My 'new friend' convinced me to move my crypto to ZG.com, now it's all gone. Any hope?
Hi everyone, I'm feeling sick to my stomach right now. I met someone online a few months ago, they seemed really nice, we talked a lot, kinda felt like we were becoming close. They told me about this 'amazing' crypto platform, ZG.com, where they were making really good returns. After a lot of convincing, I moved pretty much all my ETH and BTC from my Coinbase account over to ZG.com, about four months ago. I put in close to 15k EUR.
Everything looked great on the platform, numbers kept going up. But now, all of a sudden, I can't log in. The website is down, and my 'friend' has vanished. I tried to withdraw a small amount last week and it just never processed. Now I'm totally locked out. I reported it to the Gardaí here in Galway, but they didn't seem to know what to do. Is there *any* way to get my crypto back? Has anyone ever recovered funds from something like ZG.com?
38 Answers
Sophie, I'm so sorry you're going through this. This sounds exactly like a 'pig butchering' scam, also sometimes called a 'romance scam' where they build trust over weeks or months before pushing you to invest. ZG.com is a known scam platform used in these types of schemes.
Real talk: recovering funds from these fake exchanges like ZG.com is incredibly, incredibly difficult. Because you sent your ETH and BTC *to* their platform, they effectively control those private keys now. The funds aren't just sitting in an accessible wallet that law enforcement can freeze easily, they've been mixed, moved, and laundered through various addresses.
The Gardaí are right to an extent; traditional law enforcement often struggles with the cross-border, crypto nature of these crimes. You should still report it to FBI IC3 if you're in the US or have any US connections, or your local cybercrime unit. Gather ALL evidence: chat logs, transaction IDs from Coinbase to ZG.com, screenshots of the platform, everything. This helps intelligence agencies track the money flow, even if immediate recovery is unlikely. Watch out for 'recovery services' asking for upfront fees – they're almost always scams too. TRM Labs and ChainAbuse are actual companies that trace crypto, but they work with law enforcement, not individuals directly.
Oh god Sophie, my heart just sank reading your post. I'm from Galway too and almost fell for something similar last year, though not with ZG.com. Mine was someone I met on Instagram. They pushed me towards some random crypto site that looked legit, but something felt off when they got too insistent. I didn't invest, thankfully, but it really makes you question people online, doesn't it?
I just wanted to say you're not alone and it's not your fault. These scammers are really sophisticated and manipulative. The Gardaí here are honestly still catching up with these types of scams. All the best, I really hope something can be done for you.
Ugh, another ZG.com victim. This is heartbreaking but unfortunately, super common. These sites pop up, scam people, then disappear, only to resurface under a new name. It's a continuous cycle. The 'friend' is part of a large criminal syndicate, probably operating out of a call center in Southeast Asia. They don't care about you, just your money. Your money is gone, I'm sorry to say. Any website claiming to help you recover it is going to be another scam. Please, please be careful about who you trust online, especially when money is involved.
I'm so incredibly sorry this happened to you, Sophie. Please don't beat yourself up over this. These criminals are professional manipulators. It's not your fault you were targeted. What they did was cruel and calculating. Focus on your well-being now. The financial hit is awful, but your mental health is important too. Take some time to process this. Maybe talk to a therapist or a support group for scam victims. You're strong for sharing your story.
This is a classic 'butchering' scheme, Sophie. The initial 'friendship' is merely a psychological weapon. ZG.com is indeed a known fraudulent entity. When funds are transferred to such platforms, they are almost immediately fragmented and moved through multiple layers of addresses, often crossing various blockchains, making direct recovery by an individual virtually impossible. The funds are typically converted to stablecoins then fiat, then exited through less regulated channels or complicit money mules.
Your best course of action is to meticulously document everything: every message, every transaction ID, every screenshot. Report this to your national police and any relevant financial intelligence units. While direct recovery is slim, this data is crucial for law enforcement to build cases and potentially disrupt these networks. Never pay anyone upfront promising recovery; legitimate forensic blockchain firms like TRM Labs or ChainAbuse only work with law enforcement or large institutional clients, and typically on a success-fee basis or with government contracts, not directly with individual victims for an upfront fee.
