Lost my inheritance to a 'friend' from a LinkedIn group and a fake crypto site — what now?

Hey, really sorry to hear you're going through this. Please don't feel stupid; these scammers are professionals. They target emotional vulnerabilities and exploit trust. First, document absolutely everything. Save all chat logs, screenshots of the fake platform, transaction records, emails – everything. Every single detail is crucial. In the UK, your primary port of call is Action Fraud. They're the national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime. It can feel like yelling into the void sometimes, but it's essential for official records and linking your case to others. Also, if you sent any funds via your bank, contact them *immediately*. They might not be able to recover it, but they need to be aware for their own fraud prevention and may have processes for reporting to regulators. Cut all contact with the scammer. They'll try to keep dangling hope or demand more money.

Don't beat yourself up, Edward. These criminals are extremely sophisticated and target people from all walks of life. I was caught in a similar net, though mine was through a dating app, not LinkedIn. The outcome was the same: fake platform, fake returns, then demands for 'tax' when I tried to withdraw. Total nightmare. I also contacted my bank here in Dubai and then reported to the local cybercrime unit. They gave me a case number which was something. The shame is a huge part of the scam's impact, actually. They make you feel isolated so you don't talk about it. But talking about it is literally the first step to healing. You're doing it right now.

Oh man, that's rough. So sorry this happened to you. It's not your fault, these linkedin scams are getting so much more sophisticated, they prey on trust built in professional settings. You did the right thing by reaching out here. Besides Action Fraud as Lucas suggested, and telling your bank, make sure you change any passwords on accounts that might be linked to what the scammer knew about you. Especially your LinkedIn password, tbh. Sometimes they try to use that info for other attacks. And please, block and report them on LinkedIn too. This helps LinkedIn's security teams track these bad actors. Stay strong, you're not alone in this.

Mate, I've seen this play out too many times, a new version of the pig-butchering scam using a LinkedIn hook. They build trust, slowly, carefully, then *bam* they introduce 'the opportunity'. The 'fees' and 'taxes' are classic, it's just them trying to squeeze every last drop out of you. That money you put in? Yeah, it's almost certainly gone. The crypto platform wasn't real, it was just a fake interface they controlled. Next, they'll try to get you to pay some 'recovery' specialist, which is just another layer of the scam. Do NOT fall for that. Report to Action Fraud, tell your bank, but truly, mentally prepare yourself that recovery is extremely, extremely rare. They've moved the crypto already, probably through multiple mixers or exchanges.

I really feel for you. I lost a significant amount last year to a very similar scam, also started on a professional networking site. It's the betrayal that cuts deep, isn't it? Not just the money, but the feeling of being completely fooled. I reported it to the local police here, and they eventually pointed me to a national agency. It felt like talking to a brick wall. But I did it anyway, just to get it out there. The shame is real, I didn't tell my family for ages. Please be kind to yourself. You're a victim, not stupid.

Hallo Edward, I'm so sorry you're in this situation. It's truly heartbreaking to lose an inheritance like that. The whole story about finding connections on LinkedIn, building trust, and then the 'amazing investment' is a tried and true playbook for these scammers. Do not interact with *anyone* who contacts you claiming they can 'recover' your funds for a fee. That's a common follow-up scam targeting victims. Your best bet is to follow the reporting channels, and while it's tough, understand that the money is likely gone. Focus on your emotional recovery now, that's just as important.

Oh god, this is exactly what happened to my uncle this past year. Not LinkedIn, but a similar 'professional referral' type thing. He lost almost his entire superannuation. The part about building a 'friendship' is key here, they're so good at it. They play the long game. We reported to his bank straight away, and they froze some transactions, but a lot had already been converted off-platform. It's a huge emotional toll. Please seek out some support groups, you're definitely not alone. The emotional recovery is a long road. And my uncle used Nethertrace for a bit of blockchain tracing, just to understand where the funds went, though it didn't directly recover anything for him.

Ugh, another LinkedIn one. They're really getting creative with the initial approach, aren't they? It's not just random DMs anymore. This is terrible, I'm so sorry. FWIW, this 'friendship' building and then the 'investment opportunity' is textbook pig-butchering. The platform being fake and the 'withdrawal fees' are the final acts. I mean, report to Action Fraud, sure, but manage your expectations. Unless the money somehow got stuck at an exchange that cooperates, it's very difficult to get back. Make sure your actual LinkedIn profile is locked down – review your privacy settings, check for any strange connections. Sometimes they try to use victims' accounts for further scams.

Hey, it's really heartbreaking to read your story. Please, please don't internalize the shame. These people are predators. I went through a crypto scam myself, though not romance-related, and the feeling of utter foolishness is overwhelming. But it's not a reflection of your intelligence, it's a testament to their manipulation skills. Action Fraud is your main route in the UK. Make sure you give them every single detail you have, even if it feels small. What time of day you spoke, exact phrases they used, anything. Also, think about any other online accounts you have where you might have discussed finances or crypto. Secure those too. Sending you strength.

