TL;DR: On July 2, 2026, ASIC announced it cancelled the Australian financial services licence of Capital Guard AU Pty Ltd, effective June 29, 2026. ASIC found the firm created a fake prospectus for a non-existent Macquarie Bank bond and obtained at least A$100,000 from investors. ASIC’s investigation is ongoing and the firm may seek review.
What happened
ASIC release 26-141MR says the firm’s previous business was sold in 2024 to its current management. ASIC also found the firm allegedly misrepresented its experience on its website, altered scam warnings about itself issued by third parties, and gave false documents to its auditor.
The licence remains in force until June 29, 2027, but only for limited protective purposes: AFCA membership and compensation arrangements, including professional indemnity insurance.
Why it works
A licensed firm still needs checking, because a licence does not guarantee a product exists. A well-known bank’s name on a document is only meaningful if the bank confirms it.
ASIC also cited failures to notify changes in control, keep proper accounts and maintain adequate resources.
Background: our explainers on investment and trading app scam recovery. See also ASIC Finfluencer Crackdown: 63% of Gen Z Use Social for Finance and ASIC Now Lists Licensee Websites to Help You Spot Fake Sites.
Lessons for investors
- Confirm that any bond or fixed-income product actually exists by checking directly with the named issuer.
- Check a firm’s AFS licence status on ASIC’s register before investing, and be cautious of firms whose licence or ownership recently changed.
- Be sceptical of promotional material that claims experience or credentials you cannot verify independently.
- If you lost money, consider a free complaint to AFCA and use ASIC’s Moneysmart resources.
If you have already sent money
Contact your bank immediately, report the scam to Scamwatch and through ReportCyber, and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 if your identity may be at risk. Our guides on the Scamwatch and IDCARE recovery process, Australian bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam explain the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did ASIC find?
That Capital Guard created a fake prospectus for a non-existent Macquarie Bank bond and obtained at least A$100,000 from investors.
When was the licence cancelled?
The cancellation took effect on June 29, 2026 and was announced on July 2, 2026.
Can the firm still operate?
The licence remains in force until June 29, 2027, but only for limited protective purposes such as AFCA membership and compensation arrangements.
How can I check a bond is real?
Check directly with the named issuer, using contact details you find yourself.
Sources
- ASIC: 26-141MR, ASIC cancels AFS licence of Capital Guard for fake bond sale and other dishonest conduct (Jul 2, 2026)
- Scamwatch (ACCC)
Related Reading
- ASIC Finfluencer Crackdown: 63% of Gen Z Use Social for Finance
- ASIC Now Lists Licensee Websites to Help You Spot Fake Sites
- FBI: Fake Owners Are Selling Vacant Land They Don’t Own
- Australia Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Average Loss per Victim by Scam Type (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live