The Malta Financial Services Authority has issued a warning to the public after becoming aware of scam emails impersonating the regulator and demanding payments under the guise of capital gains tax on investment profits.

In a statement, the MFSA said the fraudulent messages are being sent from email addresses such as support@mfsa-compliance.com, which falsely claim to represent the authority. The emails reportedly inform recipients that they must pay a “capital gains tax” in order to release funds from investments allegedly held with financial intermediaries, threatening that the funds will otherwise be blocked or returned.

The MFSA stressed that it never requests urgent payments or deposits and does not communicate with consumers in this manner. It said official correspondence is always issued on MFSA letterhead and sent by registered mail, while any legitimate email communication would only come from addresses ending in @mfsa.mt.

The regulator urged members of the public to be cautious of unsolicited messages that use urgent or threatening language, contain spelling or grammatical errors, feature poor-quality logos or documents, or refer to unlicensed financial service providers. It also warned that messages sent through private phone numbers or instant messaging apps claiming to represent the MFSA should be treated with suspicion.

Anyone unsure about the authenticity of a communication is advised to stop engaging with the sender immediately, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and verify whether the individual or entity involved is authorised through the MFSA’s online financial services register. The authority can also be contacted directly through its official channels to confirm whether a message is genuine.

The MFSA reminded consumers not to enter into any financial transaction unless they have confirmed that the person or company involved is licensed by the MFSA or another reputable regulator. It also cautioned against investment offers made through unconventional channels such as unsolicited emails, social media messages or cold calls.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a scam is urged to cease all transactions immediately and report the incident to the MFSA without delay.