Is 'Crypto Trace Investigators' demanding a 'transaction re-routing fee' another crypto recovery scam?

asked 9d ago3 views70 answers
0

Hi everyone,

I'm in a bit of a state after getting totally fleeced a few months back on a fake crypto investment platform. Lost almost everything, it was brutal. Anyway, out of the blue, I got an email this week from a company calling themselves 'Crypto Trace Investigators'. They said they'd found my case linked to a bunch of other scam victims and could actually recover my funds.

They even sent me a screenshot of some dashboard showing my original scammer's wallet address and a 'pending transfer' back to my wallet. They're saying they have some 'advanced blockchain hacking' techniques and can 're-route' the transactions. But now they're asking for a 'transaction re-routing fee' – about 2.5k euro – to finalise it. They said they need it to cover the 'computational resources' and 'network gas fees' for the re-routing process.

It feels too good to be true, especially after being burned once. Is this just another scam preying on desperate people like me? I'm terrified of losing even more money. Any advice?

70 Answers

47

Cian, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's an absolute classic recovery scam tactic, designed to hit people when they're at their most vulnerable. Those 'blockchain hacking' claims are 100% pure fiction, total nonsense. You can't just 're-route' confirmed blockchain transactions – that's fundamentally not how crypto works. Once a transaction is on the blockchain, it's immutable, it can't be reversed or altered by anyone, not even 'hackers'.

These scammers are preying on your lack of technical knowledge about blockchain. The 'screenshot' they sent? Completely faked, no doubt about it. They create elaborate, convincing-looking dashboards to make you believe they're doing real work. The 'transaction re-routing fee' is just an advance fee scam, another way to extract money from you. Don't pay them another cent, please. Your funds are not recoverable through these means. Your best bet is to report it to An Garda Síochána and the FBI IC3, but unfortunately, direct recovery by these types of firms is never legitimate.

Niamh Smith · Limerick, Irelandanswered 9d ago
28

Oh no, Cian, that sounds absolutely awful. It's so unfair that they target people who've already been through so much. Please, please don't send them any more money. Niamh is totally right, you just can't reverse crypto transactions like that. It's a fundamental security feature of blockchain. They're just trying to get you a second time. My heart goes out to you, really. Stay strong and don't fall for it.

Sophie Fischer · Cologne, Germanyanswered 9d ago
33

Mate, anyone claiming they can 'hack' a blockchain to 're-route' funds after they've been confirmed is talking absolute rubbish. It's like saying you can un-print a newspaper or un-send an email. The whole point of blockchain is its immutability. If they could actually do that, the entire crypto world would collapse. Total red flag. These blokes are just trying to double dip, they'll take your 2.5k and you'll never hear from them again. Don't even think about it.

Oliver Wilson · Darwin, Australiaanswered 9d ago
41

As someone who works in fraud prevention (not officially, just part of my job), I can tell you this is a classic 'recovery scam'. They wait for victims of original scams to surface, usually through leaked data or just cold calling, then they offer to 'help'. The key giveaway is *any* upfront fee. Legit law enforcement or reputable fraud investigators (like Action Fraud here in the UK) would never ask you for money to recover your stolen funds. Never, ever. This 'transaction re-routing fee' is just another scam, trying to squeeze more out of you. Save your money, don't engage.

Hannah Harris · Liverpool, United Kingdomanswered 9d ago
22

Ugh, this makes my blood boil. I got caught by a similar one last year, not crypto but a fake forex thing. Then these 'recovery specialists' called 'Claims Justice' emailed me, saying they could get it back but needed an 'administrative fee'. I was so desperate, I almost paid it. Thankfully, my husband talked some sense into me. It was just another attempt to steal more. They play on your desperation. Please, Cian, learn from my almost-mistake. Block them and move on. It hurts, I know, but don't let them hurt you again.

