Recently, a "forex broker" that operated for a while has absconded. It is called CLEANO IMEX INC. Our backend received a large number of customer complaints and exposures, all regarding this company.
Based on our reviews, it can be seen that this scam targeted users primarily in the Southeast Asian region centered around Malaysia. The website of this fraudulent broker, cleanoimex.com, is currently inaccessible, proving its escape. Next, TraderKnows will revisit the details of this scam, and at the end of the article, we will provide some potential ways to recover funds.
The Beginning of the Scam: A Trap Behind a Suspicious Template
The website of CLEANO IMEX INC was registered in January 2025. TraderKnows included the platform in April 2025, as the site immediately seemed suspicious to us, and it was finally confirmed to be a template-based site.
From these details, it can be seen that platforms like CLEANO IMEX INC, FOSMARA IFC, and Forxl Markets are all replicas. Why do template websites likely indicate a scam?
- Fraudulent sites have a short lifespan. Unlike legitimate broker sites, they do not invest in development or UI design as these fraudsters do not intend to operate long-term and prefer ready-made templates.
- They can quickly fake a regular platform. Some template sites have sophisticated homepage structures, CTA buttons, and customer service icons, sometimes even more polished than those of legitimate brokers.
- High efficiency. If a site is reported with too many complaints, the fraudsters can seamlessly shut down the platform and then use another template for their next scam.
Using MSB to Disguise Compliance, Warnings Released on the Website
When attracting customer deposits, CLEANO IMEX INC must have shown off their so-called MSB compliance license, but this so-called license is merely a registration on the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which cannot regulate anything.
This regulatory body also warns investors on its search page not to trust these fraudsters just because their information appears on the US FinCEN website, as FinCEN does not recognize any company registered as an MSB.
In conclusion, a broker created with a website template and using MSB registration as a compliance license is undoubtedly fraudulent.
Our reviews even mentioned an AI-generated image supposedly showing CLEANO IMEX INC's entity in the US. However, from the outset, US users could not access the website, further proving it to be a fraudulent platform.
The End of the Scam: Real Voices of the Victims
A few days ago, CLEANO IMEX INC predictably absconded. Many TraderKnows users reported that they could no longer log into the platform. Many also shared screenshots of their losses, showing that some users still had funds that hadn't been withdrawn from the platform before it disappeared. Some discussions occurred in WhatsApp groups, where CLEANO IMEX INC may have lured people with promises of sure profits.
Can Lost Funds Be Recovered? Steps to Minimize Losses
First, a disclaimer: Do not trust any so-called "experts" claiming they can recover your funds, as this may lead to secondary scams.
① Stop Losses and Isolate Risks Immediately
- Cease all deposits/transfers, exit so-called "mentor/expert groups," and block related contacts.
- Preserve access evidence: Do not delete app/website accounts or alter information to prevent affecting evidence collection.
② Gather Evidence
Compile all materials into an "evidence package," including:
- Account information: Platform ID, registration email/phone number, referral link or code.
- Financial trail: Records of each deposit/withdrawal/transfer (bank receipts, e-wallet records, TXID, exchange ticket numbers).
- Communication records: WhatsApp/Telegram/emails/phone recordings, group announcements and icons, group leader numbers.
- Page evidence: Official website domain, promotional pages, KYC pages, customer service tickets, AI-generated images, promotional screenshots (with timestamps).
- Device information: App version, source of installation package, login IP/device (if obtainable).
③ Channel Complaints on Funds
- Bank card/online banking transfer: Immediately contact the issuing/bank account bank, submit a "suspicious transaction appeal/stop payment & fund tracing" with the evidence package and police report.
- Credit card payment: Request a chargeback from the issuing bank, explaining it was a "scam/misleading transaction," and provide evidence as required.
- E-wallet/third-party payment services: Begin an appeal and freeze request within the app while reporting to the platform's security/legal channels.
- Cryptocurrencies (USDT/BTC):
- Immediately contact the exchange to submit a risk control freeze application with the TXID, counter address, and police report receipt.
- For USDT involvement, also submit a freeze request to the issuer (usually requiring police filing documents).
- International Wire/SWIFT: Request the remitting bank to initiate a "recall/tracing" and have them coordinate with the receiving bank; promptly provide formal report materials.
④ Formal Reporting
- Local police/cybercrime department to file a case, obtaining a report receipt number.
- Financial regulatory and consumer protection agencies to lodge complaints, submitting payment accounts, domain names, and promotional lines.
- Domain registrars/hosting providers/CDN/social platforms to report (domain, IP, ticket link can speed up takedown and freeze).
Malaysia
- National Scam Response Centre (NSRC): Call 997 (emergency stop payment and cross-agency coordination). Led by the National Financial Crime Centre (NFCC), police emphasize this hotline for scam handling (business hours as per official announcements).
- Police Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) (PDRM): Main line 03-2610 1222, Operations Room 03-2610 1599; CCID website "Check for Scams" (SemakMule) can verify suspicious accounts/numbers.
- CyberSecurity Malaysia/MyCERT "Cyber999" assistance: Email [email protected], hotline 1300-88-2999, supporting online ticket submission.
- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Consumer Channels (BNMLINK/BNMTELELINK): eLINK online submission; Customer service 1-300-88-5465 (overseas +603-2174-1717).
- Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) Investor Complaints: Email [email protected]; InvestSmart Consumer & Investor Office +603-6204-8999, email [email protected]; online complaint portal on the SC website under "Lodge a Complaint/Whistleblowing".
Philippines
- PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG): Online e-Complaint submission (ACG website "ACG eComplaint/Create New Complaint").
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI): Online complaint portal (NBI website "Online Complaint/Report to NBI").
- CICC (Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center) I-ARC National Anti-Fraud Hotline 1326; Complaint email [email protected]
- (The official explanation directs complaints to this email/form).
- Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): iMessage complaint portal (imessage.sec.gov.ph), SEC pages direct to this ticket system for complaints.
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Consumer Assistance Mechanism (CAM/CAMS): Email [email protected]; direct line (02) 5306-2584; the website provides submission and phone channel instructions.
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Complaints: CAReS Online System (consumercare.dti.gov.ph); Customer hotline 1-DTI (1384); email [email protected]/[email protected].
Disclaimer:
Some of the information and contacts involved in this article have been collated from public networks and are for reference only. TraderKnows does not guarantee its completeness or timeliness. Readers are advised to verify the authenticity of the relevant information and make cautious judgments to avoid being scammed again.
