Fake Facebook Pages Impersonating PNGX Markets Limited And Staff

PNGX Markets Limited (PNGX), the national stock exchange of Papua New Guinea, wishes to alert the public to multiple fraudulent Facebook pages that are unlawfully using the PNGX name, logo, and official imagery to deceive individuals.  It has also come to our attention that there are pages unlawfully impersonating individual PNGX staff.

These pages are fraudulent and have no affiliation whatsoever with PNGX or its staff. The scammers are using PNGX’s official branding and photographs to appear legitimate and are approaching members of the public with false investment offers, investment and financial education training, cryptocurrency training and requests for personal information or money.

PNGX takes the security and protection of investors seriously.  This warning is issued to help the public recognize and avoid scams and scammers. 

HOW SCAMS OPERATE

The fraudulent Facebook pages use official PNGX logos, branding, and images (including images of PNGX staff) to deceive victims into believing they are dealing with Papua New Guinea's national stock exchange. Scammers may:

• Offer fake investment opportunities or "get rich quick" schemes.
• Offer training in cryptocurrency trading, fake investor education and financial trainings not legitimately associated with PNGX.
• Promise unrealistically high returns with minimal risk.
• Pressure individuals to invest "immediately".
• Request personal identification, banking details, or other sensitive information.
• Solicit direct bank deposits or upfront payments into personal bank accounts or company accounts not associated with PNGX.

WHAT PNGX WILL NEVER DO

To protect yourself, please remember that PNGX: 

• Does NOT ask for direct bank deposits – We never solicit payments from the public via any social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Telegram etc. 
• Will NEVER ask for your personal or banking information – We do not request sensitive information through Facebook or any other social media platform.
• Does NOT offer investment services directly to the public – PNGX operates the national stock exchange and does not provide retail investment advice or services.
• Will NEVER ask you to transfer money into any PNGX staff or individual’s bank account.  
• Does not offer cryptocurrency training – PNGX offers training in licenced market products only.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO

If you encounter fake Facebook pages or receive any suspicious communication:

• Do NOT engage with the page, click on any links, or respond to messages.
• Do NOT provide any personal, financial, or banking information.
• Do NOT transfer any funds into any individual’s bank account.
• You should only deal with organisations licenced by the Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea or the Bank of Papua New Guinea. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• REPORT the fake page to Facebook immediately using the platform's reporting function.
• REPORT the fake page to the Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea immediately using the Commission's reporting function (https://www.scpng.gov.pg/selfcare/).
• VERIFY any communication claiming to be from PNGX by contacting PNGX directly through its official channels (listed below).

If you are asked to provide anyone with your personal, financial, or banking information in relation to investments you should verify that they are licenced via the licencing page on the Securities Commission’s official website (https://www.scpng.gov.pg/license-approved-cmparticipants/) or the Bank of Papua New Guinea’s official website

(https://www.bankpng.gov.pg/amlctf/registered-financial-institutions)

PNGX’S ONLY OFFICIAL CHANNELS

PNGX communicates with the public exclusively through the following official channels:

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES

If you have been targeted by these scams or have any information about a fraudulent

Facebook page, WhatsApp message or any other social media, please report it immediately to the Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea via their Investment Scam Alert

Reporting Form available on their official website: https://www.scpng.gov.pg/selfcare/. 

PNGX urges all members of the public to remain vigilant. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the use of official branding and imagery is a common tactic to gain trust. Always verify the legitimacy of any communication before taking action.

Verify before you trust. When in doubt, contact us directly through our official channels.

The following Facebook pages are examples of Facebook pages NOT associated with or endorsed by PNGX Markets.