The profit-only trade requotes scam occurs when a broker manipulates the execution of a trader’s orders, requotes them only when a trade becomes profitable, while allowing immediate execution when a trade is losing. This practice is often used by unethical brokers to ensure that traders cannot secure profits but are allowed to take losses. When a trader places an order, the broker may either delay execution or change the price to an unfavourable level only after the trade becomes profitable, thus preventing the trader from locking in profits. This creates a distorted trading environment where the trader is forced to accept unfavourable prices once profits start to accumulate.

This isn’t a technical issue—it’s a deliberate tactic to suppress profitability and keep traders from making gains.

How the Scam Works

1. Trader Places a Trade and the Market Moves in Their Favour
A trader places a buy or sell order, expecting the market to move in a particular direction based on their analysis or strategy. If the trade moves in the trader’s favour and starts to show a profit, the trader tries to close the trade at a profitable price.

2. Broker Delays or Changes the Execution Price Once the Trade Becomes Profitable
When the trader tries to close their profitable position, the broker delays the execution or provides a requote, stating:

“The price has changed, please accept the new quote.”
“The market moved too quickly, please accept this new price.”

The broker may refuse to execute the order at the original price, forcing the trader to accept a less favourable price that reduces the profit or locks in a loss.

3. Broker Allows Immediate Execution for Losing Trades
On the other hand, when the trader’s position is in a loss, the broker may immediately execute the trade without any delays or requotes. This means that losing trades are processed without issue, while profitable trades are constantly requoted or delayed.

4. Trader Becomes Frustrated and Discouraged
As the trader tries to secure profits, they notice that every time the market moves in their favour, they are hit with a requote or slippage. However, if the market moves against them, their position is closed at the expected price. This creates a sense of unfair treatment and manipulation, as the trader is unable to lock in profits but can only experience losses.

5. Broker Benefits from Preventing Profits
The broker benefits in several ways from this scam:

• Increased spread or slippage on profitable trades, which reduces profits for the trader
• More control over trader accounts, ensuring that traders lose money more frequently, especially when their trades are requoted
• Increased trading volume as traders are frustrated and attempt multiple trades, which generates more fees for the broker

By consistently requoting profitable trades, the broker limits the trader’s potential profits while maximising their own revenues from spread and commission fees.

Real Case: Trader Experiences Profit-Only Requotes

A forex trader enters a buy position on EUR/USD, expecting a price increase. The market moves in the trader’s favour, and the position starts showing a profit of $500. When the trader tries to close the trade, the broker displays a requote, stating:

“The price has changed, please accept a new quote.”

The trader accepts the new quote, but the profit is reduced to $300. The trader tries again and faces another requote with an even worse price. Meanwhile, the broker immediately closes positions when they are in loss, without any delay or change in price.

The trader’s frustration grows as they realise that every profitable trade is subjected to requotes, while losses are executed immediately.

Why This Scam Is So Dangerous

The profit-only trade requotes scam is harmful because:

• It artificially limits profits, preventing traders from locking in gains while allowing them to take losses
• It creates an unfair trading environment, where only losing positions are executed immediately, and profitable trades are manipulated
• It discourages traders, as they realise their success is being hindered by deliberate actions from the broker
• It undermines trust in the broker, as traders begin to suspect that their profits are being deliberately suppressed
• It reduces the trader’s potential to succeed, making it harder to recover losses and eroding overall profitability

This scam is built on the broker’s ability to exploit profitable trades while allowing losing trades to be processed as expected, ultimately benefiting the broker at the expense of the trader.

How to Detect the Scam

1. Frequent Requotes When Trades Are Profitable
If you notice that your trades are consistently requoted only when they are in profit, it is a clear sign of manipulation. A reputable broker should not impose requotes on profitable trades but should execute trades promptly at the market price.

2. Immediate Execution for Losing Trades
If your losing trades are closed without any delay or requote, but profitable trades are subjected to delays, there is a high likelihood of manipulation. Legitimate brokers should handle all trades in a fair and consistent manner, regardless of whether they are profitable or not.

3. Increased Slippage on Profitable Trades
If you consistently experience slippage or worse-than-expected prices when trying to close profitable trades, it may be an indication of the broker intentionally manipulating the execution price to reduce your profits.

4. Unclear Terms or Inconsistent Price Execution Policies
Check the broker’s terms and conditions regarding trade execution, slippage, and requotes. If the broker does not clearly outline how they handle market orders, slippage, or requotes, or if they provide ambiguous language, this may be a sign of potential manipulation.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Choose a Regulated Broker with Transparent Practices
Ensure the broker is regulated by a trusted authority such as the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC. Regulated brokers are required to provide fair and transparent pricing and adhere to best execution practices. They should not engage in manipulative practices such as requotes on profitable trades.

2. Monitor Trade Execution

• Track the execution of your trades and compare the live market price with the price at which your trade was executed
• Use platforms that allow you to set precise entry and exit points, ensuring you can monitor whether trades are executed fairly

3. Avoid Brokers with a History of Manipulative Practices

• Research the broker’s reputation by checking reviews and forums for reports of similar issues with requotes or unfair execution
• Be cautious of brokers who have received consistent complaints about manipulation of profits or market orders

4. Test with Small Deposits
Before committing large sums, test the broker with a smaller deposit and try executing a few trades to see if the broker’s execution practices are fair. If you experience repeated requotes or poor execution, it may be a sign to move on.

Regulatory Expectations

Under MiFID II, FCA, ASIC, and CySEC regulations, brokers must:

• Provide fair and transparent trade execution and avoid manipulating trade prices to benefit the broker
• Ensure that requotes or slippage are not used as a tactic to suppress trader profits or distort the market
• Honour the best execution policy, ensuring that all trades are processed promptly and at fair prices

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties, sanctions, or license revocation for the broker.

Conclusion: If Your Profits Are Always Requoted, It’s Time to Be Cautious

The profit-only trade requotes scam is a deliberate tactic used by brokers to manipulate the execution of profitable trades and suppress trader profits, while allowing losing trades to execute as expected. This creates an unfair trading environment where traders are punished for success and only lose money on their trades.

To protect yourself, always choose a regulated broker, understand their execution policies, and monitor your trades to ensure fair treatment. If you notice consistent requotes on profitable trades, escalate the issue to a regulatory authority.

To learn more about safe trading practices and how to avoid broker manipulation, enrol in our Trading Courses. We’ll teach you how to trade confidently and protect your profits.