My 'broker' FXChoice is asking for an 'anti-money laundering' fee to release my crypto profits. Is this legit?

Sophia, I'm really sorry to be the one to tell you this, but this is a classic scam tactic. There is no legitimate 'Anti-Money Laundering fee' that a broker would ask you to pay out of pocket before releasing your funds. AML is an internal compliance process for financial institutions, not something that gets passed on as an upfront charge to clients wanting to withdraw their own profits.

FXChoice is a known unregulated entity, flagged by regulators like the FCA for operating without proper licenses. Their 'official-looking document' is definitely fake. The fact they're using WhatsApp for an 'account manager' is another massive red flag. Real, regulated brokers don't operate like that. You're deep into a recovery scam now, where they invent fee after fee hoping you'll pay more to get your money out, which will never happen. Stop all communication immediately and do not send them another dime.

To elaborate on what Mees said, proper AML checks are a requirement for all legitimate financial service providers under various international laws, including FATF guidelines. However, these are operational costs for the firm, not extra charges levied on clients at the point of withdrawal. A regulated broker might ask for additional ID verification documents as part of their Know Your Customer (KYC) and AML processes, especially for large withdrawals, but never an upfront *fee* to perform these checks.

FXChoice is on multiple 'unlicensed firm' warning lists globally. The 'account manager' via WhatsApp is a hallmark of these scam operations, often referred to as 'pig butchering' scams. The displayed $35k is almost certainly not real; it's just numbers on a screen designed to entice you to 'invest' more or pay these fake fees. Your money is gone, I'm afraid. Your best course of action is to report it to your local authorities and seek psychological support, as these events can be traumatizing.

Oh man, that sounds absolutely awful, Sophia. I can only imagine how you're feeling right now. It's totally understandable to be confused and scared. Mees is right, this 'AML fee' sounds incredibly dodgy. These scammers are pros at making things sound official to trick people. Please don't pay them anything else. It's a cruel game they play, trying to squeeze every last cent out of you. Focus on your well-being right now, this isn't your fault.

Hmm, 'AML fee' eh? Sounds like something they just made up on the spot. I mean, if it's an anti-money laundering thing, shouldn't *they* be paying for their own compliance, not you? And 10% of profit? That's quite convenient for them, isn't it? Seems a bit too specific, like they're trying to hit a nice round number. I'd be very skeptical. Very, very skeptical.

Oh god, this hits close to home. I lost about 4k a few years back to something similar, though they called it a 'tax clearance fee'. It was with some rando platform, not FXChoice specifically, but the tactics were identical. WhatsApp, fake profits, then all these suddenly necessary fees. I ended up paying two different fees, thinking 'just one more and I'll get my money out!' Nope. They just kept coming up with new excuses. Don't be like me. Don't pay. It's a black hole.

Wait, so they showed you $35k profit, but you only put in $12k? And now they want 10% of that *profit* ($3.5k) just to let you have your own money back? That's a huge red flag right there. If they can make you $23k profit, why can't they just deduct their 'AML fee' from that profit when they process the withdrawal? Why do *you* need to send *them* more money? Sounds super fishy, man. Like, they're trying to make sure they get more of your cash before you wise up.

Honestly, Soph, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck... it's a duck. Or in this case, a scam. 'Anti-Money Laundering fee'? Please. AML is something banks and legitimate financial institutions DO, not something they charge their clients *extra* for, especially not at the point of withdrawal. And 10%? That's just wild. They're trying to squeeze you for more. Don't fall for it.

Yeah, been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Not with FXChoice, but another unregulated broker. They called it a 'compliance fee.' Total rubbish. I initially transferred via bank, so I tried a chargeback, but it was too late. These guys are criminals. The 'AML fee' is just the latest in a long line of made-up reasons to extort more money from you. The advice from the others is spot on: cut all ties. Report them to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) and your local police. It likely won't get your money back, unfortunately, but it's important for statistics and potentially helping others avoid the same fate.

