The Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA” or “the Authority”) has become aware of an entity operating under the name of Venra Bank which has an internet presence at venra.org. Although this entity purports itself as being affiliated with an MFSA license holder and purports to operate from an address in Malta, the MFSA believes that this is not the case. From information available to the MFSA, Venra Bank claims to be a banking service provider.
The MFSA wishes to alert the public that Venra Bank is NEITHER a Maltese registered Company NOR licensed or otherwise authorised by the MFSA to provide any banking financial services which are required to be licensed or otherwise authorised under Maltese law. Furthermore, information available to the MFSA suggests that Venra Bank is likely to be a scheme of dubious nature with a high risk of loss of money. The public should therefore refrain from entering into any transactions or otherwise dealing with the above-mentioned company or individual on any matters falling within the parameters of the Financial Institutions Act, Chapter 376 of the Laws of Malta.
The MFSA would like to remind consumers of financial services not to enter into any financial services transaction unless they have ascertained that the entity with whom the transaction is being made is authorised to provide such services by the MFSA or another reputable financial services regulator. Investors should also be extra cautious when being approached with offers of financial services via unconventional channels such as telephone calls or social media.
A list of entities licensed by the MFSA can be viewed on the official website of the MFSA at https://www.mfsa.mt/financial-services-register/. For more information on financial scams please refer to the consumer-focused portal ScamAlert.mt to keep yourself informed on red flags.
If you are a victim of a scam or think you might be dealing with an unauthorised entity or any other type of financial scam, first of all stop all transactions with the company and contact the MFSA at https://www.mfsa.mt/about-us/contact/ as soon as a suspicion arises.
