BaFin warns leo-invest.de misuses identity of Munich firm LEO GP GmbH
Germany's BaFin warns that leo-invest.de may be offering financial and securities services without authorisation and falsely claims a connection to Munich-based LEO GP GmbH.
- First reported
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Source: bafin.de · published
What happened
Germany's financial regulator BaFin warned on October 14, 2026 about offers on the website leo-invest.de. BaFin suspects the unknown operators are providing financial and securities services without the required authorisation.
Contrary to the operators' claims, there is no connection to the Munich-based LEO GP GmbH, which has nothing to do with the website or the services offered there. BaFin describes it as identity misuse. BaFin issued the notice under Section 37(4) of the German Banking Act (KWG).
How the scam works
Using the name of a real company is a common way to make an unlicensed investment site look trustworthy: people who look up the name find a genuine business and assume the site belongs to it.
Anyone offering financial and securities services in Germany needs BaFin authorisation. BaFin, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the state criminal police offices warn consumers to be extremely careful when investing online and to research thoroughly to spot fraud early.
Source
BaFin consumer warning on leo-invest.de (October 14, 2026, in German).
Red flags
- An investment site claiming a link to a real company but using a different domain.
- A firm you can't find in BaFin's company database.
- Unsolicited online investment offers.
If you were targeted
- 1Don't send money to leo-invest.de.
- 2Check BaFin's company database to see whether a firm is authorised, and contact the real company using details you find independently.
- 3If you have paid, contact your bank and report it to the police.