Anna Visser · Nijmegen, Netherlandsanswered 9d ago
38

Cian, this is textbook 'secondary scamming' or 'recovery fraud'. The core principle of blockchain is cryptographic security and immutability. A confirmed transaction is irreversible. Any entity claiming to 're-route' or 'hack' blockchain to recover funds is fundamentally misrepresenting how the technology works and is, unequivocally, a scammer. The 'computational resources' and 'network gas fees' are simply jargon designed to sound legitimate and justify the advance fee. Legitimate recovery efforts focus on tracing funds to exchanges or financial institutions where they might be frozen or identifying the perpetrators for legal action, not 'hacking' the blockchain itself. You absolutely should not pay this fee. Report them to your local authorities and the FBI IC3 if you're in the US, or Action Fraud if in the UK. Many official bodies, like the FCA, issue warnings about these very types of fraudulent recovery services.

Emma Botha · Pretoria, South Africaanswered 9d ago
19

Man, this happened to me too, like, a year ago. I got hit by a pig butchering scam, lost about 15k. Then some 'recovery agent' hit me up, saying they could 'reverse the transactions' for a 'blockchain verification fee.' I was so mad at myself for falling for the first one, I almost fell for the second. It felt like my last chance. Luckily, a friend who's into tech told me straight up it was total BS, you can't just undo crypto transactions. They're just trying to take more of your money, dude. Don't fall for it again. It sucks, I know. It really does.

Jason Young · Seattle, USAanswered 9d ago
17

Oh Cian, my heart breaks for you. It's such a terrible feeling, that desperation to get your money back, and then these awful people come along to exploit it. It's absolutely a scam, honey. They're just playing on your hopes. No legitimate company or person can undo blockchain transactions. The best thing you can do is block them and try to focus on healing from the first scam. There's support out there for victims, even if the money isn't recoverable. Please don't let them take another penny from you.

Fatima Sheikh · Al Ain, UAEanswered 9d ago
12

Cian, what a terrible situation to be in. It's so common for scam victims to be re-targeted, unfortunately. The 'Crypto Trace Investigators' and their claims of 'blockchain hacking' and 're-routing' are definite hallmarks of a recovery scam. It's simply not possible to reverse confirmed blockchain transactions. Any talk of 'computational resources' and 'network gas fees' for such an action is just technical-sounding mumbo jumbo designed to trick you. Do not pay them. Report them to your local police and consider checking if the BBB has any reports on them.

Rachel Chua · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 9d ago
9

Totally agree with everyone here. You can't 're-route' a blockchain transaction, it's literally impossible. These guys are just trying to get that 2.5k out of you and then they'll disappear. Had a similar thing happen with a mate who lost cash on a dodgy investment. Then he got contacted by some 'Action Refund' outfit wanting a 'legal deposit' to start their 'recovery process'. Same trick, different name. Don't fall for it again, man. Cut contact and move on.

Jack O'Brien · Belfast, Irelandanswered 9d ago
6

Yes, this screams scam. 'Crypto Trace Investigators' sounds like a made-up entity. No legitimate recovery firm operates like this, especially not demanding upfront fees for 're-routing' — that's not how blockchain or fund recovery works. They are likely the same people who scammed you initially, or a related group, trying to get more money. Report this new attempt to the FBI IC3. Do NOT send them any money.

Niamh Quinn · Waterford, Irelandanswered 9d ago
3

Oh mate, I'm so sorry you're going through this again. It's absolutely gutting when you think there's a way back and then it turns out to be another trap. These people prey on the hope that's left. Don't send them a cent. It’s a common tactic. Sending you strength.

Charlie Walker · Perth, Australiaanswered 9d ago
5

Attention! This is a classic double-dip scam. They take your money, then pretend to be someone who can get it back, asking for *more* money. There is no 'transaction re-routing fee' for blockchain recovery. If you want to report this, you can contact the FCA in the UK if you have any connection there, or your local financial regulator. Do not engage further with these people.

Mia Michel · Lille, Franceanswered 9d ago
7

I fell for something similar after losing my savings last year. They said they were 'special agents' who could freeze the scammer's account. Asked for a 'legal processing fee'. Lost another 1.5k euro. It was a hard lesson. These guys are vultures. Block them immediately and never reply again. There's no magic bullet to get crypto back once it's gone, sadly.

