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Lesson 14 of 14 · Free

Common mistakes and how to spot a scam

The traps that catch beginners — including the “gurus”, signal groups and fake brokers.

Author: Moustafa HijaziContent reviewed: 2026-10-301 min readSelf-study course

Mistakes

  • Trading without a stop-loss
  • Risking 10%+ per trade
  • Switching strategies after three losses
  • Trading too many markets and timeframes
  • Holding losers and cutting winners
  • Trading news events as a beginner
  • Using leverage without understanding position sizing

Scam red flags

  • Guaranteed or “fixed” returns (“10% per week”)
  • Screenshots of profits with no verified track record
  • Pressure to deposit quickly or with an “account manager”
  • Unregulated brokers, especially recommended by a “mentor”
  • Paid signal groups — if the signals worked, they wouldn't need your €50
  • Anyone asking for remote access to your computer or your login details
RememberNobody who can reliably predict the market needs to sell you a course, a signal or a bot. Including us — that's why we teach process and risk, and never promise profits.

Self-check

Answer the questions, then check your answers. You can retry as often as you like.

1. A social media 'mentor' promises a fixed 10% per week and recommends an unregulated broker. What should you think?

2. A seller shows screenshots of large past profits. What is the correct view?

3. Which of these is listed as a common mistake?

Automatic self-check for your own revision. Your answers are checked in your browser and are not seen or assessed by us. It is not an exam and not a qualification.

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