Step 1 — Check the Financial Supervisory Commission's approved list
In Taiwan, operating securities, futures, investment consulting, or banking requires approval from the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC). Visit the FSC's 'Legal Operator Query / Investment Fraud Prevention Zone' to confirm if the entity is on the approved list. If not listed but soliciting investments, it's illegal, no matter how nice the website looks.
Step 2 — Check if the company is actually registered
Use the official Taiwan company registry to check the company's unified business number: whether it exists, whether its status is 'approved' (not dissolved, revoked, or abolished), and whether its registered business scope includes finance/investment. Self-proclaimed overseas platforms soliciting in Taiwan without local legal registration are very high risk.
Step 3 — Examine deposit/withdrawal channels
Legitimate platforms route funds to regulated brokerage/bank accounts. If you're asked to wire to a personal name or unknown company account, transfer crypto to a wallet, or use third-party collectors/private deposits, these are red flags indicating funds are outside regulatory oversight.
Step 4 — Identify fake domains and Apps
Check if the domain impersonates a well-known broker (different letter, .net/.vip, etc.), if the App is from the official App Store/Google Play (not via QR code for 'enterprise version'), and if the website shows the company's full name and unified number, not just LINE.
Step 5 — Test a small withdrawal
If you must test, deposit the minimum amount and immediately try to withdraw fully to your own account. If withdrawal requires a deposit for margin, taxes, or unfreezing, it's a scam. Stop losses and call 165.
❓ FAQ
Is a screenshot of FSC approval safe?
No. Screenshots can be forged. Check the FSC website yourself for the approved list; don't rely on images or links provided by them.
Does being able to withdraw mean it's a real platform?
Not necessarily. Scammers often allow small withdrawals early to build trust (the fattening phase). The real test is large withdrawals, and you shouldn't be asked to pay any fees upfront.