TL;DR: On August 7, 2026, the FTC warned about investment training scams on social media. Posts show luxury cars and travel and claim you can get the same lifestyle by learning to trade. The FTC says one such business, International Markets Live, is out of business and its leaders must turn over assets valued at over $90 million.

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What happened

The FTC consumer alert says social media posts leave out that trading is risky, returns are not guaranteed, and losses can be fast and large. The FTC sued International Markets Live (IML), also known as IM Mastery Academy and IYOVIA.

The FTC says IML targeted young people on social media, advertised “educators” who often lacked legitimate credentials, and used false earnings claims to recruit people into a large investment training scheme. IML is no longer in business, its leaders must turn over assets valued at over $90 million, and they are banned from selling trading training services and investment opportunities in the future.

Why it works

A lifestyle photo sells a feeling, not a strategy, and a course price feels smaller than the promise attached to it. Paid ads can also rank above neutral reviews in search results.

The FTC’s red flags are promises of high profits with little or no risk, guarantees that you will be taught to trade successfully, pressure to quit your job or chase the advertised lifestyle, and top search results that may be paid ads.

Background: our explainers on deepfake scams and Telegram scams. See also Scammers Are Posing as the FBI’s IC3 to “Recover” Your Money and FTC Weighs New Rules for Ad Platforms Over Impersonation Scams. For wider numbers, see our data page on average loss per victim by scam type.

What the FTC advises

If you have already sent money

Contact your bank or card issuer immediately and ask to stop or recall the payment, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for internet-enabled crime, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Our guides on how to report a scam to IC3, how to reverse a wire transfer scam and US bank impersonation scams walk through 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 the FTC say about IML?

The FTC sued International Markets Live (IML), also known as IM Mastery Academy and IYOVIA, saying it used false earnings claims to recruit people. IML is out of business and its leaders must turn over assets valued at over $90 million.

What are the red flags of a trading course scam?

Promises of high profits with little risk, guarantees you will learn to trade successfully, pressure to quit your job or chase a lifestyle shown in ads, and top search results that may be paid ads.

How do I check a trading educator?

Search their names with terms like review, scam or fraud, check several pages of results and check with your state attorney general for complaints.

Where do I report it?

Report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Sources

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