Ugh, another one. Honestly, the chances of getting your money back from ZG.com are basically zero. Once it's off a regulated exchange like Coinbase and onto a known scam site, consider it gone. These 'platforms' are just fronts. The numbers you saw going up? Totally fake, just a user interface designed to make you think you're making money. It's all about psychological manipulation. Your 'friend' was a scammer from day one. I know it hurts, but you have to move on and learn from it. Sorry, but sometimes the truth is harsh.
Oh man, Sophie, I completely understand that gut-wrenching feeling. I got hit by a similar scam, not ZG.com, but a different fake exchange site my 'mentor' found for me. Lost about 7k USD. Every penny. I did all the reporting, even went to the RCMP here in Ottawa, but it was just a dead end. They basically said once it's gone into those overseas accounts, it's virtually impossible to claw back. I still get sick thinking about it. Just wanted to share so you know you're not alone. The emotional toll is huge. Take care of yourself.
Hey Sophie, so sorry you're in this mess. It's awful. My friend actually got caught in a similar ZG.com scam last year. She lost a significant amount too. What she did was immediately contact her bank and also file a report with the local police, and then with the police in the country where the scammer *claimed* to be from, just in case. She also sent all transaction details to Coinbase support, explaining it was a scam, asking if they could trace or freeze anything (they couldn't, but it helps for their records). She also reported it to ChainAbuse, hoping it would help track the wallets, even if it didn't directly recover her funds. It's a long shot, but exhaust all official channels. And please, absolutely do not fall for recovery scams now.
Just sending you a huge hug, Sophie. It sounds like you've been through a truly horrible experience. It takes a lot of courage to share what happened, and please know that so many people have fallen victim to these sophisticated scams. Don't let anyone make you feel stupid or ashamed. These criminals prey on trust and human connection. Focus on healing and protecting yourself from further harm. If you need someone to talk to about it without judgment, there are online communities and support groups for scam victims that can be really helpful.
Damn, Sophie, that's just terrible. I got hit with a fake crypto 'investment group' on Telegram last year. Luckily, I only lost about 2k, but it stung bad enough. The same story: met someone, they seemed legit, showed me 'their' profits, pressured me into joining this 'exclusive' group. I put money into some obscure token, watched the numbers go up, and then boom – site gone, contact blocked.
I reported it to the BKA here in Germany, but they just said it's very hard with crypto because the money moves so fast and internationally. The best thing is to treat it as a lesson learned, unfortunately. Don't dwell on it too much, it'll just make you sick. Just be super wary of anyone pushing 'investments' online from now on.
Oh man, that sounds like an absolute nightmare. ZG.com is a known scam operation, and unfortunately, once the funds are moved off-platform like that, recovery is incredibly difficult. The person you met online was absolutely part of the scam – that's how they build trust, by grooming you. The Gardaí are likely out of their depth with crypto scams, sadly. Your best bet is reporting to the FBI's IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center) and any relevant EU cybercrime units, even though you're in Ireland. They might not get your money back, but they *can* track patterns and potentially shut down operations like this. Don't feel ashamed, they're very sophisticated. Keep detailed records of every interaction.
Same thing happened to me, but with a platform called CoinEgg. Met a woman on a dating app, 'shared' investment tips. She said I was missing out. Moved about $10k USD worth of stuff over. Said the same thing - 'amazing returns', then poof. Website gone, she blocked me. Report to IC3, that's what I did. Got an automated response, but hey, it's something. Honestly, man, I doubt we'll see that crypto again. Just gotta learn from it. Heartbreaking, I know.
This is a classic romance scam combined with a fake crypto exchange. ZG.com is not a legitimate platform, it's designed to look real until they have your money. The person you spoke with is a scammer, not a friend. They create fake dashboards to show 'profits' to keep you from withdrawing until it's too late. Never, ever trust investment advice from someone you only know online, especially if they push you to a specific platform you've never heard of. Keep all your communication logs. Even if recovery is unlikely, reporting is vital.
