The commission plan manipulated after onboarding scam occurs when a broker alters the agreed-upon commission or fee structure after a trader has already signed up and deposited funds. This change is often disguised as a policy update, system glitch, or account review and typically occurs after the trader has gained a significant amount of profits or become accustomed to the original fee structure. The broker uses this tactic to increase their own revenue at the trader’s expense, often through unexpected fee hikes, widened spreads, or added commissions that were not part of the original terms.

This isn’t an unexpected change—it’s a deliberate attempt to extract more money from traders after they’ve committed to the platform.

How the Scam Works

1. Trader Joins the Broker with a Specific Commission Plan
The trader signs up and is presented with an attractive commission structure, such as:

• Low spreads and commissions
• A fixed commission per trade
• No hidden fees or fees based on volume
• Clear, transparent pricing based on the original agreement

At this point, the trader makes a deposit, sets up their trading strategy, and begins trading.

2. Broker Alters the Commission Plan After Onboarding
After the trader has been active on the platform for some time and accrued profits, they are informed that:

• The commission plan has changed
• New fees will be applied or existing fees will be increased
• The broker might claim it’s due to “market conditions” or “regulatory changes”

For example:

• Spreads may be widened on previously low-cost pairs
• A fixed commission plan becomes a variable commission
• Hidden fees may be added on trade execution or withdrawals
• The account type may be changed from low-cost to a more expensive version without notification

3. Broker Claims the Change is a ‘System Update’ or ‘Policy Change’
The broker’s support will respond with vague explanations such as:

“Due to market volatility, the spreads have been adjusted.”
“We’ve updated our commission structure to match industry standards.”
“This update is for your account tier to ensure better service.”

However, the changes usually don’t align with industry standards or market conditions but instead benefit the broker’s bottom line by extracting more from the trader.

4. Trader’s Profitability Decreases Due to Increased Costs
The new fees may drastically affect the trader’s:

• Profit margins on each trade
• Risk-to-reward ratio
• Overall return on investment

In many cases, this can result in the trader losing profitability or incurring unexpected losses, especially if the trader has a large position or relies on a low-commission model to execute high-frequency trades.

5. Broker May Also Block Withdrawals or Claim ‘Suspicious Activity’
In some instances, after the commission plan changes, the broker might also:

• Limit the trader’s ability to withdraw funds
• Claim that “suspicious trading activity” was detected due to the increased costs

This is a tactic to retain funds and prevent the trader from withdrawing until the broker has extracted as much as possible.

Real Case: Trader’s Commission Plan Increased After Profitable Month

A trader signs up with a broker offering a fixed commission plan of $5 per lot. After three months of profitable trading, the trader receives an email saying:

“We’ve updated our commission plan due to recent changes in liquidity. Your new commission will be $15 per lot.”

The trader notices that their costs have tripled and that the broker’s pricing no longer matches the original plan. Support claims:

“We’re adjusting fees across the board to better align with market conditions.”

The trader is left with no choice but to either accept the higher fees or move to a less competitive broker.

Why This Scam Is So Dangerous

The commission plan manipulated after onboarding scam is dangerous because:

• It’s often hidden in fine print or described as an “update,” which many traders don’t notice until it’s too late
• It reduces profitability for the trader, increasing costs on already tight margins
• It can lock traders into contracts or systems where moving to a new broker is costly or impractical
• It’s nearly impossible to dispute, as brokers can claim the changes are due to market conditions or system upgrades
• It puts traders in a position where they may lose trust in the broker, but have already committed time and resources to their platform

This tactic unfairly shifts the risk to the trader without their consent, undermining fair competition.

How to Detect the Scam

1. Review Terms and Conditions Thoroughly
If the broker frequently updates their terms without sufficient notice or justification, this is a red flag. Look for:

• Clauses about fee structures or commission adjustments
• Terms that allow them to change fees at their discretion with minimal warning

2. Monitor Your Account for Sudden Fee Increases
If your spreads widen, your commissions increase, or new fees appear without clear explanation, look for discrepancies between what you agreed to initially and what is now being charged.

3. Compare the New Fee Structure with Industry Standards
If the new commissions or spreads far exceed industry norms, or are higher than what other brokers charge for similar services, this is a clear attempt to fleece you.

4. Look for Patterns of Unexplained Changes
If the broker’s pricing model changes after you start becoming profitable, this is likely a sign of manipulation.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Always Verify Fee Structures Before Signing Up
Make sure to:

• Read the full commission structure before you deposit funds
• Check for hidden fees such as withdrawal or conversion fees
• Ask the broker about any possible fee changes that could occur after onboarding

2. Choose Brokers with Transparent and Fixed Fee Models
Opt for brokers that provide fixed spreads and transparent fees that do not change arbitrarily, especially when you begin to see significant profits. Regulated brokers tend to offer stable, predictable commission models.

3. Withdraw Profits Regularly to Test the System
After reaching a profit milestone, attempt a small withdrawal to test the process. If the broker denies or delays this withdrawal without clear justification, it could indicate a scam in progress.

4. Keep Your Broker’s Terms in Writing
Ensure you have a copy of the original commission plan or any agreements you made when you signed up, and refer to it if there is any change. If a broker changes the terms, they should be legally obligated to honour the original agreement.

5. Report to Regulators if You Are Affected
If you feel the broker has wrongfully manipulated the commission structure, file a complaint with the appropriate regulatory authority (e.g., FCA, ASIC, or CySEC). Brokers found violating fair practice standards can face fines or loss of licences.

Regulatory Expectations

Regulated brokers must:

• Clearly disclose all commission and fee structures to clients at the time of account opening
• Ensure that changes to fees or commissions are fully transparent and fair
• Allow clients to opt out of any significant changes to the commission structure
• Honor original agreements, particularly if they were made in writing or signed

Failure to do so constitutes misrepresentation and can lead to regulatory penalties or licence revocation.

Conclusion: If Your Commission Plan Suddenly Changes, Your Broker May Be Trying to Profit from You

The commission plan manipulated after onboarding scam is a blatant attempt by brokers to increase their earnings at your expense after you’ve already committed funds and strategy. This hidden fee change can significantly damage your profitability and give you no recourse to fight the change.

To avoid being taken advantage of, always carefully read the terms, monitor your fees, and withdraw profits regularly to test the system. If the broker refuses to honour the terms you agreed to, report them to the regulators immediately.

To learn more about protecting your trading capital, recognising hidden fee traps, and ensuring fair trading practices, enrol in our Trading Courses. We’ll show you how to stay in control of your trading costs and avoid commission-based scams.