Comoros Anjouan and Moheli Licenses Are Fake
- Роберт Вер
- Feb 24
- 5 min read
Background: Anjouan and Moheli (Mwali) as “Offshore” Licensing Hubs
For years, online forex brokers and other financial service providers have sought out jurisdictions with minimal regulatory oversight to secure licenses quickly. Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani) and Moheli (Mwali)—two of the three main islands forming the Union of the Comoros—have been referenced by unscrupulous operators as “offshore finance centers” from which they claim to obtain official banking or forex licenses.
Prior to the BCC’s crackdown, certain local administrative bodies—called “Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority,” “Mwali International Services Authority” (MISA), or similar—marketed services to international clients for corporate registrations and financial licenses. In practice, however, according to the Central Bank, any bank or financial services provider must be vetted and licensed exclusively by the BCC. These offshore “authorities” never had lawful authority to issue global banking or forex broker permits.
The Central Bank’s Official Position
On June 15, 2022, the Banque Centrale des Comores published a communiqué entitled Communiqué de la Banque Centrale des Comores sur l’exercice illégal d’activités bancaires offshores. The document warns the public to beware of multiple organizations claiming to hold or issue licenses within the Union of the Comoros, including:
Entities allegedly licensed by “Mwali International Services Authority (MISA).”
Entities allegedly licensed by Anjouan-based authorities, such as the “Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority.”
Various online platforms presenting themselves as “offshore banks” or “forex brokerages,” using registration documents from these islands.
According to the communiqué, none of these offshore “authorities” are recognized or authorized by the BCC, which underscores that the issuance of any such purported license is illegal. The BCC has lodged complaints with Comorian prosecutors (parquets de Moroni, Mutsamudu, and Moheli) to pursue legal action against these bodies and the entities that claim their licensure.
Exclusive Regulatory Authority
Under Comorian law, the BCC retains absolute authority to oversee, regulate, and license all banks and financial institutions in the country. Any firm claiming to be approved by alternative agencies—especially those in Anjouan or Moheli—has no genuine legal right to offer financial services. As a result, any reference to “Anjouan licensing” or “Moheli (Mwali) forex licensing” is, by definition, invalid and potentially indicates a scam.
Common Tactics by “Anjouan” or “Moheli” License Holders
Official-Looking Certificates
Brokers or financial companies may display certificates featuring stamps, seals, or Comorian symbols to appear legitimate. Despite the formal appearance, these documents do not confer legal status unless they bear the official backing of the BCC.
Use of Comoros-Related Domains
Websites such as anjouanregister.com or mwaliregistrar.com have masqueraded as genuine regulatory portals. The BCC explicitly lists such sites as part of the fraudulent network and strongly advises against engaging with them.
Rapid, Low-Cost Registration
Firms peddling these questionable licenses emphasize how quickly and cheaply one can become “licensed.” In genuine jurisdictions, the licensing process requires comprehensive background checks, compliance frameworks, and ongoing regulatory supervision—costly and time-intensive procedures inconsistent with “overnight” or “instant” approvals.
International “Umbrella” Claims
Some companies claim that an “Anjouan” or “Moheli (Mwali)” license can open doors to global markets (e.g., Europe, Asia). Since such licenses are not recognized by the BCC—or by any reputable regulator—they confer no legitimacy in foreign markets.
MetaQuotes’ Role and the Growing Controversy
An emerging point of concern revolves around MetaQuotes, the developer of MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 (MT4/MT5), which are among the world’s most popular trading platforms in the retail forex and CFD industry. While MetaQuotes is not a regulatory body, its willingness to grant platform licenses to entities based on dubious or unverified credentials has, according to industry critics, contributed to the proliferation of fraudulent brokers.
Acceptance of Comoros “Licenses”
Some brokers claiming Anjouan or Mwali (Moheli) licenses have reportedly obtained MT4 or MT5 platform rights from MetaQuotes. By recognizing these fake documents as if they were genuine regulatory approvals, MetaQuotes effectively gives fraudulent brokers the technological backbone to operate. This step can mislead traders into believing that if a broker can use MetaTrader software, it must be trustworthy.
