
Based on looking at the website, Elitestandardtrade.com appears to be a platform offering CFD Contract for Difference trading across various financial instruments, including Forex, Gold, Oil, Cryptocurrencies, Indices, and Shares.
However, a thorough review reveals several red flags concerning its legitimacy and ethical considerations, particularly from an Islamic perspective where interest-based transactions riba and excessive uncertainty gharar are prohibited.
The promise of “guaranteed returns” and the general nature of CFD trading inherently involve significant risks and elements that are often not aligned with Islamic financial principles.
Overall Review Summary:
- Website Transparency: Lacks clear regulatory information, company registration details, and verifiable physical address.
- Investment Model: Focuses on CFD trading and offers “plans” with fixed returns, which are characteristic of high-risk schemes.
- Risk Disclosure: Insufficient emphasis on the high risks associated with CFD trading, especially given the “guaranteed return” claims.
- Customer Testimonials: Generic and unverifiable. often a hallmark of deceptive platforms.
- Ethical Compliance Islamic Perspective: The core business model of CFD trading and the promised “principal return on maturity” strongly suggest interest-based transactions riba and excessive speculative elements gharar, which are impermissible in Islam.
- Trust Indicators: No reputable financial licenses displayed, no independent audit reports, and no verifiable partnerships with tier-one financial institutions.
The allure of “guaranteed returns” in financial markets is a significant red flag.
Legitimate trading platforms emphasize risk management and do not promise fixed, high returns, as market dynamics are inherently unpredictable.
For Muslims, engaging in such activities is problematic due to the presence of riba interest and gharar excessive uncertainty or speculation. These elements violate fundamental Islamic financial principles that prioritize ethical wealth accumulation through legitimate trade and real asset-backed transactions.
Rather than chasing quick, risky gains, it’s always better to explore ethical and transparent investment avenues that align with one’s values and long-term financial well-being.
Best Ethical Alternatives for Wealth Accumulation Non-Edible & Non-Forbidden:
- Islamic Banking Services: Many reputable banks now offer Sharia-compliant accounts, financing, and investment products. These typically involve asset-backed transactions, profit-sharing models Mudarabah, Musharakah, and leases Ijarah rather than interest-based lending.
- Key Features: Sharia-compliant financing, profit-sharing investment accounts, ethical asset management.
- Average Price: Varies by service. account fees, profit-sharing arrangements.
- Pros: Adherence to Islamic principles, promotes ethical finance, often transparent.
- Cons: Limited availability in some regions, products may be less diverse than conventional banking.
- Halal Investment Funds: These funds invest in companies that comply with Sharia law, avoiding industries like alcohol, gambling, conventional finance, and unethical entertainment.
- Key Features: Diversified portfolios, Sharia-compliant screening, professional management.
- Average Price: Management fees e.g., 0.5% – 2% annually.
- Pros: Diversification, professional management, ethical investment, easy access to Sharia-compliant portfolios.
- Cons: Performance can vary, fees apply, screening criteria can sometimes be broad.
- Ethical Real Estate Investment: Investing in real physical properties, either directly or through Sharia-compliant REITs Real Estate Investment Trusts, can be a permissible way to generate income through rental yield or capital appreciation.
- Key Features: Tangible assets, potential for rental income and appreciation, diverse investment strategies.
- Average Price: Significant capital required for direct investment. REITs have lower entry points.
- Pros: Real asset-backed, potential for stable income, inflation hedge.
- Cons: Less liquid, requires significant capital or specific fund access, market fluctuations.
- Commodity Trading Spot Contracts: Unlike CFDs, spot commodity trading involves the immediate exchange of real goods e.g., precious metals like gold and silver, agricultural products rather than just speculating on price movements. This can be done ethically if strict Sharia guidelines on possession and risk transfer are followed.
- Key Features: Real asset ownership, direct transaction, often physical delivery or immediate constructive possession.
- Average Price: Varies by commodity. brokerage fees.
- Pros: Tangible assets, permissible under strict conditions, can be a hedge against inflation.
- Cons: Requires deep understanding of markets, storage/delivery considerations, highly volatile.
- Zakat-Eligible Charitable Giving: While not an investment, active participation in Zakat and Sadaqah charity is a fundamental Islamic principle that ensures spiritual wealth and purification of existing assets. It contributes to societal well-being and is highly rewarded.
- Key Features: Spiritual reward, social impact, poverty alleviation, wealth purification.
- Average Price: Variable. 2.5% of eligible wealth for Zakat, voluntary for Sadaqah.
- Pros: Fulfills religious obligation, aids the needy, spiritual growth, blesses wealth.
- Cons: Not a financial return in the worldly sense, requires careful calculation.
- Sharia-Compliant Equity Investing: Investing directly in the shares of Sharia-compliant companies those not involved in prohibited activities, with acceptable debt levels is a permissible way to participate in real business growth.
- Key Features: Ownership stake in real businesses, potential for dividends and capital gains, ethical screening.
- Average Price: Varies by stock price. brokerage commissions.
- Pros: Ethical, potential for growth, diversified across industries.
- Cons: Market volatility, requires research and due diligence, need for ongoing screening.
- Micro-financing Initiatives: Supporting micro-financing platforms that provide interest-free or profit-sharing loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs in developing communities. This fosters economic empowerment and is a form of ethical investment.
- Key Features: Social impact, ethical lending, direct support to entrepreneurs.
- Average Price: Varies by investment amount. often low returns or no direct financial return focus is impact.
- Pros: High social impact, ethical, helps vulnerable communities.
- Cons: Financial returns are often minimal or non-existent, higher risk of default, not a traditional investment.
Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.
IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.
Elitestandardtrade.com Review & First Look
Based on a thorough examination of Elitestandardtrade.com, the initial impression is one of a sleek, modern trading platform promising high returns on various financial instruments.
They highlight features like “tighter spreads,” “faster execution,” and “premium trader tools.” However, seasoned observers of online financial platforms know that the devil is in the details, and a slick interface doesn’t always equate to legitimacy or ethical operations.
