How to Spot Investment Scams and Protect Those Around You with 1nvest

77% of South Africans have encountered an investment scam — and 42% lost real money. In this 1nvest webcast, Simon Brown sits down with compliance officer Karabo Shole and Lungile Macuacua to unpack what it actually takes to give financial advice legally, how to spot fraudsters in the digital age, and practical ways to protect not just yourself but the people around you.

What We Cover 🗂️

⚖️ The legal requirements for giving financial advice — FAIS Act, fit and proper, and why it matters
🎓 Financial education vs financial advice — where the line falls
📱 How social media became a launchpad for investment fraud
🔓 The access revolution — more South Africans investing (and being scammed) than ever before
🔍 Using the FSCA register to verify advisors, licences, and product categories
🛡️ Practical ways to protect your family and community from scams
🔑 Family safety phrases, pause calls, and the withdrawal test
📊 The numbers — 77% encounter rate, R200,000+ losses, and the Luminary Securities case

Key Takeaways 💡

Anyone giving financial advice must be registered under the FAIS Act and meet fit and proper requirements across four pillars: honesty and integrity, competence, operational ability, and continuous compliance. Even registered advisors can only advise on specific product categories they are licensed for.
The FSCA register is your first line of defence. Check three things: does the entity appear, is the licence active, and does the licence category match what they are actually offering you?
Scams travel through trusted networks. Instead of confronting someone with “that’s a scam,” try collaborative verification — look it up on the FSCA register together. Objective evidence is more persuasive and protects the relationship.
Agree on a family safety phrase — a code word only your inner circle knows. A voice clone or deep fake cannot provide it, giving you a permanent defence against impersonation.
In 2026, protecting your portfolio is not just about diversification and fees. Digital awareness — knowing who you are talking to, who you are invested with, and recognising a fabricated platform — is now an essential investing skill.