Fraud warning.

Warning: criminals frequently masquerade as authorised investment firms and their employees to defraud investors

We would like to draw your attention to attempted investment frauds which misuse the Firm and employees’ names.

At first glance websites, social media accounts or individuals using the name or brand of Walter Scott may appear to be legitimate, however Walter Scott does not have direct dealing with any retail clients.

Please be alert to the risk of investment fraud

Scammers may try the following:

  • Use social media to introduce you to individuals purporting to be Walter Scott members of staff. This can be particularly convincing when the scammer has taken the time to build what appears to be a genuine relationship.
  • Call you with investment offers. These calls can be intense, frequent and convincing.
  • Set up fake websites using plausible domain names, brands and content cloned from legitimate firms such as Walter Scott. These sites are used to add plausibility to the calls and lure victims.
  • Send emails which looks like they have come from Walter Scott.

Do not send any money or provide identity details to any firm/person unless you are convinced it is the legitimate contact of a regulated authorised investment firm.

If you receive an unexpected communication supposedly from Walter Scott, please exercise caution, do not share information or remit funds. Documentation, our brand, email domains, website, social media accounts and employee names can be digitally cloned by criminals seeking to obtain personal information and money from you through deception. These criminals are very determined and will do everything possible to convince you that they are legitimate. Only trust email domains, website, social media accounts, SMS / text messages or any other type of electronic or telephone contact if you have confirmed that it is legitimate contact from an authorised investment firm.

What to do in the event of fraud or attempted fraud

Any fraud or attempted fraud is a crime. If you are contacted by a fraudster or have provided any personal details or made any payment to a fraudster, submit a report to your local police force and other relevant body. In the UK, for England, Wales or Northern Ireland this is Action Fraud (0300 123 2040), if you live in Scotland report the matter directly to the police, via 101.

No member of Walter Scott staff will ever contact an individual to ask for personal information or money in relation to any personal investment activity.

Do not provide identity details or send any money to any firm unless you have confirmed it is the legitimate contact of a regulated authorised investment firm.

Walter Scott report attempted frauds to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK investment regulator. The FCA provide more information about “clone firms” and you can search their news service for recent clones. However, please be aware that fraudulent schemes are continually evolving and may not have reached the list yet.

You should also report any concerns that you might have to the appropriate investment regulator. Useful reporting links follow below:

  • In the UK the Financial Conduct Authority asks that you should report contacts from people or firms you suspect to be unauthorised. FCA scam report contact details are on the FCA website: https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam-us and there are links to the Financial Services Register and the FCA Warning List.
  • In the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission solicits tips, complaints and referrals at https://www.sec.gov/tcr

If you are aware of potentially fraudulent activity where you believe someone may be masquerading as Walter Scott, any information that you can provide may be useful. These details support our own investigations and reporting to our regulator and may provide evidence that will assist us in arranging for fake websites, email domains and social media accounts to be shut down. Please email compliance@walterscott.com attaching any suspicious emails or other information you have received. Unfortunately, we will not be able to share the results of any investigation with you.

Are you an Institutional Investor?

The information in this area of the website is intended for use by Institutional Investors and Consultants only. It is not intended for use by other investors including members of the general public.
By clicking “Yes” you hereby acknowledge, agree and represent to Walter Scott & Partners Limited that you are an Institutional Investor/Consultant and that you have read and understood the Terms and Conditions which apply.

Walter Scott & Partners Limited offers a variety of services intended solely for Institutional Clients from certain countries or regions. We do not offer these services outside of these intended countries or regions. Your country of legal residence will determine the services available to you. The information provided does not constitute an offer of or solicitation for purchase or sale of securities or provision of any investment services.