My 'broker' told me my account is 'under investigation' after a withdrawal request. Is this normal?

This whole 'account under investigation' line after a withdrawal request is a classic unregulated broker scam tactic, Isla. It's designed to create FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) and delay things. They're hoping you'll either pay an illegitimate 'fee' to speed up the 'investigation' or just give up. The 'unusual profit fluctuations' is just jargon they made up to sound official. Chances are, the profits themselves were fabricated data on your screen.

In Australia, your first port of call should be to check if the 'broker' is licensed by ASIC. If they're not, that's likely your answer right there. ASIC has a register of licensed financial service providers. If they're not on it, they're operating illegally in Australia. You should file a report with ASIC, and also with Scamwatch, which is run by the ACCC. Even if it doesn't get your money back, it helps authorities track these outfits.

Ugh, Isla, this is a classic red flag. The 'account under investigation' tactic is pretty common, especially for unregulated brokers. They basically want to stall you, hoping you'll either give up, or they'll eventually hit you with some ridiculous 'fee' to 'resolve' the investigation and release your funds. It's almost always a pretext to prevent withdrawals. A legitimate broker, especially one regulated by say, ASIC here or the FCA in the UK, would have clear terms for such investigations and wouldn't typically freeze funds indefinitely without concrete, provable reasons they communicate transparently. And 'unusual profit fluctuations'? That's vague to the point of uselessness; they often make up stuff like that when they're controlling the 'trading' anyway. You might have been caught in a boiler room operation where the numbers on your screen aren't real trades. Start documenting everything.

Oh wow, Isla, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It sounds incredibly stressful. My gut feeling, based on what you've described, is that your partner is probably right. This 'investigation' sounds like a delay tactic to drag things out while they figure out their next move to either block you or ask for more money. It's like they're trying to wear you down. Please don't beat yourself up about it; these scammers are really good at what they do. Just focus on gathering all your records now, every email, every deposit, every chat. It's a horrible situation, but you're not alone. So many people fall for these, myself included. Hang in there.

Hmm, 'under investigation' after profits grew 'unbelievably fast.' Sounds a bit like you found yourself in a situation where the returns were too good to be true, didn't it? No legitimate investment grows 'unbelievably fast' without serious, serious risk, which they likely didn't explain. And now they're investigating? It's a neat trick – they control both the 'growth' and the 'investigation.' If they're not asking for money *yet*, they will. Mark my words. They're just setting the stage. Be very, very careful about any further communication, especially if they ask for any 'fees' to 'clear' the investigation. It's a standard play in the scam book, unfortunately. Good luck, hope you get something back.

My friend in Dubai went through something similar, Isla. His 'broker' based somewhere offshore kept showing him huge profits, like 50% in a month, then when he asked to withdraw even a little, boom, 'compliance issues' or 'account security review.' They never asked for money directly for these 'reviews' initially, but eventually, they'd come up with some 'tax' or 'insurance' fee that had to be paid *before* withdrawal. He lost quite a bit trying to chase those phantom profits. This 'investigation' is definitely a red flag. Real brokers might have an investigation process, but it's usually transparent, time-bound, and doesn't magically appear only when you want your money back. Don't fall for any further demands.

Ja, this is very common. An investigation like this, especially when it comes out of nowhere right after you ask for money, is almost always a scam tactic. Real financial institutions, even if they investigate, follow strict protocols. They identify themselves clearly, explain the specific issues, and usually give a timeframe. 'Weeks, maybe months' with vague reasons like 'unusual profit fluctuations' is exactly what unregulated scam platforms say. This is not how legitimate trading works. Here in Germany, BaFin would investigate such a broker very quickly if it were licensed here. Your best bet is to assume the money is likely gone, but don't give them another cent. That's the most important thing. Any further fees will just be throwing good money after bad.