Sophia, I'm in Singapore and we have MAS here, which is super strict about financial regulations. Any legitimate platform would be authorized and follow incredibly transparent rules. This 'AML fee' from FXChoice is not a thing. Absolutely not. Real brokers, even if they have to do extra checks for large amounts, would never ask you for an upfront payment for their compliance work. Transparency is key here. If they're being shady about withdrawals, it's because they're a scam. Stop communicating with them. Your $12k is likely gone, and any further money you send will also be gone.

Sophia, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's truly heartbreaking to hear of these scams, and they prey on people's hopes. Everyone here is giving you solid advice – do *not* pay that fee. It's a tactic to get more money out of you. Take a deep breath. It's natural to feel embarrassed or angry, but this is a sophisticated scam, not your fault. Consider reaching out to a local support group or even a therapist; the emotional toll of these events can be huge. Wishing you strength in navigating this terrible situation.

This is a classic red flag, unfortunately. FXChoice is not a legitimate broker. The 'AML fee' is a common tactic used by scam operations to extract more money from victims *after* they've already invested. They create the illusion of profit to entice you, then invent fees to keep it all. That 'official-looking document' is likely fabricated. No regulated financial institution operates this way. You've probably lost your initial $12k speaking frankly.

Oh man, this sounds so familiar. I fell for something just like this last year. Mine was called OptionStarsGlobal. They promised the moon, then hit me with a fake tax bill and then a 'verification fee'. Lost about 8k euros. The worst part is seeing that money vanish and knowing you were greedy, even though you were also just trying to get ahead. I reported it to the local police, but they said it's too hard to track international fraud. Ngl, I'm still kicking myself.

Hang on, you're in Vancouver? Have you checked with the BC Securities Commission? They'd be the ones to regulate this sort of thing provincially. While it sounds very scammy, it's worth lodging a complaint with them even if they can't recover funds. Also, reach out to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. They collect this info and might see a pattern. Just be prepared that getting the money back is unlikely.

Yeah, that sounds dodgy as. My mate lost a few grand that way last year. They asked for an 'admin fee' to release winnings from a 'forex trading account'. Total rubbish. Once they start asking for money *to give you your own money*, it's game over, mate. Don't send them another penny. Consider it a very, very expensive lesson.

This AML fee is almost certainly a scam. Regulated brokers in Germany, overseen by BaFin, would never ask for such a fee to release legitimate profits. Funds are usually withdrawn directly, maybe with a small processing time, but not these surprise percentage fees. The documentation they sent is probably fake. I suggest you stop all communication and report them to the relevant authorities.

I know that feeling. The panic when they hit you with unexpected fees. They told me I owed a 'capital gains tax' on my simulated forex profits before I could withdraw. That was with a group called 'Global FX Trading' or something like that. Talked to an advisor who said it's a common scam. I never paid it and wrote off the money. I was so upset for weeks. Just keep it in mind for next time...

Oh no, I'm so sorry. This sounds exactly like what happened to my cousin last year. She invested in something similar online, got that 'account manager' vibe too, and then bam – huge 'withdrawal fee'. They invented all sorts of reasons, currency conversion charges, international transfer taxes... it was endless. She ended up reporting it to the RCMP, but they said without a known suspect/address it's tough. She lost about $5k.

This is unfortunately a widely known scam. The 'anti-money laundering fee' is a fabrication designed to make you pay *more* money into the scam. Real platforms don't operate like this. I've seen reports of this exact scenario with various fake brokers. They want to bleed you dry. Please, do not send them any more money. Consider reporting this to the Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) in the Netherlands, though recovery is unlikely.

Okay, speaking as someone who deals with financial regulations daily: this is 100% a scam. No legitimate broker, especially one claiming to deal in crypto, would demand an 'AML fee' to release profits. If you're in the UK, for example, the FCA has strict rules against such practices. This is a tactic to get you to send them more money, hoping you'll pay the fee and then they'll invent *another* fee. Stop all contact and do not pay.