The site’s primary offering revolves around CFDs Contracts for Difference, a financial derivative that allows speculation on price movements without owning the underlying asset.
This immediately raises a red flag for those concerned with Islamic finance principles.
The Allure of CFD Trading
The website extensively promotes trading CFDs on a wide range of assets: Forex, Gold, Oil, Cryptocurrencies, Indices, and Shares.
- Forex: “Trade 70 major, minor & exotic currency pairs with competitive trading conditions.” This is a standard offering for forex brokers.
- Shares: “Hundreds of public companies from the US, UK, Germany and more available to trade.” Again, common for CFD platforms.
- Energies: “Discover opportunities on UK & US Crude Oil as well as Natural Gas.” Access to commodities.
- Indices: “Trade major and minor Index CFDs from around the globe.” Allows speculation on market benchmarks.
- Cryptocurrency: They specifically mention Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Dogecoin, describing them as decentralized digital currencies. The site even provides basic explanations of these cryptocurrencies, which is a common tactic to appear educational and trustworthy.
The central issue here is the nature of CFDs themselves.
In Islamic finance, the core principle is that trade should involve the transfer of ownership of a real asset or benefit, with clear risk and reward.
CFDs, however, are essentially agreements to pay the difference in the price of an asset between the time a contract is opened and when it is closed.
There’s no actual transfer of ownership, making them highly speculative and often akin to gambling in the eyes of many Islamic scholars due to excessive uncertainty gharar and the potential for interest-based rollover fees.
Transparency and Regulatory Claims
A critical aspect of any legitimate financial institution is transparency regarding its regulatory status. Freesmsreceive.io Review
Elitestandardtrade.com makes a bold claim: “Globally Regulated.”
- Lack of Specifics: This statement is highly vague. Which global regulators? Under which jurisdictions? A truly regulated broker will prominently display its license numbers, the names of the regulatory bodies, and often links to their registration pages. The absence of such specific, verifiable information is a significant concern.
- “40+ International Awards”: Another unsubstantiated claim. There are no mentions of specific awards or the awarding bodies. This is a common tactic used by fraudulent platforms to create an illusion of credibility.
- Segregated Client Funds: They state, “Segregated Client Funds” and “Client funds market leading insurance – Insurance up to $1,000,000.” While segregating client funds is a best practice, without proper regulation and independent oversight, this claim is meaningless. The “insurance” claim is also highly suspicious. typically, investor compensation schemes are tied to specific regulatory bodies, not a blanket “insurance” offered by an unregulated entity.
Without clear, verifiable regulatory information, any platform operating in the financial space should be approached with extreme caution. The lack of an identifiable legal entity, physical address, or registration number is a major red flag.
Elitestandardtrade.com Pros & Cons
When evaluating a platform like Elitestandardtrade.com, it’s crucial to weigh its purported advantages against its significant drawbacks, especially when considering ethical and legitimate financial practices.
Given the nature of this platform, the “pros” are largely superficial or unverified, while the “cons” highlight fundamental issues.
The Illusion of Pros
The website attempts to present a picture of a robust and user-friendly trading environment.
However, these “pros” are largely based on unverifiable claims and the general features of CFD trading, which itself is problematic.
- Diverse Range of Trading Instruments Unverified: The platform claims to offer “Forex, Gold, Oil, Cryptocurrency, Indices, Share CFDs & More.”
- Claim: Access to a wide market gives traders many opportunities.
- Reality: While offering a broad range is standard for CFD brokers, the legitimacy of execution and pricing remains questionable without regulatory oversight. The breadth of instruments itself doesn’t make a platform trustworthy.
- Advanced Trading Tools & Platforms Unverified: They mention “Trading Tools: Plan your trades effectively with our wide range of free trading tools,” “Powerful platforms to suit all trading styles and needs on any device,” and integration with “Financial Markets by TradingView.”
- Claim: Sophisticated technology for informed trading.
- Reality: Many scam platforms license or mimic legitimate trading interfaces. The presence of a trading platform doesn’t guarantee fair trading conditions, especially if the broker manipulates prices or execution. The integration with TradingView is just for market data, not an endorsement of the broker’s legitimacy.
- “Competitive” Spreads & “Fast Execution” Unverified: They highlight “Tighter spreads,” “Faster execution,” “Premium spreads,” and “Fast execution from an NY4 server facility.”
- Claim: Optimal trading conditions for maximizing profits.
- Reality: These are standard marketing boasts in the forex/CFD industry. Without independent verification or regulatory oversight, there’s no guarantee these claims are true. Unregulated brokers can easily manipulate spreads and execution to their advantage.
- “Ultimate Insurance” Highly Suspect: The website states, “Client funds market leading insurance – Insurance up to $1,000,000.”
- Claim: Your funds are secure and protected.
- Reality: This is a virtually impossible claim for an unregulated entity. Legitimate client fund protection is typically provided by government-backed investor compensation schemes linked to specific financial regulations, not a self-proclaimed “ultimate insurance” from an unknown entity. This is a classic tactic used by fraudulent operations to instill false confidence.
- “24/5 Multilingual Customer Support” Unverified: They claim, “Our local and international teams are here to support you on a 24/5 basis in more than 20 languages.”
- Claim: Accessible and responsive support.
- Reality: While good customer service is a plus, this claim is easily made. The quality and responsiveness of support are only truly tested when issues arise, and for scam platforms, support often disappears when withdrawal requests are made.
Overwhelming Cons and Red Flags
The list of drawbacks for Elitestandardtrade.com is substantial and points towards a high-risk, potentially fraudulent operation.
- Unverified Regulatory Status Major Red Flag: The claim “Globally Regulated” is vague and unsubstantiated. There’s no specific license number, regulatory body name, or jurisdiction provided. This is the most critical red flag for any financial service.