Naiyo, this is definitely a huge red flag. Like, a whole parade of red flags. A legitimate broker would have clear terms of service regarding withdrawals and potential investigations. They wouldn't typically just freeze an account and give a vague reason like 'unusual profit fluctuations' only after you request to take your money out. It sounds like they're trying to keep your funds from you. I see you're in Australia; if they're not regulated by ASIC, then they're probably not legitimate. Here in Singapore, MAS is super strict about who can offer financial services. If a company tried this here, they'd be shut down quick. Don't hesitate to report them to your local authorities like ASIC and Scamwatch. And please, do NOT send them any more money, no matter what 'fee' they invent next.

Oh man, Isla, I got hit with a similar one last year. Not an 'investigation' per se, but they kept saying my 'KYC' (know-your-customer stuff) wasn't complete, even though I'd sent it all in like three times. Every time I tried to withdraw, there was a new 'document missing' or 'verification failed.' It went on for over a month until I finally gave up on seeing my money. It's their way of stonewalling. They're making it so frustrating that you just walk away. It's infuriating. Don't give in. Keep records, but steel yourself – it's a tough fight.

Absolutely not normal, Isla. This is the oldest trick in the book for these scam brokers. They get you to deposit, show you 'profits' on a fake platform, and the moment you try to withdraw, suddenly there's some 'issue.' 'Investigation,' 'compliance review,' 'tax payment required' – it's all just excuses. They make it up to prevent you from getting your money. My cousin in Utrecht lost like 10k EUR to one of these a couple years back. The AFM in the Netherlands actually has a decent public warning list. Yours is an unregulated entity, I'm pretty sure. Do not send them another cent. Seriously. Any money you send now to 'clear' the investigation will also just disappear.

Sorry to hear this, Isla. It's a sad reality that these entities prey on people, and this 'account under investigation' is a common stall tactic. They sometimes even hope you'll get impatient and deposit more, thinking it'll unlock your funds. It won't. I'd definitely encourage you to explore whether a chargeback is possible with your bank, especially if you paid by card. The sooner you do that, the better your chances. Detail everything with them and explain it's an investment scam. Also, report them to ASIC, regardless of whether you think you'll get your money back. It helps protect others.

Oh mate, this is a classic. That "suspicious activity" line? Total scare tactic. They know you're getting nervous. If it seems too good to be true, it almost always is. Especially with these slick online platforms that pop up out of nowhere.

I remember a similar thing happening to my cousin with FXChoice – they told him he owed fees on "phantom profits" before he could get any money out. He never saw a dime again. The profits were unrealistically fast, just like you described. They lure you in with fake gains, then freeze the account when you try to cash out.

Your partner is right to be worried. Don't send them any more money, no matter what they ask for later. If they ask for taxes or 'verification fees' etc. – it's definitely a scam. Report them to ASIC. They're the ones who handle this stuff in Australia. Get everything in writing, every single email.

That sounds incredibly stressful, and I'm really sorry you're going through this. It’s completely understandable why you'd feel sick to your stomach. That feeling when you can't access your own money, especially when you thought it was growing, is awful.

Take a deep breath, okay? Your partner's gut feeling is probably spot on. These kinds of delays and investigations often happen when the platform isn't legitimate. Try to keep all communication records saved securely. Even if it takes time, gathering all the evidence is the first step.

RUN. Don't walk, just RUN. This is precisely how these scams operate. They dangle a carrot of impossible gains, get you invested, and then when you want your money back, they invent reasons to keep it. "Under investigation" is their favorite phrase. It sounds official, but it means nothing.

I saw a friend lose loads with something similar through OptionStarsGlobal. They just kept asking for more "verification documents" and "processing fees." Never got a cent back. ASIC is your best bet for reporting, but honestly, the chances of getting your money back from these types are slim to none once they lock you out. Don't send them ANY more money. Even if they claim it's for taxes or a transfer fee.

Oh no, that sounds like a nightmare. I've heard similar stories, and the 'under investigation' line is a huge red flag. It’s designed to make you panic and give them more time while they might be getting ready to disappear.

Seriously, don't send them any more money. If they ask for a 'tax payment' or a 'withdrawal processing fee' to release your funds – it's 100% a scam. They drain people's accounts this way. It’s heartbreaking to see. Hang in there, and try to document everything. Every email, every chat message.