Daan de Boer · Almere, Netherlandsanswered 9d ago
4

I am in the exact same boat. I got an email from 'Crypto Recovery Specialists' and they also showed me a fake dashboard. They wanted a fee for 'court charges'. I was so desperate I almost paid. Thank goodness I saw a post on Reddit warning about this exact scam. I feel sick just thinking about it. Please, please don't send them money.

Hannah Tan · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 9d ago
6

From a technical standpoint, 'transaction re-routing' via 'advanced blockchain hacking' and 'computational resources' is nonsensical. Blockchain transactions are immutable. Once confirmed, they cannot be 're-routed' like a package. Any entity claiming this is either ignorant or deliberately misleading. The 'fee' is simply another extraction of funds. Consider reporting them to Action Fraud in the UK if applicable, or a similar body like the FBI IC3.

Jun Lee · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 9d ago
3

Oh no, that sounds awful. I can only imagine how you must be feeling, especially after going through the initial scam. It's so cruel that these people exploit victims' hope like that. Please stay strong and don't let them take any more from you. You're not alone in this.

Aoife Quinn · Limerick, Irelandanswered 9d ago
5

This is a textbook advance-fee fraud, specifically targeting crypto victims. The narrative of 'finding your case' and 're-routing funds' is designed to exploit the victim's desire for restitution. There are no such 'computational resources' or 'network gas fees' required for a recovery operation that looks like this. Report this to your local police and also consider filing a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Emma Schneider · Dusseldorf, Germanyanswered 9d ago
4

Wait — 'transaction re-routing fee'? That sounds like pure BS. Who are these 'Crypto Trace Investigators'? Never heard of them, and believe me, I've looked into every possible recovery angle after my own disaster. If they had a legitimate way to 'hack' or 're-route' crypto, they wouldn't be asking you for a small fee like that. They'd be unstoppable. Definitely a scam.

Mia Johnson · Hobart, Australiaanswered 9d ago
6

This is a very common scam variant. The entities claiming to recover funds by demanding upfront fees for 'operational costs,' 'legal fees,' or 'transaction fees' are almost invariably fraudulent. Real, regulated financial recovery firms (if they even exist for crypto) would operate on contingency or a percentage of funds *recovered*, not an upfront payment for a process that doesn't exist. Stick to reporting channels like the FBI IC3.

Daan Bakker · Almere, Netherlandsanswered 9d ago
7

This is unfortunately a very well-known scam pattern targeting victims of previous crypto fraud. The fraudsters are essentially running a secondary scam. They create a plausible-sounding story involving technical jargon ('blockchain hacking,' 'computational resources') to justify an upfront fee. A key red flag is any demand for payment *before* funds are demonstrably recovered. Always verify any recovery service through independent channels and report such attempts.

Maximilian Wagner · Hannover, Germanyanswered 9d ago
4

Ugh, another one? My uncle got hit by a similar thing after his bitcoin got stolen last year. They were called 'Crypto Refund Agency' or something equally shifty. They showed him fake transaction screenshots too and asked for a 'transfer fee'. He nearly sent them money, but I convinced him it was fake. Always be super wary of anyone promising easy crypto recovery, especially if they want cash upfront. Report it to the BBB.

Saar de Groot · Rotterdam, Netherlandsanswered 9d ago
6

The described methodology – 'advanced blockchain hacking' and 'transaction re-routing' for a fee – is technically infeasible for recovering funds lost to a scam. Blockchain is immutable. Recovery efforts, if possible at all, typically involve legal channels or cooperation with law enforcement agencies, not these kinds of upfront payments. I strongly advise reporting this attempt to the FBI IC3 or your national cybercrime unit.