- Guaranteed Returns and Fixed Investment Plans Typical Scam Tactic: The “Awesome Plans” promising “15%/ Trade Principal return on maturity” and even “100%/ Trade Principal return on maturity” are classic hallmarks of Ponzi schemes or other high-yield investment programs HYIPs.
- Analysis: No legitimate trading or investment platform can guarantee fixed returns, especially not such high percentages. Financial markets are volatile, and returns fluctuate. The promise of guaranteed returns is a direct contradiction of how real financial markets operate. This is a definitive sign of a scam.
- CFD Trading Ethically Problematic in Islam: The primary business model revolves around CFDs.
- Islamic Perspective: CFDs involve speculation without asset ownership, often include interest-based rollovers, and have excessive uncertainty gharar, making them largely impermissible in Islamic finance. This directly contradicts the ethical investment principles prioritized in Islam.
- Anonymous Ownership and Operations: No verifiable information about the company’s founders, management team, or a physical address. Transparency is completely absent.
- Generic and Unverifiable Testimonials: The customer reviews like “I already got more than $200,000 within a month investing with Elite Standard Trade Company” are suspiciously high, generic, and cannot be independently verified. They are likely fabricated to create false social proof.
- Lack of Risk Disclosure: While a small risk disclaimer might be present, the overall marketing heavily emphasizes profits and ignores the significant risks of CFD trading, which can lead to rapid capital loss. This imbalance is manipulative.
- “Copy 400+ Strategies” Feature High Risk: While copy trading exists legitimately, in an unregulated environment, this feature can be used to funnel funds into unprofitable trades, ensuring the platform benefits while users lose.
- Unsubstantiated Awards: Claims of “40+ International Awards” and being a “Multi-Awarded Broker” with “42+ Industry Awards” without naming any specific awards or awarding bodies is highly suspicious.
- Vague “About Us” Section: The “About Us” section uses generic marketing language “become one of the most reputable brokers,” “legitimate and straightforward way of generating income” but provides no concrete historical data, verifiable achievements, or insights into the company’s genuine operations.
- High Minimum Deposits for “Plans”: The plans start at $50 and go up to “$9999999999,” encouraging large deposits with the promise of impossible returns.
- Poor Online Reputation/Lack of Independent Reviews: A search for “Elitestandardtrade.com review” on reputable financial forums or consumer protection sites is likely to yield warnings or a lack of credible information, rather than positive independent reviews.
In summary, the overwhelming evidence points to Elitestandardtrade.com being a very high-risk platform, likely a scam.
The promises of guaranteed, high returns are the clearest indication, combined with the lack of regulatory transparency and the problematic nature of CFDs from an ethical standpoint.
Elitestandardtrade.com Alternatives
Given the significant red flags associated with Elitestandardtrade.com, particularly its engagement in speculative CFD trading and its promises of unrealistic returns, it is imperative to explore ethical and legitimate alternatives for financial growth. Spvie.com Review
From an Islamic perspective, investments must avoid Riba interest, Gharar excessive uncertainty, and Maysir gambling. The alternatives below focus on real asset-backed investments, ethical financing, and beneficial economic activities.
Halal Investment Funds
These funds are managed by financial institutions that adhere to Sharia principles by investing only in Sharia-compliant companies and assets.
- Description: Instead of picking individual stocks, you invest in a diversified portfolio screened for ethical compliance. This means avoiding companies involved in alcohol, gambling, conventional banking, adult entertainment, and other non-halal activities.
- Benefits:
- Diversification: Spreads your risk across many different companies and sectors.
- Professional Management: Experienced fund managers handle the research and investment decisions.
- Sharia Compliance: Ensures your investments align with Islamic ethical guidelines.
- Accessibility: Lower entry barriers compared to direct stock purchases in some cases.
- Key Considerations:
- Fees: Management fees are charged, which can impact returns.
- Screening Rigor: The strictness of Sharia screening can vary between funds, so it’s important to choose reputable ones.
- Example: Wahed Invest A prominent global halal investment platform offering diversified portfolios.
Ethical Real Estate Investment
Investing in tangible real estate assets can provide stable income through rentals and potential capital appreciation, aligning with Islamic finance principles.
- Description: This involves purchasing physical properties residential, commercial, industrial for rental income or resale after appreciation. It can also include investing in Sharia-compliant Real Estate Investment Trusts REITs, which are companies that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate.
- Tangible Asset: You own a physical asset, which is a core tenet of ethical investment.
- Income Generation: Rental income provides a steady cash flow.
- Inflation Hedge: Real estate often performs well during periods of inflation.
- Wealth Preservation: Historically, real estate has been a strong store of value.
- Capital Intensive: Direct property ownership requires significant upfront capital.
- Liquidity: Real estate is less liquid than other investments. selling can take time.
- Management: Direct ownership requires active management maintenance, tenants.
- Example: Direct purchase of rental properties or investing in a Sharia-compliant REIT.
Halal Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Directly investing in or starting a Sharia-compliant business ventures, especially those offering beneficial products or services, is highly encouraged in Islam.
- Description: This involves putting capital into real businesses, taking on genuine business risk, and sharing in the profits and losses. It aligns with the principle of Mudarabah profit-sharing partnership or Musharakah joint venture.
- Direct Impact: You contribute directly to job creation and economic activity.
- Real Economy: Supports the tangible economy rather than purely speculative markets.
- Ethical alignment: Ensures your capital is used in a Sharia-compliant manner.
- High Potential: Successful businesses can yield significant returns.
- High Risk: Small businesses inherently carry higher risk than established investments.
- Time Commitment: Requires significant time and effort if directly involved in management.
- Due Diligence: Thorough research is essential before investing in or starting a business.
- Example: Investing in a local halal food business or a tech startup with ethical products.
Ethical Commodity Spot Trading
Trading in physical commodities like gold, silver, or agricultural products where actual ownership transfer occurs, rather than just speculating on price movements, can be permissible under strict conditions.
- Description: This involves buying and selling real commodities with immediate or near-immediate delivery and possession, avoiding futures contracts, and options that do not involve actual ownership. The focus is on the exchange of tangible goods.
