CySEC) is a critical concern, as it leaves clients unprotected. This aligns with warnings from scam recovery services like MyChargeBack.

• Blockchain Analysis: The German lawyer conducts blockchain analysis for cases involving cryptocurrency payments to Blacklands Finance, indicating attempts to trace funds in fraud investigations.

Risk Assessment Table

Notes: “High” ratings across all risk types reflect the serious allegations, lack of regulation, and operational red flags. The absence of positive feedback or regulatory oversight amplifies these concerns.

Expert Opinion

Analytical Summary

Blacklands Finance Limited presents itself as a trading broker offering forex, stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies, but its operations are marred by serious allegations of fraud and a lack of regulatory oversight. Established in 1991, the company’s modest financials (£184,117 in assets, one employee) and unregistered status raise doubts about its legitimacy as a broker. Client reports of significant losses (€13,000, €21,000) and non-responsive advisors, combined with the use of tools like AnyDesk in alleged scams, suggest a pattern of deceptive practices. The absence of positive reviews or affiliations with reputable financial bodies further erodes trust. Legal actions in Germany indicate growing scrutiny, but the company’s opaque operations make accountability challenging. The Gripeo source and related reviews provide credible evidence of client harm, aligning with broader warnings about unregulated brokers in the forex industry.

Pros

• Longevity as a registered UK company (since 1991) suggests some operational history.

• Financial reports show no bankruptcy or major debts, indicating minimal financial distress.

Cons

• Unregulated status leaves clients unprotected, a critical red flag for a trading broker.

• Allegations of fraud, including withdrawal failures and client losses, are well-documented.

• Lack of transparency (no named directors, minimal staff) undermines credibility.

• Negative reviews and legal actions in Germany signal high risk of financial harm.

Cautionary Advice

Avoid engaging with Blacklands Finance Limited due to its unregulated status and documented allegations of fraud. Potential investors should prioritize brokers regulated by reputable authorities like the FCA, CySEC, or ASIC, which offer client protections such as segregated accounts and compensation schemes. If you have already invested, contact a legal professional or scam recovery service like MyChargeBack to explore recovery options, particularly if funds were paid via cryptocurrency. Conduct thorough due diligence on any broker, checking regulatory status on official databases (e.g., FCA Register) and reviewing independent feedback on platforms like Trustpilot. Report suspicious activity to authorities like Action Fraud (UK) or local financial regulators to prevent further harm. Exercise extreme caution with platforms using remote access software like AnyDesk, as this is a common tactic in trading scams.

Key Citations

• Gripeo: “Blacklands Finance Limited: Scam or Legit? – Gripeo,” detailing allegations of fraud and client complaints.

• Anwalt.de: “Betrug über Blacklands Finance Limited / Blacklandsfin? Erfahrungen zur Auszahlung? Geld zurück?” outlining legal actions and client losses.

• Personal Reviews: “Blacklands Finance Limited Review (blacklandsfin.vip Scam),” highlighting unregulated status and scam concerns.

• UK Global Database: Financial and operational details for Blacklands Finance Limited, including 2021 financials.

• ScamRecovery.net: “Blacklands Finance Limited Review,” warning against investment due to scam allegations.