Jun Goh · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 9d ago
3

This sounds exactly like what happened to my neighbour, Mrs. Lim. She lost about 5,000 SGD to a fake Forex platform last year. Then these people, 'Global Asset Recovery', emailed her saying they could get it back. They asked for a 'processing fee' of 500 SGD. She was so tempted but thankfully her son stopped her. Please be careful! It's heartbreaking.

Grace Mokoena · Cape Town, South Africaanswered 9d ago
5

This is a classic follow-on scam. The initial theft creates a 'lead' for these secondary scammers who pose as recovery specialists. The technical jargon used is meant to sound impressive but is fundamentally flawed. No legitimate entity would demand an upfront 're-routing fee' for crypto recovery. If you've been targeted, you can report it to the FBI IC3 or potentially your local police department's fraud unit.

Olivia Gagnon · Ottawa, Canadaanswered 9d ago
4

Yeah, I got one of those emails too, but from 'Secure Crypto Recovery'. They also showed fake transaction details and wanted a fee. I told my wife and she said, 'If they could do that, why aren't they billionaires?' That really stuck with me. It’s a good way to think about it. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is. Don't pay them anything.

William Gagne · Victoria, Canadaanswered 9d ago
5

I was contacted by a similar group after losing money on an NFT rug pull. They claimed to be affiliated with Action Refund (which I later found out is a scam itself). They wanted a fee to 'unfreeze' my assets. Luckily, I checked their reviews and saw tons of complaints. They're just trying to get more money from victims. Block and report them. It's horrible how they prey on people.

Ethan Fortin · Calgary, Canadaanswered 9d ago
6

This 'Crypto Trace Investigators' sounds like pure theatre. The whole 'blockchain hacking' and 're-routing' bit is nonsense. Recovery of stolen crypto is extremely difficult and rare, and never involves paying upfront fees for fictional processes. These are likely the same scammers trying to get more money, or another group profiting from the same victim pool. You should report them to the FBI IC3. They track this stuff.

Thomas Brown · Newcastle, Australiaanswered 9d ago
7

Don't do it. Seriously. I got an email like that after losing my savings on what I thought was a legit crypto fund. They said they needed a 'processing fee' to get my money back. I sent them $500. Never heard from them again. Just another scam. It makes me sick. Please, for your sake, don't send them anything else.

William Gauthier · Ottawa, Canadaanswered 9d ago
5

This is a very common scam. 'Crypto Trace Investigators' is likely not a real company. They are scammers posing as recovery specialists. The blockchain is public but not easily 'hacked' or 're-routed' in the way they describe, especially not for a fee. Any legitimate recovery attempt would be through official channels, and likely involve reporting to authorities like the FBI IC3 or your national law enforcement. Do not pay them.

Wei Chua · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 9d ago
7

This sounds exactly like a common follow-on scam. They identified you as a victim of a previous crypto scam, likely from a leaked database or by monitoring your online activity. The 'advanced blockchain hacking' and 'transaction re-routing' are pure fiction. These fees are designed to extract more money from you. Real recovery operations, if they even exist for typical crypto scams, wouldn't operate this way. Report them to the authorities, but don't send them any more money.

Khalid Al Falasi · Ajman, UAEanswered 9d ago
5

Oh no, that sounds incredibly stressful, especially after what you’ve already been through. It’s completely understandable why you’d be scared of losing more. That whole 'transaction re-routing fee' sounds like a massive red flag. Please be super careful. You’ve already been through so much, and I’m really hoping you don't have to deal with more of this.

Maybe try to see if Action Fraud or the FBI IC3 have any guidance on these types of recovery scams? They might have seen this 'Crypto Trace Investigators' outfit before.

Sara Al Qasimi · Sharjah, UAEanswered 9d ago
6

Hang on, 'advanced blockchain hacking' to 're-route' transactions? That doesn't sound right. Blockchain is designed to be immutable. If they could just 'hack' and reroute things, everyone would be doing it, and there wouldn't be any actual scams. This smells fishy, big time. They're probably just trying to get another chunk of money from you. That screenshot could be faked easily. Ngl, I'd trust my gut on this one.