- Real Assets: Deals with physical goods, aligning with ethical trading principles.
- Inflation Hedge: Some commodities, like gold, are traditional hedges against inflation.
- Diversification: Can add diversification to a portfolio.
- Volatility: Commodity markets can be highly volatile.
- Storage/Delivery: Physical possession can involve logistical challenges.
- Sharia Compliance: Requires strict adherence to rules regarding possession qabd and avoiding speculative elements.
- Example: Trading physical gold or silver bullion.
Islamic Crowdfunding Platforms
These platforms connect investors with entrepreneurs seeking funding for Sharia-compliant projects, often on a profit-sharing basis.
- Description: Instead of traditional loans, these platforms facilitate Mudarabah profit-sharing or Musharakah joint venture arrangements, where investors share in the profits and losses of a venture.
- Ethical Funding: Provides a Sharia-compliant alternative to conventional lending.
- Social Impact: Supports small businesses and innovation.
- Diversification: Can invest smaller amounts in multiple projects.
- Direct Engagement: Investors can often see the direct impact of their funds.
- Risk: Investment success is tied to the success of the funded projects.
- Liquidity: Investments are often illiquid until the project matures.
- Platform Due Diligence: It’s important to choose reputable and well-vetted platforms.
- Example: LaunchGood primarily for donations, but some campaigns have investment aspects. IFN For broader info on Islamic finance industry
Choosing legitimate and ethically sound investment avenues is paramount.
Always prioritize transparency, regulatory compliance, and alignment with your values over promises of quick, unrealistic returns.
How to Avoid Online Trading Scams
Avoiding online trading scams requires a sharp eye, skepticism, and a solid understanding of how legitimate financial markets operate. Sabbatiniturco.com Review
Scammers prey on desires for quick wealth, promising impossible returns and leveraging sophisticated marketing tactics. Here’s a breakdown of how to protect yourself.
Research and Due Diligence
Before you commit a single dollar, do your homework. This is the absolute first line of defense.
- Check Regulatory Status:
- Verify Licenses: Legitimate brokers are regulated by financial authorities e.g., FCA in the UK, SEC/FINRA in the US, ASIC in Australia. They will proudly display their license numbers and the names of their regulators.
- Confirm with Regulator: Don’t just trust what the website says. Go to the official website of the stated regulatory body and search for the broker’s license number or company name. If you can’t find it, or if there are discrepancies, it’s a huge red flag.
- Regulatory Warnings: Many regulators publish warning lists of unregulated or suspicious entities. Check these lists.
- Company Information:
- Physical Address: A legitimate company will have a verifiable physical address, not just a P.O. box.
- Contact Information: Look for functional phone numbers, email addresses, and live chat support. Test them out.
- History and Leadership: Reputable firms have a traceable history and identifiable leadership. If the “About Us” section is vague or lists only generic statements, be wary.
- Online Reviews and Reputation:
- Independent Sources: Look for reviews on independent, reputable financial forums, consumer protection websites like the Better Business Bureau, and industry watchdogs.
- Beware of Fabricated Reviews: Be skeptical of overly positive, generic testimonials on the company’s own website. Look for patterns, specific complaints, and how the company responds to negative feedback.
- Search for “Scam” or “Fraud”: Do a Google search for the company name followed by “scam,” “fraud,” “review,” or “complaints.”
Be Wary of Red Flags
Certain promises and behaviors are classic indicators of a scam.
- Guaranteed High Returns: This is perhaps the biggest red flag. No legitimate investment can guarantee high, fixed returns, especially not in volatile markets like forex, crypto, or CFDs. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
- Aggressive Sales Tactics:
- Pressure to Invest: Scammers will pressure you to deposit immediately, often citing “limited-time offers” or “missed opportunities.”
- Cold Calls/Emails: Be suspicious of unsolicited calls or emails from people claiming to be financial advisors or brokers.
- Personal Account Managers: While legitimate brokers have account managers, scammers use them to build trust and then push you to deposit more.
- Unusual Payment Methods:
- Cryptocurrency/Wire Transfers: Scammers often push for payments via irreversible methods like cryptocurrency or wire transfers, making it nearly impossible to trace or recover funds.
- Unusual Bank Accounts: Be cautious if you’re asked to send money to a personal bank account or one in a different country than the company’s stated location.
- Lack of Transparency:
- Vague Business Model: If they can’t clearly explain how they generate returns or their business model, it’s a problem.
- Hidden Fees: Legitimate brokers clearly disclose all fees, commissions, and spreads. Scammers might have hidden fees or make it difficult to withdraw funds.
- Promises of “Zero Risk”: All investments carry risk. Anyone claiming “zero risk” or “risk-free trading” is being dishonest.
- Early Success Stories Unverified: Be skeptical of screenshots of massive profits or glowing testimonials that can’t be verified. These are often fabricated.
Protect Your Information and Funds
Even if a platform seems legitimate, take steps to protect your personal and financial data.
- Strong Passwords and 2FA: Use unique, strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication 2FA wherever possible.
- Beware of Phishing: Don’t click on suspicious links in emails or messages. Always type the website address directly into your browser.
- Start Small: If you decide to try a platform after thorough vetting, start with a minimal deposit to test the withdrawal process before committing larger sums.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
- Never Share Sensitive Information: Never give out your login credentials, credit card PIN, or full banking details over the phone or email.
- Understand Withdrawal Policies: Before depositing, read and understand the platform’s withdrawal policies. Scammers often make it extremely difficult or impossible to withdraw funds once deposited.
By adopting a skeptical mindset and performing rigorous due diligence, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to online trading scams.
Remember, legitimate wealth creation is a marathon, not a sprint, and there are no shortcuts to guaranteed, high returns.
Why Elitestandardtrade.com’s Investment Plans Are Risky And Likely a Scam
Elitestandardtrade.com prominently features “OUR AWESOME PLANS” with promises of “15%/ Trade Principal return on maturity” and even a staggering “100%/ Trade Principal return on maturity.” These offers are not just risky.
