I have been scammed out of £16,750 by Plus Option.
I read an article online about binary options trading and followed a link to find out more and submitted my contact details. I was contacted by James Rivera from Plus Option and at first I said I wasn't interested as it sounded like a scam. Eventually I was convinced to take out a contract so they could prove to me they could make me money. Initially I deposited £250 so they could demonstrate that they could make me money. I then had an Account Manager contact me, Ricardo Alesi who persuaded me to deposit £5000 (from my debit card), he increased my balance and then pressured me into depositing another £5000 (deposited from my credit card).
Ricardo told me about an 'event' that was guaranteed to almost double my money so I put almost everything onto trades under his instruction. Funnily enough, I lost the trades.
I was told that it was a mistake on their part and if I deposited more money, they would also add bonus money to my account to recover my losses. This basically just kept happening, I would win then lose and then lost everything and I've been desperate to recover my money so have followed their guidance.
I was then working with Julian Hanson who is meant to be a recovery manager. He pressured me into depositing more money, even tried to make me go over my credit card limit. He convinced me that trading in oil is a safe and guaranteed way to make money. They had my credit details on file, Julian tried to deposit £3000 (which was over my limited and I had explained this) which was declined so I was talked into depositing another £1000 from my credit card.
Again, the "safe" oil trades all lost after Julian convinced me I was guaranteed to win substantially.
I tried repeatedly to contact them but did not recieve any response. I sent numerous emails, I could not get through by phone. After about 2 weeks, I was contacted by Nicholas Dukes, apparently another recovery manager, who said they can credit my account with another bonus if I continue to trade with them and agree to sign a waiver so I cannot pursue any legal action.
I have repeatedly asked Nicholas Dukes at Plus Option to meet with me face to face which he has declined. He offered to speak with me over the phone for 20-30 minutes as they want me to continue depositing money and trading telling me they can recover my money eventually, I asked to meet him at the Plus Option office in London, Warwick Lane EC4, as stated on his email signature. He keeps declining saying they are too busy and can only talk over the phone.
I have researched registered businesses on Warwick Lane and cannot find any details of Plus Option having an office in any of the buildings.
I have sought legal advice from two different solicitors who specialise in binary and forex trading fraud, they both have told me I have most certainly been defrauded and already have cases ongoing with Plus Option. The solicitors are Giambrone Law, 0207 183 942 and Selachii LLP, 0207 792 5649. I have learned from the solicitors that the online trading dashboard and account is fictitious. It is software controlled by Plus Option. I have not seen any evidence that my money has actually been placed on genuine trades. The service promised is false.
I have not cancelled my account with Plus Option, as I currently still have access to my online dashboard and therefore, evidence of the deposits I have made and the fraudulent trading that has taken place.
My account shows a balance of £299 but I am not able to withdraw anything, the functionality is not there.
I am 100% certain this company has defrauded me. They have preyed on my vulnerability as I had told them I wanted to make money on my savings in order to help support my parents move to a more suitable home as my Father is terminally ill. They also knew I am currently not working and have no source of income, hence how they managed to convince me to get caught up in this vicious cycle of them making me money and then losing everything, pressuring me to keep depositing more money in a desperate attempt to recover my funds.
These people are VERY convincing and work hard to build your trust until you are in a position where you feel trapped and desperate.
I've not been able to recover any money.