Ava Fortin · Quebec City, Canadaanswered 9d ago
4

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. It's awful how these scammers target people who have already lost money. That 'fee' they're asking for is a classic tactic. If they could recover your funds, they'd likely take a percentage *after* the funds were returned, not demand upfront fees. Keep your guard up, and please don't send them anything else. Have you considered reaching out to a consumer protection agency in Canada like the BBB? They might offer advice.

William Roy · Winnipeg, Canadaanswered 9d ago
9

Yep, been there. That's the classic double-tap scam. First, they steal your money, then they 'offer' to get it back for a fee. It's sickening. Those 'blockchain hacking' claims? Garbage. They're just messing with you. That email and screenshot are likely total fabrications. Don't send them a single cent more. The only way to deal with these jokers is to cut contact and report them. I reported mine to the FBI IC3.

Niamh Walsh · Dublin, Irelandanswered 9d ago
8

STOP. Do not send them any more money. This is absolutely a scam. 'Crypto Trace Investigators' is likely a made-up name, and their whole story about recovering funds through 'advanced hacking' is a lie. They are preying on your desperation. Asking for an upfront fee, especially for 'computational resources' or 'gas fees', is a huge red flag. Report this incident to your local authorities and, if possible, a national agency like Action Fraud in the UK. Block all communication with them immediately.

Jack Kelly · Limerick, Irelandanswered 9d ago
5

This is really tough to hear, especially knowing how devastating losing crypto can be. It's completely natural to want your money back, but these 'recovery' outfits are almost always scams themselves. That fee sounds like a massive alarm bell. Think about it – if they had a legitimate way to recover funds, why would they need you to pay upfront for 'gas fees'? They'd likely take their cut from the recovered amount. Stay strong and keep that wallet securely closed to them!

Ahmed Khan · Abu Dhabi, UAEanswered 9d ago
7

Oh god, that sounds exactly like what happened to my mate last year. He got scammed, then got contacted by some 'recovery' firm demanding fees. Turns out it was the same scammers or a syndicate working with them. They just wanted to fleece him again. Blockchain 'hacking'? Honestly, that's laughable. The only thing you should do is report them. Maybe try the FBI IC3 – they track these international scams. Never pay upfront fees for recovery.

Jack Quinn · Belfast, Irelandanswered 9d ago
6

I recognize this pattern. It's a classic scam designed to exploit victims of previous fraud. The promise of recovery using 'advanced techniques' is a lure. The demand for an upfront 'transaction fee' is the hook to get more money from you. They are professional con artists. Do not engage further. Cease all communication. Report this 'company' to bodies like the FCA in the UK, or your local financial regulators. Your best bet is to learn from this and move on, sadly.

Raphael Richard · Nice, Franceanswered 9d ago
7

I wish I had good news, but this sounds like another scam. I lost money too, and then got contacted by people claiming they could get it back. They asked for 'processing fees'. It was just more money down the drain. The screenshot could be fake. They just want your money. I'm so sorry you're going through this again. It's incredibly hard, but please don't give them any more euros.

Lea Bernard · Nantes, Franceanswered 9d ago
4

You're absolutely right to be suspicious. That whole story sounds highly suspect. 'Advanced blockchain hacking' isn't really a thing in the way they're describing it for recovery. If they could just 're-route' transactions, the whole system would be broken. They're likely preying on your hope. My advice? Don't send them anything. Instead, consider reporting it to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or even the BBB. They might have information on these types of recovery scams.

Grace Martin · Darwin, Australiaanswered 9d ago
7

This is textbook. They find your details, promise the moon, and then ask for an upfront fee. It's a cruel scam. I fell for something similar once, though not crypto. They talked about 'legal fees' and 'administrative costs'. It was all lies. That screenshot is likely doctored. Please, please do not send them the 2.5k. Cut off contact. Reporting it to the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) might be worthwhile, though I know recovery is rare.