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. It feels like a punch to the gut. I was in a similar situation last year. Put in about $6k with a platform that promised crazy returns. When I tried to withdraw $2k, suddenly my account was 'flagged for review.'.

They told me I needed to pay a 'compliance fee' of $500 to release my funds. I was desperate and paid it. Then they asked for another $1000 for 'international transfer taxes.' I ended up losing the whole lot. It took me months to even admit to myself I'd been scammed. Keep all documentation. ASIC is the authority in Australia, I believe. Try them.

Hmm, that email sounds suspicious, ngl. "Unusual profit fluctuations"? Most trading platforms would consider that a *good* thing. The fact they are making it a problem and blocking your withdrawal is a major warning sign.

It’s a common tactic for fake brokers. They let you *see* profits to make you deposit more, but when you want to take *any* money out, they invent hurdles. This 'investigation' is just a stall. Maybe check if the platform is regulated by ASIC at all? Their website should clearly state their license number. If it's not there, or it's vague, that's another bad sign.

Been there. That message is boilerplate for a scam operation. They get you hooked with quick, unbelievable profits, then use that as the reason to *not* let you withdraw. "Suspicious activity" because you're *making* money? Makes no sense. They wanted to keep your money in their system.

My advice? Cease all contact immediately. Don't reply to their emails. Go straight to ASIC and file a report. Give them the website URL, the emails, everything you have. I lost a few thousand too and learned the hard way. The best tip is: never invest more than you can afford to lose, and always use a regulated broker. If they’re not regulated, walk away.

Oh dear, that sounds terribly familiar. My brother fell for something very similar about two years ago. He invested about 3k and saw it jump to 5k very quickly. When he wanted to pull out 1k, they suddenly said his account was "under review for market manipulation."

They kept him on the phone for hours, trying to convince him to invest even more to "stabilize his position." He wouldn't budge, thankfully. They ended up just blocking his account entirely after a week of excuses. He never got his initial investment back. He reported it to BaFin, but it was an offshore operation so they couldn't do much. Keep every single piece of proof you have.

This is a textbook scam, I'm afraid. They lull you in with promises of fast, easy money and then, when you try to withdraw even a small amount, they hit you with these made-up "investigations." It's a scare tactic to make you give up or to buy more time for them to vanish.

Never, ever send them additional money for "fees" or "taxes" to release your funds. That's how they get the rest of your money. Report this to ASIC immediately. The faster you report it, the slightly better your chances, though I know it's tough. Don't let them drag this out.

Oh gosh, that sounds awful! I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation. It's completely normal to feel sick about it – anyone would. The "investigation" excuse is a classic sign of a scam, sadly.

I had a friend who went through something similar with a crypto platform. They kept telling her the market was volatile, so she couldn't withdraw. She eventually just cut her losses and reported them to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) here in the UK. It didn't get her money back, but it might help them shut down the scammer. Keep all your emails, screenshots, everything.

I know exactly how you feel. That knot in your stomach is the worst. I had around $5,000AUD with a platform just like the one you described. Put it in, saw it grow – felt like a genius. Then I tried to pull out $1,000 to pay for a car service. Suddenly, my account was "under review." They said I had to pay a $500 "risk management fee" first. I paid it. Then they wanted another $800 for "anti-money laundering checks."

It's a scam. Absolutely. They'll keep inventing fees. I reported it to ASIC, but they told me that because the company was registered offshore, their hands were tied. My real tip: always check if the broker is licensed by ASIC *before* you deposit money. If you can't find their ASIC number easily, walk away.

This is precisely the modus operandi of offshore forex scams. The "suspicious activity" and "investigation" are common ploys to prevent you from withdrawing funds. High, rapid profits are usually a fabricated metric on their end. They are designed to make you feel confident before they inevitably freeze your access.

In the UAE, we have the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) for free zone entities and the Central Bank of the UAE for onshore ones. While they might not be able to directly assist with retrieving funds already lost to an offshore entity, reporting it to them, and crucially, to ASIC in Australia, is vital. They maintain databases of fraudulent operators. Don't engage further with the platform. Any communication should be purely for gathering evidence for your report.