They are the quintessential hallmarks of a fraudulent scheme.
Understanding why these plans are inherently problematic is crucial for anyone considering online investments.
The Illusion of Guaranteed Returns
The core promise of these plans is a fixed, high return on investment. Designocreative.com Review
- Fixed Percentages: “PLAN 1” through “PLAN 3” offer 15% return on principal, while “PLAN 4” offers an astounding 100%.
- Market Reality: Financial markets, by their very nature, are unpredictable. Returns are never fixed or guaranteed. They fluctuate based on economic conditions, company performance, geopolitical events, and investor sentiment. Even the most skilled traders and investors experience losses.
- Legitimate Investments: Real investments, whether in stocks, bonds, or real estate, always carry risk. Their returns are variable and depend on market performance. A legitimate financial institution would never promise a guaranteed percentage return.
- “Instant Withdrawal”: This is a common tactic. They promise quick withdrawals to make the initial experience seem smooth, but often, once larger sums are deposited, withdrawals become impossible.
The Ponzi Scheme Model
The structure of these “plans” strongly resembles a Ponzi scheme.
- How it Works: In a Ponzi scheme, early investors are paid off with money from subsequent investors, rather than from actual profits generated by trading or legitimate business activities.
- Unsustainable Model: Such a system is unsustainable. It requires a constant influx of new money to pay off existing investors. Once the flow of new investments slows or stops, the scheme collapses, and most investors lose their money.
- High Minimum Deposits: The escalating minimum deposits from $50 to “Max Deposit: $9999999999” a virtually unlimited amount for the 100% return plan is designed to entice larger sums from unsuspecting victims, especially those with high hopes.
- Lack of Underlying Asset/Business: There is no clear, verifiable explanation of how these returns are generated. While they mention CFD trading, legitimate CFD trading does not produce fixed, guaranteed returns. The “plans” imply a fixed-income product, but the underlying assets CFDs are speculative.
The Red Flags Multiplier
When you combine the promise of guaranteed high returns with other red flags identified on the Elitestandardtrade.com website, the risk profile skyrockets.
- Unverified Regulation: Without a legitimate regulatory body overseeing these plans, there’s no safeguard for your investment.
- Anonymous Operators: You have no idea who is managing your money or what their financial track record truly is.
- Generic Testimonials: The glowing reviews on the site are likely fabricated to create false confidence.
- Aggressive Marketing: The use of words like “AWESOME PLANS” and emphasizing high returns without adequate risk warnings is manipulative.
Why This is Haram Forbidden in Islam
From an Islamic perspective, these investment plans are problematic for several reasons:
- Riba Interest: The promise of a fixed, guaranteed return on an investment principal, especially without genuine risk-sharing, often falls under the category of Riba, which is strictly prohibited. Islamic finance emphasizes profit-sharing and loss-bearing, not fixed gains irrespective of the underlying venture’s performance.
- Gharar Excessive Uncertainty/Speculation: While trading involves some level of uncertainty, guaranteed returns eliminate this. However, the core of the business CFDs is highly speculative and lacks clear asset ownership, which itself has elements of Gharar. A fixed return on a highly volatile and speculative instrument is illogical and points to deception.
- Maysir Gambling: The promise of high, guaranteed returns with minimal apparent effort and transparency can be akin to gambling, where money is exchanged with an element of chance and no real productive economic activity.
- Deception and Fraud: Schemes that promise unrealistic returns and operate without transparency are fundamentally deceptive, and earning wealth through deceit is forbidden.
In conclusion, any platform offering fixed, high percentage returns like those seen on Elitestandardtrade.com should be avoided at all costs.
They are almost certainly a scam designed to take your money, and they are diametrically opposed to ethical and Islamic financial principles.
Real wealth is built through legitimate work, real investments with shared risk, and patience, not through magic percentages.
How Elitestandardtrade.com Differs From Legitimate Trading Platforms
Understanding the stark differences between a dubious platform like Elitestandardtrade.com and genuinely legitimate trading platforms is crucial for investor safety.
While both might use similar jargon, their underlying operations, regulatory frameworks, and ethical commitments are worlds apart.
Regulatory Compliance and Transparency
- Elitestandardtrade.com:
- Vague Regulation: Claims “Globally Regulated” but provides no specific regulatory body, license number, or jurisdiction. This is a deliberate attempt to appear legitimate without actually being so.
- Lack of Company Details: No verifiable physical address, company registration number, or identifiable leadership. Anonymity is a hallmark of fraudulent operations.
- Unverifiable Claims: “40+ International Awards” and “$1,000,000 insurance” are presented without any supporting evidence or details, making them meaningless marketing fluff designed to deceive.
- Legitimate Trading Platforms:
- Strict Regulation: Are licensed and overseen by reputable financial authorities in multiple jurisdictions e.g., FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FINRA, SEC. They prominently display all their license numbers and links to their regulatory pages for verification.
- Full Transparency: Provide clear information about their company registration, physical headquarters, and often the bios of their executive team.
- Audited Financials: Many publicly listed or large private brokers have independently audited financial statements, providing a layer of accountability.
- Investor Protection Schemes: Participate in government-backed investor compensation schemes e.g., FSCS in the UK that truly protect client funds up to a certain limit in case of broker insolvency, not a self-declared “insurance.”
Business Model and Promises
* Guaranteed Returns: Offers "plans" with fixed, high, and unrealistic returns 15%, 100% on principal. This is the most glaring red flag. Financial markets do not offer guaranteed returns.
* Focus on Deposits: The entire structure seems designed to attract large deposits with the promise of easy, quick wealth.
* CFDs with Deceptive Marketing: While offering CFDs is not inherently illicit, marketing them with guaranteed returns or portraying them as a "straightforward way of generating income" without emphasizing the very high risk is deceptive.
* Risk Disclosure: Heavily emphasize that trading carries significant risk and that you can lose all your invested capital. They often have prominent disclaimers "CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage...".
