Lost everything to a 'future' from a language exchange app, now all my crypto is gone via 'CoinEgg'. What now from Singapore?

asked 31d ago20 views10 answers
0

I really don't know where to start. I met someone on (what I thought was) a legitimate language exchange app a few months ago. We talked for weeks, it felt really real, like we had a genuine connection. They convinced me to invest in crypto through a platform they called 'CoinEgg'. Said it was a special, high-return opportunity, you know? I was so excited, put in a good chunk of my savings, then convinced my sister to put some in too because it looked SO good.

Now, the platform is gone. All my money, and my sister's too. It was over S$30,000 in total. I feel so stupid, so ashamed. I'm in Singapore, and I don't even know what legal paths are here for this kind of thing. Is there any way to get the money back? Who do I report this to? My family is devastated and I feel responsible for my sister's loss.

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CoinEgg· scam

10 Answers

39

Mate, I'm so sorry. I went through something similar, lost a chunk of my super fund here in Australia to one of these scams. It hits hard, that feeling of being completely conned. I reported it to the AFP and Action Fraud (my scammer claimed to be from the UK), and while they were empathetic, it was pretty clear early on that the money was long gone. The real benefit of reporting, apart from the slim chance of recovery, was getting my story out there. It sounds like you're in Singapore, so definitely follow Lucas's advice for local reporting. And remember, these scammers often target people's vulnerabilities – don't let it define you. It took me a long time to get over the shame, but talking about it (even here) really helps.

Thomas Walker · Brisbane, Australiaanswered 31d ago
45

Oh man, Joshua, I'm really sorry to hear this happened to you and your sister. It's an absolutely brutal type of scam, and you're not stupid – these people are pros at manipulation. From Singapore, you've got a few key places to report this. First thing, you *must* report it to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) immediately. You can do this online via their e-service portal or at any Neighbourhood Police Centre. They'll need all the details: screenshots of conversations, transaction records (even to the initial exchange), the CoinEgg website URL if you have it, and anything else you can gather. Emphasize it's a scam from a romance/pig butchering angle, as that helps police categorize it.

Also, consider reporting to the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) since it involves online fraud. For the financial aspect, if any of your funds went through local banks, inform *your* bank and your sister's bank about the fraudulent transactions. Sometimes they can try to claw back funds, but frankly, with crypto and these types of scams, it's often a long shot because the money moves so fast offshore. Keep meticulous records of everything you report and every interaction. Don't beat yourself up, focus on the practical steps now.

Lucas Bergeron · Vancouver, Canadaanswered 31d ago
28

Joshua, what you're gone through... it's exactly what happened to me. Not CoinEgg, but another fake platform, and it totally messed me up. The shame is the hardest part, honestly. Like Lucas said, you're not stupid. These people are monsters. I'm in Sharjah, and here, reporting to the police was my first step, same as in Singapore. Nothing came of it in terms of getting money back, but it helped me feel like I did *something*. The emotional recovery is a whole other beast. Please, don't keep this to yourself. Talk to your family, your sister. You both were victims. It's an awful thing, but you're not alone in it. Sending you strength.

Layla Iqbal · Sharjah, UAEanswered 31d ago
19

Look, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but getting significant money back from these crypto scams, especially something like CoinEgg which is a known scam platform, is almost impossible. The funds are typically laundered through multiple international crypto wallets and fiat exchanges so fast it's like chasing smoke. I've seen countless stories like yours, and the police, even the FBI IC3 here in North America, struggle immensely. Report it, yes, absolutely you should. But temper your expectations for recovery. The main goal of reporting is to help authorities track these networks and maybe prevent future victims. It sucks, but that's the harsh reality. Don't fall for anyone promising they can 'hack' or 'retrieve' your crypto either, those are often recovery scams.

Liam Smith · Vancouver, Canadaanswered 30d ago
33

Joshua, from Germany here, and I've seen too many of these. First, you need to forgive yourself. The emotional toll is huge, I know. It's not your fault. You trusted someone who appeared trustworthy. The fact you brought your sister into it just shows you thought it was a genuine opportunity, not that you were negligent. It’s a classic move by these scammers to build that deep, personal trust before the financial part. Definitely report to the Singapore police. Even if recovery is difficult, it's crucial for their intelligence and to see if there are any connections. Also, inform all your social circles about these types of scams. Education is the best prevention, really. Stay strong.

Stefan Hoffmann · Stuttgart, Germanyanswered 30d ago
22

This 'CoinEgg' thing? It's a huge red flag just from the name alone, very common for these scam platforms to use generic-sounding names to appear legit. The whole 'language exchange app to crypto investment' pipeline is textbook pig butchering. They establish an emotional connection, build trust, then lead you to a fake platform that shows incredible, fabricated returns to lure you into investing more and even getting others involved. That's why your sister's money is gone too. A huge warning sign is always when someone you *only* know online, especially from a social or dating app, brings up investing, especially in crypto or forex, and tells you to use a specific, unknown platform. Real investments don't work like that. Please, everyone, if someone does this, disengage immediately. Your money will literally vanish.

Emily Jackson · Boston, USAanswered 30d ago
25

Joshua, this is such a classic pig butchering setup. The language exchange app, the slow build-up of trust, then the 'secret' investment platform like CoinEgg – it's all part of the script. The biggest red flag is always when someone you've only met online starts pushing you towards an investment opportunity, especially one with guaranteed high returns or requiring a specific, obscure platform. Legit financial advisors don't operate this way. They're trying to butcher you financially, slice by slice. From the Netherlands, I see too many of these cases. Please, learn from this horrible experience and educate your friends and family. Never, ever take financial advice or investment links from someone you've only known digitally.

Emma Smit · Almere, Netherlandsanswered 30d ago
12

Ugh, my heart goes out to you. I'm down in Joburg and I lost a significant amount last year to a similar scheme, though mine was through WhatsApp after meeting someone on a dating app. The platforms they use, like your CoinEgg, seem so real at first! I was so sure I was making a wise investment. I reported it here to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit, but it's been months and... nothing. The hardest part is facing my family, especially when they asked about the money. Just know that these scammers are brilliant manipulators. They prey on our hopes and dreams. It's not a reflection of your intelligence, just unfortunately, you landed in their crosshairs.

Chloe Nel · Johannesburg, South Africaanswered 30d ago
35

Joshua, absolutely echoing the advice to report to the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Specifically, use their online 'E-Report' system for scams, or visit a police station. Provide every single detail: names, app used, dates, conversation logs, all transaction IDs for crypto deposits, wallet addresses you sent to, and any fiat bank transfers. The SPF maintains a dedicated Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) which consolidates information on these types of fraud. While direct recovery is challenging, consistent reporting helps the SPF link cases, understand the scam networks, and potentially take down infrastructure or freeze intermediary accounts if they act fast enough. Also, you might want to look into support groups, as the emotional recovery from these scams is often overlooked but crucial. It’s a very painful experience, but you're doing the right thing by speaking up.

Hannah Teo · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 30d ago
20

Just to add to the excellent advice already here. Beyond local police reporting in Singapore, it's also worth noting that if any of your transactions involved international elements or specific crypto exchanges, you *might* also consider reporting to international bodies if the local police advise it or if you find information on the scammers linking them to other jurisdictions. For instance, if you trace any of the crypto to exchanges that are regulated in, say, the US or Europe, then reporting to bodies like the FBI IC3 or even the FCA in the UK (if British entities were involved) could be supplementary. These are long shots, but sometimes multi-jurisdictional intel can build a bigger picture. The priority, though, is Singapore law enforcement. Stick with that first.

Louise Dubois · Montpellier, Franceanswered 30d ago

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