I feel this deeply. I was almost duped by a very similar setup. They promised massive returns on crypto futures trading. After I'd sent them about 4,000AED, they suddenly said there was a 'compliance fee' required before withdrawal. I got my husband to look into it, and he found forums about this exact scam. We were lucky, we didn't send any more money. I was devastated though, thinking I'd lost it. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

STOP. Do not pay that fee. This is a very common advance-fee fraud. They entice you with fake profits, then invent a fee (AML, tax, administrative, etc.) to get more money. FXChoice itself is likely a shell company. If you're in the Netherlands, you can report it to the AFM, but realistically, the chances of recovering lost funds from these types of scams are extremely slim. Tell your bank about the transactions, maybe they can block future ones, but they won't get your money back.

This is sounding very familiar, tbh. I had a similar situation with a 'forex prop trading firm' last year in Singapore. They kept saying I needed to pay a 'security deposit' to unlock my funds, which had supposedly multiplied. It was always some new charge. Eventually, I realised it was never going to end. I refused to pay more and lost the initial $7k I put in. Reporting it to MAS didn't help recover money, but at least it's on their radar.

Yeah, that's a scam, pure and simple. They lure you in with the promise of big gains (which are fake) and then invent fees to steal your initial investment and more. Never, ever pay an 'AML fee' or similar charges to release profits. Real financial institutions don't operate like that. If you're in the UK, you can report them to the FCA, but sadly, getting your money back is highly unlikely. Consider it lost and learn from it.

Heartbreaking stuff. Exact same thing happened to my brother-in-law with a different company. They kept saying he owed 'international transfer fees'. He paid about €2000 extra on top of his initial €10k. Said it was regulated by some obscure agency in Cyprus. Turned out to be total bunk. He contacted the Central Bank of Ireland, but they basically said 'tough luck'. It's a brutal lesson.

This is exactly what happened to me. I invested $5k with a crypto platform that promised guaranteed returns. After I saw the 'profits' which were way too good to be true, they told me I needed to pay a 20% capital gains tax upfront to withdraw. I was so stressed. I nearly paid it. Luckily, my dad talked me out of it, saying it sounded like a scam. He told me to check the regulator in my country. I'm in Germany, so I looked up BaFin. They had warnings about fake brokers. I lost my $5k but didn't lose any more.

Oh, I know this one. They think they're so clever. They tried this on me too, last year. Asked for a 'software update fee' after I'd supposedly made a killing on some obscure altcoin. This was after I'd already sent them nearly $10k. My husband said, 'Just write it off, it's gone.' I was gutted. It felt like my fault for being greedy, you know? So sorry you're experiencing this.

That is absolutely a scam. FXChoice is a known scam outfit. They prey on people's dreams of easy money. That 'AML fee' is just another way to get more money from you. Ignore them. Do not send them anything else. You've likely lost your initial investment. For future reference, always check if a broker is regulated by a major authority like the FCA in the UK or ASIC in Australia before depositing any funds.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's a horrible feeling. This is a very common scam tactic. They create fake profits and then invent fees like 'AML' or 'tax' to keep your money. Please don't send them any more funds. If you're in Singapore, you can report it to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), although recovering funds is very difficult. It sounds like you've lost your investment.

You've definitely fallen for it, sorry to be blunt. This is textbook advance-fee fraud. They lure you in, show fake profits, then demand payment for bogus fees. That 'AML fee' is complete nonsense. No legitimate broker or bank operates this way. You should report them to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) and your local police, but realistically, getting that $12k back is highly improbable. Consider it a very, very expensive lesson learned.

Ugh, this is the worst. I was in a similar situation a while back, with a different platform. They kept asking for more and more money - 'processing fees', 'verification fees'. Totally made up. I finally realised I was being scammed and stopped paying. Lost about €3k. The police here in Cologne were sympathetic but couldn't do much. It's a tough lesson, but glad I didn't send them my savings.