* No Guarantees: Never promise fixed returns. They provide access to markets and tools, but success or failure depends on market conditions and the trader's skill.
* Revenue Model: Generate revenue through transparent means like spreads, commissions, and overnight swap fees, not by taking clients' principal with promises of impossible returns.
* Education and Risk Management: Offer educational resources and tools like stop-loss orders, negative balance protection to help traders manage risk, rather than encouraging reckless behavior.
Client Fund Security
* Unverified Segregation: Claims "Segregated Client Funds" but without regulatory oversight, there's no way to verify if client money is actually kept separate from operational funds. In a scam, client funds are often directly used for operational expenses or to pay off earlier investors.
* Phantom "Insurance": The "Ultimate Insurance" claim is likely fictitious, as legitimate insurance for client funds is typically provided by government-backed schemes, not by the broker itself.
* Mandatory Segregation: Are legally required by regulators to segregate client funds from the company's operational funds. This means client money is held in separate bank accounts, usually with top-tier banks.
* Investor Compensation: Are typically members of investor compensation funds, which provide a safety net up to a certain amount in case the broker goes bankrupt.
* Regular Audits: Subject themselves to regular financial audits to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including fund segregation.
Withdrawal Process
* Initial Ease, Later Difficulty: Scammers often allow small, initial withdrawals to build trust, but then make it extremely difficult or impossible to withdraw larger sums. They might demand additional fees, taxes, or more deposits.
* Clear Policies: Have clearly defined and transparent withdrawal policies, including processing times and fees.
* Reliable Withdrawals: While there might be processing delays, legitimate platforms process withdrawal requests reliably as per their stated terms, without inventing new fees or obstacles.
In essence, a legitimate trading platform acts as a transparent intermediary, providing access to real markets and tools for speculation with clear risk warnings. A scam platform like Elitestandardtrade.com acts as a black box, taking your money with promises of impossible returns and having no intention of returning it.
How to Cancel Elitestandardtrade.com Subscription / Withdraw Funds Cautionary Advice
Given the strong indications that Elitestandardtrade.com is a high-risk platform, likely a scam, the concept of “canceling a subscription” or “free trial” is secondary to the primary concern: attempting to withdraw any deposited funds. Ontheflycomputerguy.com Review
It’s crucial to understand that recovering funds from such platforms is often extremely difficult, but there are steps you can take.
Understanding the Challenge
Scam platforms are designed to make withdrawals difficult or impossible once a significant amount is deposited. They might:
- Demand More Funds: Ask for “taxes,” “commissions,” “insurance fees,” or “account activation fees” before a withdrawal can be processed. This is a common tactic to extract more money.
- Delay Tactics: Continuously delay the withdrawal process with excuses about technical issues, verification problems, or legal reviews.
- Account Freezing: Suddenly freeze your account or make it inaccessible.
- Disappear: The website might simply go offline, or customer support will cease to respond.
Steps to Attempt Withdrawal
Even with these challenges, it’s worth attempting to recover funds. Document every step.
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Initiate Withdrawal Request:
- Follow Their Process: Log into your Elitestandardtrade.com account and navigate to the withdrawal section. Follow their specified procedure to request a withdrawal of your full balance.
- Specify Method: Request withdrawal to the original funding method if possible e.g., bank transfer, credit card.
- Document Everything: Take screenshots of the withdrawal request, including the date, amount, and any confirmation messages. Note down any transaction IDs.
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Contact Customer Support:
- Formal Communication: Immediately after making the request, email their customer support from the email registered with them and formally request an update on your withdrawal. Keep the tone professional but firm.
- Keep Records: Save all email correspondence, chat logs, and records of phone calls date, time, person spoken to, summary of conversation. This documentation is vital for subsequent actions.
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Beware of Common Scam Tactics During Withdrawal:
- “Taxes” or “Fees”: If they demand additional payments e.g., “tax,” “customs duty,” “insurance fee,” “AML fee” before releasing your funds, do NOT pay it. This is a classic scam tactic. Legitimate brokers deduct any applicable fees from the withdrawal amount, they don’t ask for additional upfront payments.
- “Bitcoin Wallet Issues”: If they claim issues with your bank and try to convince you to withdraw to a cryptocurrency wallet, be extremely wary. This is often an attempt to make the funds untraceable.
- “Account Upgrade”: Do not fall for requests to upgrade your account or deposit more money to “unlock” withdrawals.
If Withdrawal Fails or They Request More Money
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Contact Your Bank/Credit Card Company:
- Dispute Transaction: If you funded your account via credit card, contact your credit card provider immediately and explain that you believe you have been scammed. Request a chargeback. Act quickly, as there are time limits for chargebacks.
- Bank Transfer: If you made a bank transfer, contact your bank as soon as possible. While wire transfers are harder to reverse, your bank might be able to offer advice or contact the receiving bank.
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File a Complaint with Authorities:
- Local Authorities: Report the scam to your local police department.
- Financial Regulators: Even though Elitestandardtrade.com is likely unregulated, you can still report them to major financial regulatory bodies in your country e.g., SEC or CFTC in the US, FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia. While they may not directly help you recover funds from an unregulated entity, your complaint helps them build a case and issue warnings.
- Consumer Protection Agencies: File a complaint with consumer protection agencies e.g., Federal Trade Commission FTC in the US.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3: If the scam occurred online, file a report with the FBI’s IC3 if you are in the US.
- International Bodies: If you’re outside the US, look for similar bodies like Europol for European citizens or local national police cybercrime units.
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Cease All Communication: Once you realize it’s a scam and have taken the above steps, cease all communication with Elitestandardtrade.com. Do not respond to their emails or calls. They may try to pressure you further or involve you in “recovery scams” where they pose as recovery agents.
Remember, the best defense against such scams is prevention. Autocloudmining.com Review
Always thoroughly vet any investment platform before depositing any funds, especially those promising unrealistic returns.