Ugh, I’m so sorry this happened. It’s like deja vu. I was scammed too, about two years ago. Different platform name, but the story was identical. Met someone online, they charmed me, talked about crypto gains. I moved about 5k CAD from Kraken. Next thing I know, site's dead, 'friend' ghosted. Filed reports with Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and even tried TRM Labs, hoping they’d track the wallet. No luck, unfortunately. It's a brutal lesson. Try reporting it to ChainAbuse.com too, maybe they can flag the wallet addresses.
This is textbook. ZG.com is a pure scam. They lure you in with fake promises and a fake platform that shows 'growth' to keep you invested. The 'friend' is just a cog in the machine. The moment you tried to withdraw and it didn't process? That was the final nail. They don't let you get anything out once they have it. Report it to the FBI's IC3 and your local authorities, but be prepared for a tough road. These operations are often international and hard to trace back. Lesson learned, unfortunately, the hard way.
I feel this deeply. Happened to me last year. About 8k USD gone. Met a 'business partner' online, very convincing. Pitched ZG.com, said it was 'exclusive'. Everything looked legit for months. Then, same story - locked out, contact vanished. I even contacted Wealth Recovery International, thinking they could help, but surprise, surprise, *they* were the next scam! Total loss. I reported it to my local police and the UAE's cybercrime unit. They took a report but didn't give me much hope. The main thing is not to blame yourself.
This is the worst. I lost R200,000 from something similar. 'Friend' from a dating app, pushed me onto a fake platform. Said it was a private syndicate. Showed me amazing profits. When I tried to pull out, just excuses. Then the site vanished. Reported it to the Hawks here in SA. They said it's a common tactic, often originating from Southeast Asia. They can try to trace the blockchain, but it's like finding a needle in a haystack. They advised me to report to the FBI IC3 as well, even from SA. I haven't seen a cent back.
Oh no, that's awful! I'm so sorry you're going through this. It sounds incredibly stressful. While getting the exact funds back is often very difficult with these types of scams, please don't stop reporting it. Every report helps authorities build a picture of these criminal networks. The Gardaí might not have the resources for crypto tracing, but reporting it ensures it's on their radar. Maybe see if there's a specific EU body for cross-border cybercrime that the Gardaí can liaise with. Hang in there, you're not alone.
This just made my stomach drop. It’s exactly what happened to me in 2022. Lost about $20k CAD. Met someone on LinkedIn, seemed legit, talked about market trends. Then they introduced me to this platform, looked like Binance or Kraken, but wasn't. Said it had lower fees. Moved my funds from Wealthsimple Crypto. Website just disappeared one day. 'Friend' blocked me. I reported it to the RCMP, and they were sympathetic but overwhelmed. It’s a gut-wrenching feeling, like being violated. I hope you have better luck than I did.
I’m in Atlanta and went through almost the exact same thing about a year ago. Met a guy online, seemed super nice, kept talking about how much money he was making. He told me about this platform, said it was way better than Coinbase. I moved about $8k worth of BTC onto it. Everything looked good for a couple months, then BAM! Website gone, guy gone. Called the police here, they just took a report. Feels like there's nothing you can do. I did report it to the FBI's IC3 though. It’s a long shot, but what else can we do?
ZG.com? Seriously? That's like one of the first ones that pops up when you search for 'crypto scam exchange'. It's wild people still fall for this. Look, I get it, they're good at the psychological manipulation. But you gotta do your own DD. If someone you met online tells you to move your funds from a reputable exchange like Coinbase to some random platform, that's a HUGE red flag. You're unlikely to get the crypto back. Focus on reporting it to the FBI IC3 and maybe ChainAbuse. They might be able to track the coins.