I second everyone saying don't blame yourself. These scams are designed to bypass critical thinking and target your trust and aspirations. The LinkedIn angle is particularly nasty because it leverages professional credibility. My friend got hit by something similar, though it was a few years ago and a much smaller amount. She felt so alone. For your reporting, list every single communication channel, every username, every fake website domain precisely. Even if Action Fraud feels like a black hole, it's crucial for their intelligence gathering. And just to reiterate, anyone who messages you now claiming they can get your money back is a scammer. Period. There are no legitimate 'fund recovery' services that require upfront payment. Be vigilant for those next-stage attacks.

That sounds like a classic pump-and-dump overlaying a crypto recovery scam. The LinkedIn connection is a key vector here. They build trust over time, making you feel comfortable with the next step. The platform itself was likely a fake front. Reporting it can be difficult, but Action Fraud is your starting point in the UK.

Oh mate, I'm so sorry this happened to you. That is absolutely heartbreaking, especially with inheritance money. Please don't feel stupid, these scammers are incredibly manipulative. They prey on people's hopes and trust. It's a horrible thing to go through.

LinkedIn? Really? That's a bit much. Usually these crypto scams are on Telegram or WhatsApp. Did you even verify the crypto company's registration somewhere? People fall for anything these days, not sure what to tell you.

Reading this made me pretty emotional. I was scammed too, though not crypto, more of an investment 'opportunity' pitched via an old colleague. They took my savings. It took me months to even report it because I was so embarrassed. Took reporting it to Action Fraud (and a few other places) and honestly, just talking about it helped. You're not alone, and it's not your fault.

Why would anyone trust crypto advice from a LinkedIn 'friend'? Come on. The fees and taxes are the oldest trick in the book. You need to be way more careful with your money. Did you check if the platform was even registered with any financial authority?

This is exactly how BitForex impersonators operate. They create fake platforms designed to look legitimate, often with fabricated trading histories. Once you deposit, they lock your funds and demand additional payments. The key is recognizing that *any* unsolicited investment advice, especially from someone you only know online, is a massive red flag. Report it to Action Fraud immediately.

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss. It's always tough when money matters are involved, especially something as significant as an inheritance. The steps you've taken to report it are good. Focusing on recovery and prevention is the best way forward from here.

I'm in a similar situation, only it was an 'art investment scam'. They also said I had to pay taxes before withdrawal. The 'friend' turned out to be some overseas scammer, I'm sure of it. I filed a report with Action Fraud, but honestly, I don't hold out much hope. The money's gone.

Inheritance, LinkedIn, crypto site with fees? This screams scam all over. Did you research the 'crypto platform' independently? Like, check its registration status with the FCA or even look for reviews on unbiased crypto news sites? If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is with this sort of thing.

Oh honey, reading this just took me back. That sick feeling in your stomach, the denial, the shame. I lost about £20k to a forex scam that started on Facebook. The 'account manager' kept asking for more money for 'margin'. I finally reported it, but yeah, it felt like shouting into the void. I found talking to a support group for fraud victims helped more than anything. You're not alone.

It's always on LinkedIn or Facebook these days, isn't it? These 'friends' are part of a network. They groom you over time. Did this person give you any links to independent reviews or talk about regulatory bodies? No? Exactly. The fake platform is likely designed to just show fake profits until you try to cash out. After that, they're gone.

I'm sorry this happened. Dealing with scams like this is incredibly stressful. Reporting to Action Fraud is the correct first step for you in the UK. If the scam involves international element, law enforcement agencies in other countries might be involved, but it’s a long shot. You could look into services that specialize in crypto recovery, like Nethertrace, though their success rates vary.

This sounds like a social engineering attack targeting individuals with recently acquired capital. The LinkedIn approach is designed to bypass professional skepticism. The fake crypto site is just the vehicle. The key red flags to watch for moving forward: pressure to invest quickly, promises of guaranteed high returns, and requests for upfront payments for fees or taxes. Report this to Action Fraud.

That's rough, pal. I got fleeced by an online 'dating' scammer who ended up convincing me to invest in a dodgy Bitcoin scheme. Lost about 8 grand. I only reported it because my sister insisted. The police basically said 'tough luck' 'learn your lesson'. So yeah, I don't expect much, but speaking out is good, I guess. Maybe check out Nethertrace, heard some folk had luck with them.

The scenario you describe perfectly matches the Modus Operandi of investment fraud groups often associated with fake crypto exchanges. The build-up phase via social media like LinkedIn is common. The platform itself is typically a sophisticated front. Filing a report with Action Fraud is crucial. For tracking, services like TRM Labs or Chainalysis can sometimes assist law enforcement, but direct individual recovery is difficult.