Mexico's financial consumer protection agency, Condusef, warned on 3 November that criminals are impersonating Grupo Financiero Barclays México to sell fake investment courses and collect money through a fraudulent mobile app, according to reports by Infobae and Milenio. The scheme starts with Facebook ads and moves victims into WhatsApp groups where they are pushed to invest.
The hook. According to Infobae, unknown Facebook profiles promise to turn users into "investment specialists". Victims are then moved to WhatsApp groups with names such as "D115 Academia Financiera Barclays", where they get instructions to sign up for and complete the supposed courses.
The fake app. Once the course is "passed", the fraudsters push victims to download an app to make an initial investment and put what they learned into practice, offered as "Regular Investor" or "VIP Investor". Condusef identified the app as KapitalMex. The scammers keep in constant contact to build trust over time.
The trap. The breaking point comes when victims try to withdraw their money or supposed returns. The fraudsters demand upfront payments for commissions, taxes or processing, claiming these cannot be deducted from the balance. After receiving the payment, they cut all contact. Condusef also said the same scheme may apply to an "800% Valuation Programme" promising more than 800% returns after five months.
Real details, fake channels. Condusef received reports from Barclays Capital Casa de Bolsa and Barclays Bank México. According to Infobae, the scammers reuse the firms' real corporate address and real institutional phone number, alongside more than 20 fake phone numbers and fake websites such as barclaysmx.com, trade.blctrading.net and trade.blctrading.com. The institution's official site is investmentbank.barclays.com.
Why it matters
Borrowed credibility. Condusef stressed that Grupo Financiero Barclays México does not offer investment services to individuals, does not run training courses and does not create WhatsApp groups for that purpose. Barclays also posted a notice saying the group is not a public-facing entity and does not contact clients through social media, email, phone or intermediaries.
Condusef's advice:
- Check any institution in SIPRES, Mexico's public registry of financial service providers, and confirm its details match.
- Contact firms only through the official channels listed in that registry.
- Never deposit or transfer money to personal accounts.
- Do not hand over money before signing a formal, verified contract.
- Distrust any upfront payment to "release", "manage" or "activate" an investment or loan.
- For free guidance, call Condusef on 55 53 400 999.
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