Oh god, that sounds exactly like the situation I was in last year with OptionStarsGlobal. They told me the *exact* same thing about an AML fee. It was a percentage of the 'profits' they claimed I had. Ngl, I almost paid it because my 'account manager' was so convincing and had spreadsheets showing my supposed gains. But something felt off.

Red Flag Alert: If they are asking for fees *before* you can withdraw, especially for something like AML, it's almost certainly a scam. Legitimate financial institutions handle these things differently and don't ask for upfront payments from clients to 'release' funds that are already yours. They'll just deduct their fees or taxes from the withdrawal itself, if anything. This whole 'AML fee' thing is just a classic tactic to get more money from you. I lost about $7k to them before I realised.

Suck it up, mate. You’ve been scammed. They told me the same thing when I tried to cash out my crypto with them. Lost 7 grand over 3 months. My wife told me it was too good to be true but I didn't listen. Now I'm paying for it. They also promised me bonus funds if I deposited more. Like usual, 'too good to be true' is usually just that.

DO NOT PAY THAT FEE. This is a classic scam. They invented the 'AML Fee' from thin air. I've seen this happen to so many people. They will keep asking for more fees: 'tax fees,' 'administrative fees,' 'transfer fees.' It never ends. They are not a real brokerage. They are just taking your money. Report them to the Canadian regulators, maybe FINTRAC or your provincial securities commission. They might not get your money back, but they will investigate.

I am so sorry. This happened to me too. They had me on WhatsApp too and I invested $20,000. I thought I made $50,000. Then they asked for taxes, and then a 'compliance fee.' I paid them both. It was $7,000 total. I wish I had found this forum sooner. I feel like such an idiot.

This is a known scam pattern. These fake brokers prey on people who have made some gains and want to cash out. The 'AML fee' is a fabricated story. They create fake documents to look legitimate. I’ve consulted with a few recovery specialists and they all say the same thing: once you pay the 'fee' to release funds, they just invent another one. The best you can do is cut your losses, stop communicating with them, and report them to relevant authorities like the FCA, even if you're not in the UK. They keep a database of scam operations.

Yeah, mate, that’s a rug pull. Happens all the time in the crypto world. They lure you in with promises of big returns, get you hooked, and then hit you with these bogus fees when you try to pull out. My cousin fell for something similar a couple of years back – thought he'd made a fortune on some dodgy forex platform. They asked for a 'validation fee.' He paid it. Then they asked for a 'withdrawal tax.' He was screwed. Never got a penny back. Just block them and move on, sadly.

I know that feeling. My heart sank when they asked me for a verification fee. It was for a supposed 'international transfer permit.' I'd put in €5000 and they said I had €15,000. It was absolute rubbish. I almost paid it because I was so excited about the money. Thankfully, my brother talked me out of it. He said to check the regulatory body in their country. They weren't registered anywhere legit. It's a hard lesson, but you're not alone.

Hey, sorry to hear this. It's rough when you see that big number and then get hit with roadblocks. FXChoice sounds like a clone of many scam sites I've seen warnings about. Don't trust the official-looking documents — they can be easily faked. If they were a legitimate broker, they'd be regulated by serious bodies like ASIC here in Australia or the FCA in the UK. Your best bet now is to check if they have *any* registration details with Canadian regulators, like the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA). Even if FXChoice *claims* to be regulated, double-check that directly on the regulator's website. Often these scammers just put fake logos on their sites.

This is textbook. An 'AML fee' is a common scam tactic. Real financial institutions have robust compliance departments that handle these matters internally. They don't ask individual clients for a 'fee' to 'release' profits, especially not based on a percentage of those profits. If FXChoice is asking this, it strongly indicates they are not a licensed or regulated entity. Many scam Forex and crypto platforms use this same playbook. Look up BaFin in Germany or AMF in France – they have public warnings about these types of fraudulent operations. You can often find lists of unregulated entities they advise caution against.