Anna Becker · Hamburg, Germanyanswered 9d ago
6

Wow, that's a nasty one. They are definitely scamming you. 'Crypto Trace Investigators' is a fabricated name, and the whole 're-routing fee' is their way of stealing more. You can't just 'hack' blockchain transactions like that, especially not to recover funds for someone else. They are banking on your desperation. Block them and ignore everything. If you want to report it, try the FBI IC3 or even Action Fraud. They keep databases of these scam operations.

Arthur Laurent · Montpellier, Franceanswered 9d ago
5

It’s a common tactic, unfortunately. Scammers often target people who have already been victims, thinking they are more likely to pay again in the hope of getting their original investment back. The 'transaction re-routing fee' is a classic sign of a recovery scam. There's no such thing as a legitimate 'blockchain hacking' service for recovering funds like this. Please do not send them any money. You can report them to the FBI IC3 or your local law enforcement.

Arthur Leroy · Marseille, Franceanswered 8d ago
7

I experienced something very similar. Lost a good chunk in forex scam last year. Then got an email about recovery, needing a 'service fee'. It was exactly the same. They are just predators. That screenshot? Probably from a scam tutorial site or just made up. They know you're desperate. Please, for your own sake, do not send them any more money. Block them. I know it's hard, but walking away is the only option.

Grace Tay · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 8d ago
6

This is a known scam pattern. They identify victims of previous crypto scams and offer recovery services for an upfront fee. The 'advanced blockchain hacking' and 'transaction re-routing' are false promises. Block all communication and do not send them any money. Reporting it to the FBI IC3 is a good step, as they track these types of fraudulent operations. These recovery scams are designed to prey on desperation.

Lucas Cote · Ottawa, Canadaanswered 8d ago
7

Oh dear, that sounds exactly like a recovery scam. They find you after you've been scammed, promise to get your money back, and then ask for an upfront fee. It's a double scam. The tech jargon they use, like 'advanced blockchain hacking' and 'transaction re-routing', is just to confuse you and make it sound legitimate. It's almost certainly fake. Please don't send them any more money. Cut contact and report them to the FBI IC3.

Sem de Jong · Rotterdam, Netherlandsanswered 8d ago
8

This is a classic 'recovery scam'. The same people, or a similar group, who scammed you initially might even be behind this. They know you're desperate. The language they use about 'hacking' and 're-routing' is designed to sound impressive but is meaningless in this context for recovery. There is no legitimate 'transaction re-routing fee' for recovering stolen crypto. Please do not pay. Report them to your local financial regulator, like De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), and the FBI IC3.

Lerato Nel · Pretoria, South Africaanswered 8d ago
9

I can confirm this is a scam. These 'recovery firms' are almost always fake. They contact previous victims, promise recovery, and demand upfront fees – often for bogus 'legal' or 'technical' costs. 'Crypto Trace Investigators' sounds like a made-up name. They do not have 'advanced blockchain hacking' capabilities to recover funds in this manner. Report this to the FBI IC3. The best advice I can give is to never trust anyone who contacts you offering to recover lost funds, especially if they demand money first.

Christopher Gonzalez · San Diego, USAanswered 8d ago
8

This is precisely how they operate. They've already got your money, now they want more. That story about 're-routing' and 'gas fees' is pure nonsense. They are likely the same people or connected to the original scammers. Do yourself a favour and block them immediately. Don't reply, don't send anything. It's heartbreaking, I know, but you have to cut your losses. Report it to the FBI IC3 if you want, but don't expect miracles. It's just another way they try to screw you over.

Louise Lefebvre · Marseille, Franceanswered 8d ago
15

This is a classic scam pattern, a variation on recovery fraud. There's no legitimate company that can 'hack' or 're-route' transactions in the way they describe to get your money back. If they're asking for an upfront fee, especially for 'computational resources' or 'gas fees' for a recovery they haven't even proven yet, consider it a massive red flag. They're essentially asking you to pay for the privilege of being scammed again. Stick to official channels.

