Seeing Double: clone firms more sophisticated
The cloning of real companies is a growing problem for both consumers and the business community. If it’s an issue you’ve never been particularly exercised about, it should be given it is now an area of “emerging” concern for Companies House.
A blog from its integrity and enforcement team confirms that CH has targeted “the exploitation of businesses through the cloning of legitimate companies”. And with its new powers under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, it has the ability to take firm action to protect genuine businesses.
A clone firm is an entity pretending to be an authorised or registered firm. Individual fraudsters may also ‘represent’ a clone firm pretending to be from the real, genuine firm – a tactic to scam the public and other businesses. They often copy the real firm’s website, its registered/ reference number and other details, but they often use impersonal email addresses and different phone numbers (which should be a red flag).
CH warns that their intention is typically to deceive suppliers, banks and other financial institutions; and fraudulently place large orders or seek investment under a fraudulent identity.
Organised crime groups are frequently behind these cloning activities and are adept at making a clone almost identical to the real deal. And the number of cloned firms are growing.
You only have to look at the Financial Conduct Authority’s Warning List of financial services firms to see the extent of the problem in that sector. In the first two weeks of October 2025 alone, the list shows numerous entities (some of which often change their names in an attempt to stay ahead).
According to CH, 786 companies incorporated between December 2023 and February 2024 were suspected to be fraudulent clones of genuine businesses in the hospitality sector (clones usually target financial or accountancy firms).
After the clones were discovered, CH removed 2,895 fraudulent appointments and 965 companies from the register and changed the names of 929 associated companies. Given this covered just three months, it is a clear warning that illustrates the level of ongoing of risk to firms. We can expect it to grow further as artificial intelligence enables criminals to become even more sophisticated.
AI-assisted cloning scams are now, for instance, enabling genuine-looking online presence and WhatsApp groups using the genuine company’s branding. The use of deep-fake videos purportedly with, eg a genuine firm’s senior people will be used more and more. And unless you know what you’re looking for, it can be difficult to spot the fake.
What can we do?
Anyone contacted from a new email address or phone number soliciting money, business and personal details, should always double check the source. Even a change in a single character in a URL or email address can easily be missed. You can also check phone numbers with directory enquiries and the company registration with CH.
If you identify a clone firm (or you have been cloned), report it to CH, the FCA and any other regulator or authorities as appropriate in your sector.
If you’re worried your firm could be cloned, there are steps you can take. Google alerts is simple to set up and can alert you if your business details and content are published elsewhere.
Crucially, involved your tech security personnel have the most effective and up-to-date measures in place to prevent or identify cloning.
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