Lost a huge amount to a 'trader' from a hiking app, now my crypto's gone. Any hope from Quebec?

Charlotte, I'm truly sorry to hear about your experience. This type of scam, often called 'pig butchering,' preys on emotional connections before financial exploitation. It's crucial to understand that the funds are almost certainly gone from your reach. However, reporting is still very important, even if recovery is unlikely.

First, gather *all* communications, screenshots of the platform (if you have them), transaction IDs, and wallet addresses if you ever saw them. Even if the site is down, any trace you have is vital. Report this to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). They collect data that helps law enforcement identify trends and potentially target these networks. Also, if any of your transfers went through traditional banking channels before crypto, inform Desjardins again with all the details, specifically mentioning it's fraud. They might not be able to recall crypto, but if there was an initial fiat transfer, sometimes there are options.

Since it involved crypto, trace the funds. You can use blockchain explorers (like Etherscan for Ethereum, or Tronscan for TRON, depending on the coin) to see where your money went. This evidence is key for investigators. You can also report this to the FBI's IC3 if any part of the scam originates or has connections to the US, which many do. Don't feel ashamed; these scammers are highly sophisticated and target everyone.

This whole thing is just awful, I'm so sorry. Please be careful now because sometimes when you've been scammed once, your details might be on a 'sucker list' that other scammers buy and sell. You might get calls or emails from people claiming they can help you recover your money – these are often 'recovery scammers' who will just take more of your money.

Anyone who asks for an upfront fee to get your money back is a scammer. No legitimate firm will do that. If you're approached by anyone like that, just block them. It's really important to know this warning now because you're vulnerable.

Oh honey, don't you dare feel stupid. These people are actual criminals, they're professionals at manipulation. It's not your fault. Happens to so many good people. My neighbour in Cork went through something similar, lost a good chunk of her retirement savings after meeting someone on a Facebook group.

What Khalid said about reporting is spot on. Even if it feels hopeless, it builds up a picture for the authorities. And it *is* important to tell your bank all the details, even if they initially shrug about crypto. Sometimes they have fraud departments that can dig a bit deeper. Also, please, please tell someone you trust in real life. A friend, family. Keeping it to yourself only makes it heavier. Sending you so much strength from Ireland.

Honestly, the chances of getting that money back are almost zero. These guys are usually based in places like Southeast Asia, running these ops from boiler rooms. By the time you realize, the money has been laundered through multiple crypto wallets, swapped, and then cashed out. The 'uncle' and 'GlobalTradePro' are all part of the script. It's a classic setup. Reporting is fine for statistics, but don't hold your breath for actual recovery. I've seen too many of these cases here in Ajman. It's a sad reality.

Charlotte, you're not stupid, you're a victim of highly organized crime. The emotional manipulation is part of the attack. What you experienced is textbook 'pig butchering'. They build trust, show fake returns, then disappear.

One thing I always tell people in the UK is to look for the red flags earlier. If someone you meet online *ever* brings up investing, especially crypto, and tries to rush you or pressure you, that's your cue to block and run. No legitimate investor, especially a stranger, is going to share 'secret' high-yield opportunities with you. And legitimate platforms don't just vanish overnight. Stay vigilant, folks. It's a wild world out there.

Ugh, this is so heartbreaking. That feeling of shame is exactly what they want you to feel so you don't report it. But you HAVE to report it. Even if the money's gone, these reports help authorities connect the dots. In Ireland, we'd go to the Gardaí (our police) and also report to Action Fraud if it had any UK links, or just to our national fraud line. For crypto, it's a bit tougher, but still worth documenting everything. And yeah, what Amelia said, watch out for the 'recovery' scammers. They're sharks.

Charlotte, ich fühle so mit dir. I went through a similar nightmare last year, also met someone on an app, seemed so genuine. I lost a good amount too, not quite as much as you, but enough to hurt. For a while I thought I was the only one, felt so alone and embarrassed. My partner found Nethertrace online, and they helped me navigate the reporting process. They couldn't get my money back, of course, but they did help me compile all the blockchain stuff and explain it to the police here in Berlin. It made me feel less helpless. You're not alone, and it's okay to feel what you're feeling right now.

It's truly soul-crushing, isn't it? The betrayal cuts deeper than the financial loss sometimes. I lost almost 10k EUR to a similar scheme, met someone on a dating app. 'Her' name was 'Mei' and she was supposedly an architect. We talked for like two months before crypto even came up. I still think about it. It messes with your head.

I reported it to the local police in Dresden and to BaFin since it was an investment platform. They took all my details, but it felt like they were just ticking boxes, you know? They did mention that if the scammer's accounts were somehow linked to a regulated entity, BaFin could investigate that part. But usually, these fake platforms aren't. Just trying to be realistic here. The emotional recovery is the hardest part.

To be brutally honest, your money is gone. The 'GlobalTradePro' is probably just a front, a fake website made to look like a trading platform. They're gone with your money and likely already moved it around 100 times. From what I've seen in Singapore, police here also take reports but the success rate for recovering crypto from these international scams is extremely low. It's a global problem with very little cross-border enforcement capability for individual cases. The best thing you can do is secure your other accounts and educate yourself against future attempts. It sucks, but that's the reality for most victims.

Man, I hear you. The gut punch is real. I got hit for about $8k last year, met 'her' on Instagram. Same story, crypto, big returns, then poof. I reported it to the FBI IC3 and local law enforcement here in San Antonio. They were sympathetic, took down all the info, but basically told me the chances of recovery were slim to none. It still hurts, not just the money but the feeling of being played. It took me months to trust anyone online again. Just try to focus on moving forward now, that's what I'm trying to do.