Raphael Garcia · Lille, Franceanswered 8d ago
12

Oh no, that sounds absolutely gutting. It's completely understandable why you'd be hopeful, especially when you've lost so much. But please, please be careful. That 'transaction re-routing fee' sounds very suspicious. Scammers often prey on people's desperation after they've been scammed once. They create this illusion of hope and then ask for more money. Don't send them anything.

Olivia Naidoo · East London, South Africaanswered 8d ago
11

Yeah, 'Crypto Trace Investigators'? Sounds made up. And 'advanced blockchain hacking'? Please. They're just using buzzwords. If they could actually do that, they wouldn't be emailing random victims, they'd be the richest entity on earth. This reeks of another scam. They want that 'fee' and then you'll never hear from them again. Don't fall for it, mate.

Emma Khumalo · Cape Town, South Africaanswered 8d ago
10

The methodology described – 'transaction re-routing' via 'advanced blockchain hacking' – is not a real technical capability in the public domain for recovering funds stolen via typical scams. Once funds leave a victim's wallet to a scammer's address, they are typically irretrievable through such means. Any entity claiming this ability and demanding an upfront fee is almost certainly fraudulent. This is a well-documented scam tactic used to exploit victims of prior fraud. Reporting these entities is crucial, though actual recovery is unlikely through these routes.

Jules Richard · Bordeaux, Franceanswered 8d ago
18

OMG, I got a similar email last year after losing a fortune. Mine was from 'Global Recovery Solutions' or something equally as catchy. They showed me a fake dashboard and everything. Asked for a 'processing fee'. I was so tempted because I was desperate, but my gut told me no. Thank goodness I listened to my gut. It was another scam. They just take your fee and vanish. Stay strong, you've already been through enough. You can report them to the FBI IC3 though, that felt good.

Sophia Fortin · Quebec City, Canadaanswered 8d ago
16

STOP. Do NOT pay that fee. Seriously. This is a textbook 'recovery scam'. They find people who have already lost money and promise to get it back, but they just want to scam you again. 'Blockchain hacking' and 'transaction re-routing' are made-up terms they use to sound legitimate. They will take your 2.5k and disappear. Please report this to Action Fraud or your local police, don't send them another cent.

Ava Gagne · Winnipeg, Canadaanswered 8d ago
11

Oh honey, that sounds like such a horrible situation to be in. It's completely understandable that you'd be looking for any way to get your money back, but please be very wary. That sounds like a scam trying to take advantage of your distress. They're likely just going to ask for more money after the first payment. Sending you a big hug.

Saoirse Sullivan · Cork, Irelandanswered 8d ago
14

This is a common scam targeting fraud victims. They operate as 'recovery scammers'. The initial contact and fake proof are designed to build trust and exploit your hope. The demand for an upfront fee for 'technical' reasons is the final step before they disappear. Do not send them any money. The best course of action is to report the attempted fraud to the FCA or your national financial regulator. They collect this data to track scam operations.

Edward Jones · Leeds, United Kingdomanswered 8d ago
10

It sounds exactly like a recovery scam. The narrative they use – identifying you as a victim, showing fake evidence of recovery, and then demanding an upfront fee for 'technical' costs – is a well-established pattern. No legitimate recovery firm operates this way. They exploit the psychological vulnerability of fraud victims. Report this attempt to the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) in Germany, or if you are elsewhere, your national financial conduct authority. They maintain records of such fraudulent operations.

Marie Schulz · Dusseldorf, Germanyanswered 8d ago
12

Mate, that sounds like an absolute setup. 'Crypto Trace Investigators'? 'Transaction re-routing fee'? That's pure garbage. They're not investigators, they're scammers fishing for your cash. If they had a way to get your crypto back, they wouldn't need your money upfront. They'd take a cut *after* the recovery. Don't send them anything. Report it to ASIC, they might be tracking these sorts of fake recovery outfits.

Sophie Wilson · Brisbane, Australiaanswered 8d ago
13

I am so sorry you're going through this. It's a cruel world out there. I was scammed on a crypto platform too, lost a lot. Then I got similar emails promising recovery. I almost paid them. But thankfully, I spoke to someone who told me it was a scam. They just take your money and run. Please don't pay them. It's another trick. You are strong for reaching out.

