Trust is a key driver of decision-making in the trading world, and scammers know it. To falsely appear legitimate, many fraudulent brokers and investment schemes now resort to one of the boldest tactics in financial deception: the Forged Tier-1 Bank Documents Scam. This involves creating fake proof of banking relationships with globally trusted financial institutions—such as HSBC, JPMorgan, or Barclays—to win client confidence and justify large deposits.

This article explains how the scam works, the red flags to watch for, and how to verify whether a broker’s banking claim is truly legitimate or a complete fabrication.

What Is the Forged Tier-1 Bank Documents Scam?

The Forged Tier-1 Bank Documents Scam involves scammers creating or altering financial documents—such as bank letters, SWIFT confirmations, or custody account statements—to falsely claim:

• A “secure banking relationship” with a top-tier bank
• Segregated client funds in a high-security account
• Third-party protection or insurance from the bank
• Verification of assets or liquidity for investor assurance

These documents are used to:

• Convince traders to deposit larger amounts
• Justify delays in withdrawals (“waiting for bank clearance”)
• Mislead regulators, affiliates, or investors

The documents are entirely fake, often using stolen bank branding, forged signatures, or fraudulent formatting.

How the Scam Works

Step 1: The Broker Claims Association With a Tier-1 Bank

The website or agent states:

“Client funds are held securely in segregated accounts with HSBC London.”
“Our liquidity and withdrawals are processed through JPMorgan Chase.”

They may showcase:

• A bank logo on the footer of the website
• Downloadable “confirmation letters”
• Screenshots of SWIFT transactions

Step 2: Documents Are Shared as “Proof”

When questioned or during due diligence, the broker sends:

• PDF letters on forged letterhead
• Screenshots of emails “from bank managers”
• Excel-based custodial fund statements with bank branding

These documents are often:

• Copied from public sources and edited
• Signed by fictitious staff
• Dated and formatted incorrectly

Step 3: Client Makes a Large Deposit or Trusts the Platform

Reassured by the appearance of banking ties, the trader:

• Deposits a substantial sum
• Delays withdrawal requests
• Recommends the broker to others

If the client requests their money back or investigates further, the broker either:

• Stalls withdrawals using more bank-related excuses
• Shuts down communication
• Disappears entirely

Red Flags to Watch For

Bank Document Contains Obvious Errors

Forged documents often include:

• Generic email addresses (e.g. support@bank.com)
• Incorrect formatting of account numbers or SWIFT codes
• Spelling mistakes and poor grammar

No Way to Independently Verify the Bank Contact

If you can’t contact the bank representative independently (using public bank contact details), the document is untrustworthy.

No Regulator Requires These Documents

Brokers under serious regulation (FCA, ASIC, CySEC) do not rely on third-party documents to prove segregation of funds—it’s handled via audited processes.

Pushback When Asked to Verify

If the broker refuses to connect you with the bank directly or claims “the relationship is confidential,” they’re hiding something.

Documents Are Sent in Non-Secure Formats

High-security financial documents are rarely sent via Telegram or unprotected email PDFs. If they are, it’s likely a fabrication.

How to Protect Yourself

Verify Broker Regulation First—Not Bank Claims

Tier-1 banks do not give credibility to brokers; regulators do. Always check if the broker is licensed by a credible authority like the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC.

Check the Bank Directly

Call or email the bank using publicly listed contact details. Ask if the document is genuine or if the person named exists.

Inspect Documents for Errors

Use tools to analyse PDF metadata, verify SWIFT code validity, and compare to authentic formats from the bank’s own website.

Refuse to Deposit Based on Unverified Proof

If a broker pressures you with “proof of security” without verifiable third-party auditing, do not deposit.

Use Only Platforms With Public, Regulator-Verified Custody Solutions

Some brokers use real banks and name them publicly—with regulatory filings and audit trails to prove it.

Conclusion

The Forged Tier-1 Bank Documents Scam is a textbook case of social engineering, using false associations with respected institutions to gain access to your funds. The documents may look professional, but a closer inspection reveals they’re built on deception—not real banking relationships.

To master the skills to analyse, detect, and defend against these sophisticated scams, enrol in our advanced Trading Courses designed to teach document forensics, broker due diligence, and how to secure your capital in a world full of fake credibility.