Oh mate, that sounds brutal. I was scammed on a platform called BitGlobal a while back. Similar story - met a woman online, built trust, then she pushed me to BitGlobal. Said it was a new, high-yield platform. Moved about 3k GBP over. Everything looked fine, showing massive gains. Then, one morning, login failed. Website gone. She ghosted. Reported it to Action Fraud here in the UK. They said they logged it but recovery is rare. The key thing they stressed was *never* to move crypto from your secure wallet to a third-party exchange recommended by someone you don't know personally.
I'm so sorry to hear this. It’s devastating. Reminds me of a time I got tricked into a forex scam – not crypto, but similar tactics. The 'friend' is just a lure. They want you to feel comfortable. ZG.com is definitely a known scam. The Gardaí are probably not equipped for this. Your best bet is to file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). They collate these reports and can sometimes track international operations. Keep all screenshots, chat logs, anything you have. Even if recovery is slim, reporting helps others.
This is rough. I lost about 5k AUD on a similar scheme last year. Met a guy online, seemed really genuine. He talked me into moving my funds from Kraken to a platform called 'NovaEx'. Looked super professional, showed fake profits. Then, poof. Gone. The scammer blocked me everywhere. I reported it to the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN). They were helpful in explaining the process but recovery is extremely unlikely. Keep all evidence. The most important lesson: never trust investment platforms recommended by strangers online.
Yeah, ZG.com is a known scam operation. They're very good at the romance/friendship angle to build trust before pushing you onto their fake platform. Unfortunately, crypto is hard to recover once it's gone, especially if it's been moved through multiple wallets or mixers. The Gardaí are likely correct in saying they don't have the tools for this. Your best bet is to report it to the FBI's IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center). They work with international law enforcement. Also, consider reporting to ChainAbuse.com; they track scam wallets and might have ZG.com listed. Document everything meticulously.
I was in a similar boat, lost about 3k EUR on a platform called 'BitConnect Pro' (not the original BitConnect, a copycat). Met someone on a forum, they seemed like a mentor. Pushed me onto this platform, showed me how 'easy' it was to make 1-2% daily. Moved funds from my Binance account. Then the site just vanished. The guy disappeared. It's heartbreaking. I reported it to my local police, but they weren't crypto savvy. They advised filing with the FBI IC3. The biggest red flag I missed was them pushing me to *their* specific platform instead of just talking about general market strategies.
Oh god, reading this makes me sick. I lost nearly all my savings on a platform called 'CoinMaxi' last year. Met a 'friend' online who seemed so genuine, we chatted for months. They convinced me to move my ETH from Coinbase. Said it was a new platform with huge potential. I moved about 10k USD worth. For weeks, the site showed amazing gains. Then, one day, gone. The website was down, and my 'friend' ghosted me. Reported to the FBI IC3 and local PD. They took reports but gave me no hope. It's a brutal lesson in trust.
This is unfortunately very common. ZG.com is on the list of known scam exchanges. The way these work is they create a fake interface that shows your money 'growing' to keep you invested. The 'friend' is a scammer, often working from a call center. They are trained to build rapport and manipulate victims. The Gardaí are likely out of their depth. Reporting to the FBI IC3 is your best bet for getting on record, and possibly ChainAbuse.com. Never, EVER move your crypto from a reputable exchange like Coinbase or Kraken to a platform you haven't thoroughly vetted yourself, especially one recommended by someone you only know online.
Heartbreaking. I lost about $5,000 USD on a fake ZG.com clone about 18 months ago. Similar story: met a woman online, built 'trust', she convinced me to move funds from Kraken. Showed me the 'profits' on their site. When I wanted to withdraw, suddenly there were 'fees' or 'taxes' I had to pay first. Of course, after paying those, the site just disappeared. I reported it to the FBI IC3. They compile these reports. It’s a long shot, but it’s the only official channel that deals with this kind of thing across borders.
Oh no, this is precisely the kind of scam I try to warn people about. ZG.com is a scam operation. The person you knew was not your friend; they were a scammer. They groom victims by building trust and feigning friendship or romance. Then they push you to fake platforms where your money looks like it's growing, but it's just a digital illusion. Recovery is nearly impossible once the funds are moved. Reporting to the FBI's IC3 is the best step you can take, as they coordinate with international agencies. Also, check out ChainAbuse.org; they are building a database of scam operations.
