Crypto-investment fraud keeps scaling: in 2024, scam wallets took in at least $9.9B on-chain (a lower-bound figure that rises as investigators attribute more addresses). Scammers are evolving faster than regulators — spinning up convincing brokerage sites and messenger funnels in hours.
This investment company now appears on Canadian regulator lists. The BC Securities Commission (BCSC) added Bittmarket to its Investment Caution List on Oct 20, 2025, flagging it as not registered in BC and linking it to bittmarket.com. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) mirror that alert, confirming cross-jurisdiction concern.
What Bittmarket claims — in its own words (verbatim)
- “Are you looking for a stable, reliable, guaranteed weekly income?” (homepage, FAQ, shares, trade pages).
- “Trade with confidence — Bittmarket™ is an internationally regulated broker.” (forex page).
These claims are irreconcilable with the BCSC’s status note that the investment company is not registered to deal or advise in BC. That contradiction is powerful misrepresentation evidence for bank/fintech disputes and exchange escalations.
How the funnel works (pattern we observed)
- Ad → landing page → WhatsApp/Telegram with “account managers,” then pressure to “upgrade” for pro spreads or signals.
- Dashboard theatre: on-screen “profits” with no verifiable execution; withdrawals blocked by surprise “security reserve,” “unlock fee,” or never-ending AML reviews.
- Silence/suspension when users question licensing or refuse new payments.
Regulator record:
• BCSC Investment Caution List: Bittmarket (bittmarket.com), not registered, published Oct 20, 2025.
• CSA Investor Alerts: Bittmarket — BCSC (BC), Oct 20, 2025.
Victim Story (Case Study)
“Sonia,” 56, BC homeowner — total loss: C$27,800
Sonia clicked a Facebook ad for “daily crypto income.” After a discovery call, she deposited C$1,200. The dashboard showed steady wins; a “strategist” pushed a VIP tier for “AI signals.” Over seven weeks she sent C$27,800 via card and crypto.
When she requested C$4,000, support demanded a 15% “regulatory reserve.” She refused; the account moved to “enhanced AML review,” chats were muted, and emails slowed. She describes anxiety and shame — a common emotional arc in investment-fraud survivors.
(Composite/anonymized; aligns with patterns regulators highlight for unregistered brokers.)
Our Investigative Findings
1) Regulator triangulation
- BCSC caution entry ties Bittmarket to bittmarket.com and states not registered in BC.
- CSA Investor Alerts index confirms the same listing/date.
- BCSC Caution List explainer: entities may be unregistered, promote investments that show signs of fraud, or impersonate authorised firms.
2) Site evidence pack (URLs & wording)
- “Guaranteed weekly income” repeated across multiple pages,
- “Internationally regulated broker” claim on
/forex.
3) Public complaint & risk signals (supporting)
- Trustpilot (bittmarket.com): 1-star review alleging a fake site (Jul 12, 2025). Sample size is small, but it establishes public complaints exist.
- Automated risk scanners flag low trust (35/100) and recommend avoiding the domain (Aug 14, 2025). Treat as corroboration, not primary proof.
- Scam-profilers also warn to exercise extreme caution with bittmarket.com. Again, this is supporting context.
Why this matters
Authorised Canadian platforms are subject to registration, conduct, and complaints frameworks. Unregistered entities like Bittmarket sit outside those guardrails — which is precisely why the BCSC/CSA signal matters.
Immediate Actions & Recovery Pathway
- Stop further payments
Freeze card/fintech/crypto transfers — especially any “unlock fee,” “tax prepayment,” or “security reserve.” - Preserve evidence
Export account statements, chat logs, emails (with full headers), dashboard screenshots, wallet addresses/txids, and any KYC you submitted.
Record the regulator identifiers: Bittmarket — BCSC caution list (Oct 20, 2025) - Notify your bank/processor
Open a fraud dispute/chargeback; request a case reference. For crypto, collect txids and exchange account IDs. - Regulator & law-enforcement reports (Canada-first)
- BCSC Investment Caution List (hub & reporting guidance): https://www.bcsc.bc.ca/enforcement/early-intervention/investment-caution-list
- CSA Investor Alerts index: https://www.securities-administrators.ca/investor-alerts/
- Keep regulator reference numbers for follow-ups.
- Secure devices & accounts
Change passwords; enable 2FA; revoke any API keys or exchange withdrawal whitelists you shared.
How Melmac Solutions (via ScamFindings) Fits In — Step by Step
Step A — Forensic Wallet Trace (if crypto used)
We trace on-chain flows from your txids to exchanges/bridges and prepare an Exchange Disclosure Package (EDP) for compliance teams.
Step B — Exchange & Platform Escalations
We send structured notices to identified venues to flag/preserve assets and evidence. For cards/fintechs, we draft scheme-aligned dispute narratives emphasising misrepresentation (e.g., “internationally regulated broker,” “guaranteed weekly income”) with screenshots/URLs.
Step C — Regulator/Law-Enforcement Pack
A concise brief (timeline, counterparties, evidence map) to attach to your BCSC/CSA filings and police reports.
Step D — Civil Options (as needed)
If funds touched identifiable entities, we can connect you with vetted counsel for injunctions or disclosure orders. We’re transparent on probabilities and cost/benefit. Also, if funds touched unidentifiable entities, we can connect you with vetted fraud analyst, and forensic experts for possible recovery solutions.
Learn more: How to report crypto scams in 2025
FAQs: Bittmarket
Is Bittmarket registered in Canada/BC?
No. The BCSC lists Bittmarket on its Investment Caution List and states it is not registered in BC (Oct 20, 2025). The CSA mirrors that alert.
The site says “internationally regulated broker” and “guaranteed weekly income.” What does that mean?
These are misrepresentation red flags. They conflict with the BCSC status. Capture screenshots/URLs; they help bank/fintech disputes and exchange escalations.
Are there public complaints?
Yes — e.g., a 1-star Trustpilot entry (small sample) and multiple risk-scanner flags. Treat these as corroboration alongside regulator records
Can funds be recovered?
It depends on speed, evidence quality, and whether funds hit compliant banks/exchanges. A forensic trace can reveal viable paths.
