Deposited with a broker called 'ForexCapitalHub' and now they demand more funds to withdraw, help?
Hey everyone, feeling really stupid right now. I got lured into this online trading thing by an ad, ended up on ForexCapitalHub.com. At first, it looked legit, like a sleek platform, and I put in about €2,500 using my credit card. The 'account manager' was super friendly, always pushing me to invest more, showing me these amazing 'profits' on their dashboard. I saw my balance grow to over €7,000 in just a few weeks, which felt awesome.
But when I tried to withdraw just €1,000, they hit me with an email saying I needed to deposit another €1,500 for 'tax purposes' before any withdrawal could be processed. They keep saying it's standard procedure but it just doesn't feel right. My partner thinks it's a total scam and now I'm panicking. Has anyone dealt with ForexCapitalHub or something similar? What are my options? I don't want to lose that initial €2,500, let alone more.
10 Answers
Ugh, this sounds like a classic recovery scam setup, actually. Or rather, the second stage of a primary investment scam. The 'tax purposes' demand is a huge red flag – legitimate brokers don't ask you to pay taxes directly to them *before* you withdraw. Taxes are usually your responsibility with your local tax authority *after* you receive your funds.
First thing: absolutely DO NOT deposit any more money. This is a common tactic to squeeze more out of you. Every penny you send will be gone. Their platform showing 'profits' is just an illusion; it's just numbers on a screen they control.
Your best bet for the €2,500 you initially put in is to contact your credit card provider ASAP. Explain clearly that this was an unauthorized transaction/fraudulent service. Be firm and prepare to provide all documentation you have – emails, screenshots, anything. There's a decent chance for a chargeback if it's within the timeframe, which is usually 120-540 days depending on the card network and your bank. Act fast.
Emma, don't feel stupid. These scammers are incredibly sophisticated and prey on people's hopes. The 'tax' demand is a classic secondary scam. They get you invested, show you fabricated profits, and then invent a reason why you need to deposit *more* to access those 'profits'. It's a never-ending cycle designed to extract as much as possible.
Here's a key strategy: Gather *every single piece of evidence*. This means:
- Screenshots of your account balance on their platform (even if it's fake, it's proof of what they presented).
- All communication: emails, chat logs (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.), text messages.
- Bank statements or credit card statements showing your deposits to them.
- Any contracts or terms of service they sent you.
Once you have this, contact your credit card provider. Be very clear this is fraud. Explain that the service you paid for (trading with withdrawal access) was not provided and that the company is demanding additional, fraudulent fees. The more organized you are with your evidence, the better your chances of a successful chargeback. Also, consider reporting them to enforcement agencies like Action Fraud in the UK or your local police.
Oh man, i feel your pain. I went through something scarily similar with a broker called FXChoice a couple years back, though my situation was more about them just ghosting after i tried to withdraw profits. The 'tax' thing is a dead giveaway it's a scam, like Charlie said. They're just trying to milk you for more.
I really regret giving them my initial deposit, and then stupidly, more after that. I tried to get my money back but my bank told me it was too late for a chargeback. Don't be me, Emma. Stop now. Report it to your bank, honestly, that's your only real shot for the money you've already sent. Forget those 'profits' on their screen, they're fake.
This whole scenario is exactly what we warn people about constantly. Unregulated brokers, especially ones that pop up suddenly and aren't listed with any major financial authority like the FCA, ASIC, or AMF France are incredibly risky. If ForexCapitalHub isn't regulated where you are, or anywhere for that matter, then you have very little recourse. The 'tax' ploy is a classic way to trick you into depositing more. They won't ever let you withdraw because there are no actual funds, only a fake dashboard.
Please, please, everyone reading this: ALWAYS check a broker's regulatory status *before* you deposit a single dollar. A quick search on the relevant national regulator's website can save you thousands. If they claim to be regulated, verify it directly on the regulator's site, don't trust links they provide.
Emma, I understand completely how you feel right now. I lost about $7,000 to a similar scam last year with a company that kept changing its name, but the tactics were identical. They show you these huge gains, make you feel like a genius, then BAM! 'Tax fees', 'AML fees', 'conversion fees' – all sorts of made-up charges just to pull more money out of you. I kept paying, thinking just one more payment to get my *real* money back, and it was a mistake every single time.
Cut off all contact with them immediately. Block their numbers, mark their emails as spam. They will try to pressure you, even threaten you. Don't engage. Focus on trying to get your initial credit card deposit back. Your bank will need detailed proof. Good luck, it's a tough situation.
As others have said, the 'tax' thing is 100% a scam tactic. Legitimate financial institutions don't operate like that. This ForexCapitalHub is likely an unregistered, unregulated entity. In the UAE, for instance, any broker needs to be registered with the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). If they're not, it's a huge red flag and generally means they're operating illegally.
Don't fall for the trick of depositing more. You're just throwing good money after bad. Your absolute best bet is the chargeback through your credit card company. Collect all your evidence now – screenshots of your account, emails, chat logs, everything. This is crucial for your bank to process the claim.
Yeah, this ForexCapitalHub sounds like another one of those unregulated entities running a classic 'pump and dump' model, only in reverse. They 'pump' up your fake balance, then demand 'fees' to let you 'dump' it. It's all just numbers on a screen.
From a regulatory standpoint, if they're not regulated by the FCA here, or any equivalent in other major jurisdictions, then they're just operating outside the law. There's no legitimate channel to complain to them effectively within the financial system.
Your focus needs to be on your bank and the chargeback process. It's often called a 'dispute' with your bank. Explain that you were a victim of fraud. The more details and proof you can give them, the better. And seriously, cease all communication with ForexCapitalHub. They'll only try to convince you to send more money.
Ugh, Emma, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's honestly infuriating how many of these fake forex brokers are out there. I had a nightmare with an outfit called OptionStarsGlobal a few years ago. Similar story: big 'profits' shown, then all these impossible conditions to withdraw. 'Oh, you need to trade another X volume,' or 'there's an unlocking fee for your bonus.' Total BS.
I managed to get about half my initial deposit back through a chargeback with my bank, but it was a fight. The key was being relentless and having all my transaction records and screenshots perfectly organized. My bank initially tried to say it was just a failed investment, but I pushed back hard, emphasizing it was fraud, not business. Don't give up, but prepare for a battle with your credit card company.
This seems like a straightforward 'advanced fee fraud' scenario wrapped up in a forex scam. They lure you with fake profits, then demand a 'fee' (in this case, 'tax') to release funds that don't actually exist. It's a common trick.
I had a situation with IronFX Offshore where they just froze my account and ghosted me when I tried to withdraw, but at least they didn't try to get more money out of me first after the initial deposit. Honestly, you're not getting any money from ForexCapitalHub. Your only hope is with your card provider for a chargeback. Do it NOW while the transaction is still fresh.
I really hope you haven't sent them any more money, Emma. The 'tax' thing is a well-known scam tactic. My cousin in Tilburg lost almost 10k euros to a similar scheme last year, paying one 'fee' after another, thinking the next payment would finally release his money. It never did. He eventually contacted the AFM here in the Netherlands, but because the broker wasn't regulated by them (surprise, surprise), they couldn't help him directly with recovery, only issue warnings.
Definitely try the chargeback route. That's your strongest option for the money you've already sent. Beyond that, just gather your evidence and report it to any relevant consumer protection or fraud agencies in France. They might not get your money back, but it helps them track these criminal groups.