Branding Power
MetaTrader’s reputation as the industry-standard platform often lends immediate credibility to any broker running it. Unsuspecting clients might assume that MetaQuotes has vetted or validated the broker’s regulatory standing, when in fact the software provider typically does not thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of a broker’s claimed license.
Calls for Stricter Vetting
Industry observers argue that MetaQuotes should adopt more robust due diligence processes, especially when a broker presents documentation from little-known or controversial sources like the “Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority” or “Mwali International Services Authority.” Failure to do so, these critics contend, enables scams to flourish, as unlicensed brokers can present themselves as “fully operational” on a globally recognized trading platform.
Impact on Traders
The apparent endorsement by an established software vendor often disarms potential investors’ skepticism. As a result, consumers deposit funds with a broker that neither holds a legitimate license nor offers any real protections—leaving traders especially vulnerable to fraud, financial loss, or a complete inability to recover their deposits.
Risks and Consequences
Legal Liabilities
Companies marketing themselves under “Mwali” or “Anjouan” licensing could face criminal or civil charges in Comoros or abroad. The BCC has taken steps to see these entities prosecuted, and other jurisdictions may also launch investigations or actions against them.
High Fraud Potential
The BCC explicitly ties many of these offshore setups to internet-based scams, Ponzi schemes, or unregulated brokerage activities. Investors who deposit funds with these firms often have no legal recourse if their money disappears.
Lack of Consumer Protection
Since these brokers are not recognized by any legitimate regulator, no consumer compensation schemes, dispute resolution mechanisms, or anti-fraud safeguards typically apply. Victims are left exposed, with minimal hope of recovering lost funds.
Damaged Credibility
The Union of the Comoros is working to uphold the integrity of its financial landscape. Illegal offshore operators undermine the country’s reputation as a compliant participant in international finance, while also exposing global traders to heightened risks.
How to Verify a Legitimate License
Check the BCC’s Official Lists
The Central Bank routinely publishes which banks and financial institutions are legally authorized to operate in the Comoros. As of June 2022, that list included recognized banks like Banque Fédérale de Commerce (BFC), Banque pour l’Industrie et le Commerce (BIC-Comores), and Exim Bank Comores SA, among others—and no mention of offshore “Anjouan” or “Mwali” agencies.
Research Overseas Regulation
Brokers claiming a global reach should ideally hold valid licenses in notable jurisdictions (e.g., the UK’s FCA, Australia’s ASIC). Thorough background checks on the broker’s website, regulatory ID, and contact details are crucial.
Demand Proof of Oversight
A legitimate regulator typically provides a searchable public register. If the broker’s claimed license can’t be found in any recognized database, consider that a severe warning sign.
Evaluate Professionalism and Transparency
Reputable firms typically have verifiable headquarters, clear corporate structures, and published financials audited by known accounting firms. Vague addresses, minimal disclosures, or unrealistic promises of outsized returns all signal potential fraud.
The Central Bank of Comoros’ communiqué leaves no room for doubt: any so-called banking or forex license from authorities in Anjouan or Moheli (Mwali) is fake. The BCC has declared these “offshore” agencies and the companies using their credentials to be operating outside the law—and has already filed complaints with the relevant legal bodies.
Nonetheless, MetaQuotes, the software provider behind MetaTrader 4 and 5, has reportedly granted access to its trading platforms for brokers claiming these fictitious licenses. By appearing to validate or ignore questionable documentation, MetaQuotes inadvertently fosters an environment in which scams can more easily take root, potentially harming unsuspecting traders who equate the usage of MT4/MT5 with regulatory legitimacy.
Investors, forex traders, and online consumers are therefore urged to remain vigilant. Conduct thorough checks on a broker’s legal standing and question any license with unknown or dubious origins—especially if it references “Anjouan,” “Moheli (Mwali),” or agencies unrecognized by the BCC. Ultimately, a legitimate forex brokerage must be licensed by a reputable regulator—not a self-styled “offshore authority” with no legitimate oversight. By exercising due diligence and avoiding these sham licenses, traders and investors can better protect themselves from fraudulent schemes.
Reference:
https://www.tradeinformer.com/fx-cfd-licensing/why-you-should-not-get-a-comoros-forex-broker-license
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