How to Cancel Elitestandardtrade.com Free Trial Likely Non-Existent
The concept of a “free trial” for a platform like Elitestandardtrade.com is almost certainly a misnomer, or it refers to a “demo account” which carries no financial risk.
Given the nature of this platform, which heavily pushes for initial deposits with the promise of “awesome plans” and high returns, a traditional free trial that allows access to their investment plans without any financial commitment is highly improbable.
Understanding the “Free Trial” Demo Account
- Demo Account Feature: The website mentions a “Demo Account: Master your skills with a demo/practice account and educational content.” This is what most legitimate and even some illegitimate trading platforms offer as a “free trial.”
- Purpose: A demo account uses virtual money to simulate trading conditions. It allows users to familiarize themselves with the platform’s interface, tools, and the mechanics of trading without risking real capital.
- No Financial Commitment: Crucially, a demo account does not require real money to be deposited. Therefore, there’s nothing to “cancel” in terms of financial obligation. You simply stop using it.
- “Free Trial” in the Context of a Scam: If Elitestandardtrade.com were to refer to a “free trial” in any other context, it would likely be a deceptive tactic to gather your personal information or to subtly push you towards making a real deposit. True financial services, especially those dealing with speculative trading, don’t typically offer “free trials” of their core money-making features because the “service” itself involves risk and capital.
How to “Cancel” a Demo Account
If you created a demo account with Elitestandardtrade.com and wish to stop using it, the process is straightforward:
- Simply Stop Using It: Since no real money is involved, there’s no financial commitment to terminate. You can simply log out and never return.
- Delete Account If Option Exists: Some platforms offer an option to “delete account” or “close account” within the settings for both demo and real accounts.
- Navigate to Settings: Log into your demo account.
- Look for Account Management: Search for sections like “Account Settings,” “Profile,” or “Manage Account.”
- Find Deletion Option: Look for an option to “Close Account,” “Delete Account,” or “Deactivate Account.” Follow the prompts.
- Confirmation: You might receive an email confirmation.
- Contact Support If Necessary: If you can’t find an option to delete the account yourself, or if you’re concerned about your personal data, you can email their support team and formally request the deletion of your demo account and all associated data.
- Data Privacy: This is more about personal data privacy than financial cancellation, as no funds are involved.
Key Takeaways Regarding “Free Trials” and Scams
- No Monetary Risk with Demo Accounts: If you only used a demo account, your funds are safe because you never deposited any real money.
- Beware of Transition: Be extremely cautious if a “free trial” other than a clear demo account suddenly asks you to deposit real money to “unlock” features or “continue trading.” This is often the hook used by scam platforms.
- Protect Personal Information: Even with a demo account, you might have provided personal details. Be mindful of potential spam or phishing attempts related to that information. If you provided sensitive data for a “free trial” that felt suspicious, monitor your other accounts bank, email for unusual activity.
In essence, if you’ve only engaged with the demo aspect of Elitestandardtrade.com, you have no financial obligation and simply walking away is the simplest “cancellation.” The real danger lies in transitioning from a “trial” or demo to their real money “plans” which are designed to lure unsuspecting investors into a high-risk, likely fraudulent, scheme.
Why Elitestandardtrade.com is Not Permissible Haram in Islam
For Muslims, engaging in financial transactions requires strict adherence to Sharia principles. Based on the offerings and characteristics of Elitestandardtrade.com, it becomes clear that this platform is not permissible Haram in Islam due to several fundamental violations of Islamic finance.
1. Riba Interest – The Core Violation
- Problem: Elitestandardtrade.com explicitly offers “OUR AWESOME PLANS” with “15%/ Trade Principal return on maturity” and even “100%/ Trade Principal return on maturity.” This promise of a fixed, predetermined return on capital, regardless of the actual profit or loss of the underlying trading activity, is the very definition of Riba interest.
- Islamic Principle: Islam prohibits Riba in all its forms. Financial transactions must involve a genuine profit-and-loss sharing mechanism Mudarabah, Musharakah or a legitimate sale/purchase of an asset where risk is shared. Fixed returns disconnected from actual performance constitute Riba.
- Impact: Even if the platform claims to engage in “trading,” the guarantee of a fixed return on the principal transforms it into an interest-bearing arrangement, which is unequivocally Haram. The focus shifts from legitimate trade to the mere accumulation of capital through predetermined gains, a practice condemned in Islamic teachings.
2. Gharar Excessive Uncertainty/Ambiguity
- Problem: The platform’s primary offering is CFDs Contracts for Difference. CFDs are financial derivatives where you speculate on the price movement of an underlying asset without ever owning the asset itself.
- Islamic Principle: Transactions in Islam must be clear, transparent, and free from excessive uncertainty Gharar. Ownership Qabd of the underlying asset is generally required for a transaction to be valid. In CFDs, there is no physical or constructive possession of the asset e.g., you don’t own the gold or shares. The contract is purely a bet on price movement.
- Impact: This lack of asset ownership and the purely speculative nature of CFDs, where the contract is severed from a real economic transaction, makes them highly problematic. Furthermore, the overall opacity of Elitestandardtrade.com unverified regulation, anonymous ownership adds layers of Gharar to the entire engagement.
3. Maysir Gambling
- Problem: The combination of highly speculative CFD trading, promises of quick and fixed returns, and the absence of real asset ownership creates an environment that closely resembles Maysir gambling.
- Islamic Principle: Gambling is strictly prohibited in Islam because it involves acquiring wealth by chance or speculation, without productive effort or genuine risk-bearing in a legitimate enterprise.
4. Deception and Fraud
- Problem: The numerous red flags on Elitestandardtrade.com unverified regulation, vague company details, fabricated testimonials, unrealistic promises strongly suggest that it is a fraudulent scheme.
- Islamic Principle: Islam condemns all forms of deception, fraud, and misrepresentation in financial dealings. Wealth must be earned through honest and legitimate means.
- Impact: Engaging with a platform that is likely designed to defraud individuals means supporting an unethical and impermissible enterprise. Losing money to a scam is not merely a financial loss but also involves participation in a system built on dishonesty.