Wei Chan · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 8d ago
10

This sounds like a scam. I lost money in crypto too, and I got emails from companies claiming they could recover my funds for a fee. They would send fake screenshots and ask for money for 'processing' or 'legal' fees. I never paid, and I'm glad I didn't. They are just preying on people who have already lost money. Don't send them the 2.5k. Report them if you can, maybe to the BBB.

Ava Bergeron · Vancouver, Canadaanswered 8d ago
17

Right, I got exactly the same thing last month after I got done on that fake forex platform. They even named the platform I used! Said they were called 'Asset Recovery Pros' and showed me a fake blockchain explorer with my coins 'frozen' and ready to be 'unfrozen' for a fee. I almost sent them the money, I was that desperate. Thankfully, my wife told me to check online first. Found out they were total scammers. They even got reported to the FBI IC3.

Jack Walker · Leeds, United Kingdomanswered 8d ago
19

I fell for something like this. They promised to recover my stolen NFTs. I paid them an upfront 'verification fee'. Then they asked for a 'gas fee' to transfer. I paid that too. Then... nothing. They ghosted me. They had fake websites, fake testimonials, the works. It was heartbreaking. Don't do what I did. They are liars and thieves. Block them and report them everywhere you can.

Grace Koh · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 8d ago
13

This is a known recovery scam. They target people who have already been victimized. The technical jargon is designed to sound convincing, but it's nonsense. There is no 'transaction re-routing fee' for recoveries like this. If they could do it, they'd be acting for governments, not cold-emailing individuals. Please do not pay them. Consider reporting the attempt to Action Fraud. They track these scams, even if they can't recover your lost funds directly.

Sophie Kruger · Port Elizabeth, South Africaanswered 8d ago
11

Oh, you poor thing. That sounds like such a nightmare, especially after going through the initial scam. They're probably lying. They just want your money again. I got an email like that from a company called 'Refund Police' - they sounded so official! But they wanted an upfront fee to 'process' a refund that never existed. I didn't pay, thankfully. Please don't send them that money.

Grace Taylor · Newcastle, Australiaanswered 8d ago
14

Yeah, this is 100% a scam. I got hit by a fake investment site too, lost about £5k. Then these guys, 'Crypto Recovery Specialists', emailed me. Said they could get my money back for a 'network fee'. Looked convincing, even had a fake reference number. I was so close to sending it. But then I thought, why would they need money upfront? It doesn't make sense. Glad I didn't. It's a trap.

Maximilian Koch · Cologne, Germanyanswered 8d ago
10

This 'Crypto Trace Investigators' sounds like a complete fabrication. The terms 'transaction re-routing fee' and 'computational resources' are buzzwords designed to confuse and extract money. Real blockchain forensics doesn't work by charging victims fees for hypothetical recoveries. Legitimate law enforcement or regulatory bodies like the FCA (if you're in the UK) might investigate, but they never ask for upfront payments from victims for recovery efforts. Report this to them – it adds to their data on scam networks.

Mia Garcia · Nice, Franceanswered 8d ago
16

Oh gosh, I know that feeling. That horrible sinking feeling when you think you've found a way out, but it's just another trap. I lost a few thousand to a scam a while back and got similar emails from 'Claims Justice'. They even had a fancy website. They wanted a 'legal fee' to unlock my funds. I was so tempted, my husband even said it looked legit. But I researched them, and they were known scammers. Thank goodness I checked. Stay safe!

Megan Thomas · Phoenix, USAanswered 8d ago
15

This is a classic recovery scam, no doubt about it. They exploit the desperation of people who've lost money. The 'advanced blockchain hacking' and 'transaction re-routing' are complete fiction. They will take your fee and vanish. The red flag is the upfront payment for a service that hasn't been delivered. If you want to report it, use the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). They handle these types of cross-border scams.

Mees Bakker · Nijmegen, Netherlandsanswered 8d ago

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