Description

Subject: Investment Fraud Complaint – FireCapitalMarket.com / Richard Clems (Facebook Group Admin) Date of Incident: May 2025 – August 2025 Total Estimated Loss: $7,973 Website Involved: https://www.firecapitalmarket.com Platform Used to Purchase Crypto: Coinbase Crypto Used: XRP Scammer Alias: Richard Clems Social Media Used: Facebook (Group: Home of Finance), Telegram ________________________________________ 1. Summary of the Incident I am reporting a suspected online investment scam involving a website called FireCapitalMarket.com and an individual named Richard Clems, who posed as a financial mentor. He introduced himself through a Facebook group called Home of Finance, where he claimed to offer a mentorship program tailored to crypto and stock traders. The group appeared to have about 8,000 members regularly posting alleged success stories under his guidance. Richard presented himself as a legitimate mentor with a proven track record (shared a profile). He claimed his program provided step-by-step guidance in setting up brokerage accounts and trading using market signals. He insisted on using cryptocurrency (XRP) for transactions and directed me to create an account with Coinbase and fund a trading account on FireCapitalMarket.com, stating it was his preferred platform with educational tools and integrated signals. 2. Timeline of Events • Initial Contact: April 2025 via Facebook group Home of Finance • Account Creation: Coinbase account to purchase XRP, and a trading account on FireCapitalMarket.com • Mentorship Promise: 5% of profits as mentorship fee, daily trading signals through Telegram • Initial Deposit: ~$950 in XRP to FireCapitalMarket.com (via wallet address given in website chat) • Daily Trades: Richard sent stock signals (e.g., KO,TSLA, AMZN stock), and trades appeared executed with small gains on my dashboard • Further Deposits: Encouraged to increase capital to receive better signals, totaling $7,973 transferred as XRP • Dashboard Balance: Reflected trading gains of $607, but this could not be verified independently • Withdrawal Attempt: o July 30, 2025: Submitted withdrawal of $1,000 (email confirmation received) o August 1, 2025: Second withdrawal attempt for $6,500 after no response o No Funds Received, no communication from website thereafter ________________________________________ 3. Deceptive Tactics Used • Fake Community Support: Facebook group had fake testimonials and posts from supposed users praising Richard’s system. It seemed convincing and active until it was later removed entirely from Facebook. • Manipulated Trading Dashboard: Showed fake gains based on signals provided by Richard, likely to encourage more deposits. • Vanishing Act: After funds were requested for withdrawal: o Chat support stopped responding o Telegram messages were deleted o Richard deleted his profile information and cut all communication • Active Website: The website still shows my account and balance, but there’s no way to contact support or retrieve funds. ________________________________________ 4. Supporting Evidence Available I am willing to provide the following evidence if required: • Screenshots of Telegram chat with Richard Clems • Screenshots of my trading dashboard on FireCapitalMarket.com • Emails confirming trade placements and withdrawal requests from FireCapitaMarket • Coinbase transaction receipts and XRP wallet addresses used • Screenshot(s) of Facebook and Telegram profile • Scammers Investment profile shared ________________________________________ 5. Desired Resolution • I am requesting assistance in recovering my initial deposits totaling ~ $7,900, which were made under false pretenses. • I ask the BBB to investigate FireCapitalMarket.com and Richard Clems for fraudulent practices. • I request that the BBB consider issuing warnings to the public about this platform and individuals operating similarly to protect other consumers. ________________________________________