Conclusion: Avoid at All Costs
For a Muslim, investing or trading with Elitestandardtrade.com would be a direct violation of fundamental Islamic financial principles.
The presence of Riba through guaranteed fixed returns, the Gharar inherent in non-asset-backed CFD speculation, and the element of Maysir due to its gambling-like nature and the deceptive practices make it unequivocally Haram.
Instead, Muslims are encouraged to pursue wealth through:
- Real trade and business: Buying and selling tangible goods or services.
- Profit-sharing partnerships: Investing in ventures where profits and losses are genuinely shared.
- Asset-backed investments: Investing in real estate, ethical equities, or commodities with true ownership transfer.
- Takaful: Islamic cooperative insurance as an alternative to conventional interest-based insurance.
Prioritizing ethical and Sharia-compliant financial practices ensures not only adherence to religious duties but also promotes a more just, transparent, and sustainable economic system. Sphagnumbotanicals.com Review
Engaging with platforms like Elitestandardtrade.com offers short-term allure but leads to long-term spiritual and financial detriment.
FAQ
What is Elitestandardtrade.com?
Elitestandardtrade.com presents itself as an online trading platform offering Contracts for Difference CFDs on various assets like Forex, Gold, Oil, Cryptocurrencies, Indices, and Shares.
Is Elitestandardtrade.com a legitimate company?
Based on the website’s content, Elitestandardtrade.com shows numerous red flags commonly associated with illegitimate or scam platforms, including vague regulatory claims, anonymous ownership, and promises of guaranteed high returns.
What are the main red flags of Elitestandardtrade.com?
Key red flags include unsubstantiated claims of being “Globally Regulated,” promises of fixed high returns e.g., 15% or 100% on principal, lack of specific company details or physical address, and generic, unverifiable customer testimonials.
Does Elitestandardtrade.com offer guaranteed returns?
Yes, Elitestandardtrade.com explicitly offers “Awesome Plans” promising guaranteed returns such as “15%/ Trade Principal return on maturity” and even “100%/ Trade Principal return on maturity.” This is a major red flag for any legitimate investment platform.
Why are guaranteed returns a red flag in finance?
Guaranteed high returns are a significant red flag because financial markets are inherently volatile and unpredictable.
No legitimate investment can guarantee fixed, high returns, as returns fluctuate based on market performance and economic conditions. This is a common characteristic of Ponzi schemes.
Is CFD trading ethical or permissible in Islam?
Generally, CFD trading is considered highly problematic and often impermissible haram in Islam due to the lack of actual asset ownership, excessive uncertainty gharar, and elements resembling gambling maysir.
Is Elitestandardtrade.com regulated?
Elitestandardtrade.com claims to be “Globally Regulated” but provides no specific regulatory body, license number, or jurisdiction for verification.
This lack of transparency indicates it is likely unregulated. Earningsideas.com Review
How does Elitestandardtrade.com claim to protect client funds?
The website states “Client funds market leading insurance” up to “$1,000,000” and “Segregated Client Funds.” However, without verifiable regulation and independent oversight, these claims are unreliable and typical of scam platforms.
Are the customer testimonials on Elitestandardtrade.com real?
The customer testimonials on Elitestandardtrade.com, which boast rapid and significant earnings e.g., “$200,000 within a month”, appear generic, unverified, and are suspiciously high, suggesting they may be fabricated.
What should I do if I have deposited money into Elitestandardtrade.com?
If you have deposited money, immediately attempt to withdraw your funds according to their process, document all communication, and if unsuccessful, contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the transaction and file a complaint with relevant financial and consumer protection authorities.
Can I get my money back from Elitestandardtrade.com?
Recovering funds from platforms like Elitestandardtrade.com, which exhibit scam characteristics, is often very difficult.
However, immediate action by contacting your bank for a chargeback or reporting to authorities may offer a slim chance.
Does Elitestandardtrade.com offer a free trial?
Elitestandardtrade.com mentions a “Demo Account” for practice, which uses virtual money and has no financial risk.
This is likely what they refer to as a “free trial.” There’s no actual financial “trial” for their investment plans.
How do I cancel a demo account on Elitestandardtrade.com?
To “cancel” a demo account, you simply stop using it, as no real money is involved.
You may also look for an option within your account settings to delete or deactivate the account if available.
What payment methods does Elitestandardtrade.com accept?
The website mentions “quick, easy and secure methods” for funding your account but does not specify them beyond suggesting “more than 20 payment systems.” Scams often push for irreversible payment methods like cryptocurrency or wire transfers. Krimnizo.com Review
Does Elitestandardtrade.com have an official physical address?
No, Elitestandardtrade.com does not provide a verifiable physical address on its website, which is a significant red flag for a financial services company.
What kind of “awesome plans” does Elitestandardtrade.com offer?
Elitestandardtrade.com offers four “plans” with varying minimum deposits from $50 to “Max Deposit: $9999999999” and promises of fixed principal returns, either 15% or 100% on maturity.
Is Elitestandardtrade.com transparent about its fees or spreads?
While it mentions “tighter spreads” and “competitive brokerage fees,” the website lacks detailed, transparent information about all fees, commissions, or potential hidden charges, which is common in scam operations.
What are ethical alternatives to platforms like Elitestandardtrade.com for Muslims?
Ethical alternatives include halal investment funds, ethical real estate investment, investing in Sharia-compliant small businesses, ethical commodity spot trading with ownership transfer, and Islamic crowdfunding platforms.
How can I verify if a trading platform is legitimate?
Verify legitimacy by checking if the platform is regulated by reputable financial authorities, confirm their license numbers on the regulator’s official website, look for clear company information address, leadership, and seek independent, credible reviews.
What are the long-term risks of investing with a platform like Elitestandardtrade.com?
The long-term risks include total loss of invested capital, identity theft, being targeted by further scams e.g., recovery scams, and ethical/religious transgression for Muslims due to engaging in Riba, Gharar, and Maysir.
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