Ugh, that sounds absolutely brutal. ZG.com is a known scam operation, unfortunately. They pop up all the time under different names. The 'friend' you met was almost certainly a romance scammer who then directed you to a fake exchange. The platform itself was never real; it just showed you fake profits to keep you invested. Your crypto is likely already gone, moved through a series of wallets. The Gardaí are probably out of their depth here, but it's good you reported it. You could try filing a report with the FBI's IC3. They might not recover your funds directly, but they do track these kinds of cross-border scams.
I'm so sorry this happened to you. I went through something almost identical two years ago with a platform called CoinEgg. Met someone on a dating app, the whole nine yards. Moved my savings into it. Then poof. Gone. They make you feel like you're so smart for investing, then snatch it all away. It took me months to even admit to myself what happened. I never got a cent back, but I did report it. It’s good you’re talking about it now. Don’t blame yourself. These people are professionals at manipulation.
This is exactly how these crypto scams work. It's a classic setup: romance scammer befriends victim, convinces them to move funds to a fake exchange (ZG.com in this case), then the fake exchange disappears along with the money. I've seen this play out so many times. The profits you saw were entirely fabricated. The criminals are likely already laundering the funds through mixers. Your only real hope is if there's some massive bust and funds are recovered, which is extremely rare. Always be wary of unsolicited investment advice, especially from people you only know online.
ZG.com has been flagged as a fraudulent entity for some time now. It's a common tactic for these operations to use social engineering and emotional manipulation, like the 'friend' you described, to get people to deposit funds. The entire platform is designed to look legitimate while actually being a shell. Once they have your crypto, it's immediately swept away into other wallets, often through tumblers or mixers to obscure the trail. Reporting to local law enforcement is a good start, but for international crypto scams, you might also consider reaching out to organizations like ChainAbuse. They sometimes compile data that can help investigations, though direct recovery is unlikely.
Mate, I'm really sorry. ZG.com is pure garbage. They are not a real exchange. This is a big red flag you saw – when they pressured you to move funds from a reputable place like Coinbase to their platform. That's a HUGE warning sign. Real exchanges don't usually pressure you like that. What you should have done was *never* move it. But yeah, hindsight. Now it's almost certainly gone. There are recovery scammers too, like Wealth Recovery International – don't fall for those either. They just steal more from you. Best you can do is report it to the FBI IC3 and learn from this painful lesson.
This is heartbreaking to read. The ZG.com situation is all too common. The fake profits are designed to lull you into a false sense of security. Then, when you try to cash out or the scammers decide they've milked enough, they pull the rug. The person you spoke to was part of the scam, plain and simple. They build trust, then exploit it. The crypto is almost certainly lost. When you reported to the Gardaí, did they give you a crime reference number? Keep that. If you haven't already, file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). They are better equipped for these online thefts.
This scenario sounds like a sophisticated crypto scam leveraging social engineering. ZG.com is likely a fake platform designed to steal funds. The 'friend' was almost certainly a scammer, possibly working with others to operate the fake exchange. They build trust over time, then guide victims to deposit funds into their control. Once the crypto is on their platform, it's immediately withdrawn and laundered. Recovery is incredibly difficult because the funds are quickly moved across multiple wallets and jurisdictions. Your best bet, though chances are slim, is to report it to the FBI IC3 and provide as much detail as possible about the 'friend' and the platform interactions. Keep records of all communications.
Oh no, that's awful. ZG.com? Seriously? Sounds like a total rug pull. I've seen so many people get burned by these fake crypto sites. The 'friend' is just a lure. They get you hooked with fake gains and then vanish. I'd be very surprised if you get any of that money back, tbh. The crypto is probably long gone. Did you ever check the domain registration for ZG.com? Often these scam sites are registered very recently and have privacy protection on. It's a long shot, but sometimes looking at the technical details can confirm it's dodgy. Anyway, sorry this happened to you.