Je me suis fait avoir exactement de la même manière il y a deux ans. "Activité suspecte", "enquête", blablabla. J'avais mis 3000 euros et ils m'ont dit que je ne pouvais pas retirer mes "gains" car j'avais fait trop de transactions "non standard". N'importe quoi.

Ils m'ont demandé de payer 800 euros pour "frais de dossier". J'ai payé, bien sûr, idiot que j'étais. Ensuite, ils ont dit qu'il fallait payer une taxe de 1500 euros pour le transfert international. J'ai tout perdu. L'AMF France ne pouvait rien faire car la société était basée aux îles Caïmans. Ne donnez plus un centime. Ils vont juste continuer à vous demander de l'argent.

This is a classic scam, unfortunately. The 'under investigation' line is a stall tactic. They want to keep your money tied up. Unusually high profits are usually a sign the platform isn't real or is manipulating the numbers to keep you invested. They prey on greed and then fear.

When you try to withdraw, they try to scare you into thinking *you've* done something wrong. It's incredibly stressful. My advice: Stop all communication. Go directly to ASIC. If they ask you to pay more money for 'taxes' or 'fees,' it's a scam, guaranteed. They'll keep inventing reasons to take more of your cash. Sometimes, you end up just having to report it and accept the loss.

Ah, that sounds awful, I’m so sorry. I know that feeling of dread. This particular tactic – the "under investigation" excuse – is a very common scam. They make it sound official, but it’s just a way to block your withdrawal and hope you go away or deposit more.

I had a situation years back where a betting site tried this. They said my account was "under review" after I won a decent amount. They blocked my withdrawal for weeks. I ended up reporting them to IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service) here in the UK. It took ages, but they eventually reviewed it and made the site pay out. Might be worth checking if there's a similar independent body for financial disputes in Australia, besides ASIC.

This is a well-known scam. The "unusual profit fluctuations" is the bait-and-switch. They want you to believe you're a great trader, then use your success as the reason they can't pay you. The investigation is fake. They are stalling for time, maybe hoping you'll deposit more, or just waiting to disappear.

I was in a similar boat a few years ago. Lost about $2k. They kept asking me for 'identity verification' documents, then 'proof of funds,' then a 'transaction fee.' Each step was just another way to bleed me dry. My mistake was sending them more money. Don't do that. Report them to ASIC. If they ask for more money, just stop responding.

Oh dear, that sounds awful. It's a horrible feeling when you think your money is safe and then suddenly it's not. The "under investigation" line is such a huge red flag. They know it sounds serious and official, but it's usually just a made-up excuse.

This happened to my friend's husband recently with a similar-sounding platform. He'd put in $3k and wanted to take out $500. They said he needed to pay a $200 "verification fee" first. He paid it, then they asked for another $400 for "international transfer clearance." He never saw the money again. He reported it to the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, but it was tough going. Definitely don't send them any more money.

I'm so sorry to hear this. It sounds incredibly stressful and upsetting. That "investigation" excuse is a really common tactic for scam operations, unfortunately. They make it sound legitimate to justify why they can't give you your money back!

My advice would be to stay calm and gather all your evidence. Every email, every transaction record, every chat log. You should report this to ASIC in Australia. They are the financial regulator there and are the best point of contact. It’s a long shot, but reporting it is the right thing to do.

Ugh, this is the worst. The "under investigation" line is a classic scammer move. They say that to make you panic and hope you just give up, or worse, that you'll pay them more money to "expedite" the investigation. It's a total setup.

I lost about £2,000 to a fake investment app last year. They told me I owed them 'capital gains tax' before I could withdraw my 'profits.' I paid it, and then they asked for another fee for 'compliance.' Complete scam. They eventually just vanished. The FCA in the UK couldn't do much as it was an unregulated app. Don't send them any more money. Zero. Zilch. Report them to ASIC, but honestly, recovering funds from these types is incredibly difficult.