I think I was contacted by them too! Or someone very similar. They promised me huge returns on Bitcoin. I was tempted, I really was, but my partner took a look and said it felt shady. They never asked for an AML fee though, that’s new. They just kept pushing for more deposits. I lost €1000 to them. I can’t imagine losing $12,000. I’m so sorry for you. I reported them to the MAS, their financial authority, but I doubt I’ll ever see that money again.

Oh no, this is terrible. It sounds exactly like what happened to my brother-in-law. He invested a substantial amount, and when he tried to withdraw, they came up with a 'tax clearance fee.' He paid it, and then they needed an 'international transfer fee.' It was a constant stream of demands. He ended up losing nearly $15,000 to that scam. He was devastated. He eventually reported it to ASIC, but recovery is rare. Be careful about sending any more money.

This sounds like a classic unregistered broker scam. The 'AML fee' is a fabrication designed to extract more funds from victims right at the point of withdrawal. If FXChoice were a legitimate, regulated entity (check the CFTC website for registered brokers in the US, or relevant bodies in Canada like the CSA), they would not be asking for such fees upfront. Their supposed 'official documents' are likely forged. Seriously, do not send them another cent. They are just trying to milk you dry. Keep all communication records, as they might be useful for reporting purposes, but don't expect to get your money back this way.

Aw man, that's brutal. I fell for a similar scam a while back with a different platform. They kept my $5k. They also asked for an 'international transaction fee' and then a 'server maintenance fee' before they'd release my fake profits. Total rubbish. My advice? Cut contact. Don't reply to any more of their messages. They'll just keep inventing more fees. Sometimes you have to just accept it's gone and learn from it. It hurts like hell, I know.

I'm really sorry this happened. They might be posing as FXChoice, but the real FXChoice (fxchoice.com) is regulated by the FCA (for UK clients) and also holds licenses in other jurisdictions like Mauritius. If the platform you're using isn't clearly stating its *specific* regulatory body and license number, and especially if it's not registered with the CSA or IIROC in Canada, then it's a red flag. Never pay an upfront fee to release funds. Legitimate companies deduct fees from the amount being withdrawn, or have clear terms and conditions about it on their site *before* you start trading.

Same, man. I lost about R30,000 to a forex scam last year. They were based offshore, and when I wanted my withdrawal, they hit me with a 'political stability tax.' A tax! Can you believe it? I was so angry. My friend told me to report it to the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) here in South Africa, but chances are slim to none of getting anything back. Just consider it a very expensive lesson in due diligence.

Oh no. This is exactly how they got me. I lost R25,000 on what I thought was a crypto investment. They kept saying I had to pay a 'security deposit' to unlock my profits. I paid it. Then they wanted an 'admin fee.' I never saw a cent of my money again. I asked my bank, Standard Bank, if they could help, but they said since it was crypto and an offshore platform, there was nothing they could do. It's a terrible feeling.

That 'AML fee' is a total fabrication. It's a way for them to steal more from you. They prey on the excitement of making profits. Many unregulated platforms do this. If they were legitimate, they'd be registered with authorities like the FCA or the ASIC. Don't send them any more money. Seriously. Report them to the Canadian regulator, like the provincial securities commission where you live. Even if they can't recover your funds, they might shut down the operation or warn others.

Felt the same exact pit in my stomach. They told me I had to pay a 'capital gains tax' of 15% on my supposed profits before I could withdraw. Sounded legit even though I'd never heard of it being required upfront. I nearly sent them the money, but my husband yelled at me, saying it was fake. Thank goodness he did. We lost about AUD $4,000 on the platform before we realised it was a scam. Just block them. That's all you can do.

Hmm. AML fees are a real thing in traditional finance, but the way they're demanding it from you sounds suspicious. Usually, a legitimate broker would handle AML compliance internally and not ask for an upfront fee from *you* to 'release' your own money. They might deduct standard transaction fees, sure, but an 'AML fee' based on profit is a massive red flag. I'd be very skeptical. Have you checked if FXChoice is registered with the MAS in Singapore, or another major financial regulator? If not, it's likely a scam.