My 'new partner' from a dating app scammed me with a fake forex platform; can I report from France?

Oh Lina, I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's an awful experience, and please, absolutely do not feel stupid – these scammers are professionals at manipulation. You are not alone. From France, you definitely have avenues to report this.

First, gather every single piece of evidence: screenshots of chat logs (dating app, WhatsApp, etc.), transaction records (bank transfers, crypto addresses if applicable), the website address of the fake platform, any emails. Every little bit helps. Then, contact the French financial regulatory authority, which is the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers). They have a dedicated section for reporting investment scams. You should also file a complaint with the national police (Police Nationale or Gendarmerie Nationale) – this is crucial for getting a case number. They might not always have the resources to investigate every single one, but it's vital for documentation and for intelligence gathering on these groups.

Beyond that, for the technical side of tracing funds, especially if crypto was involved, firms like Nethertrace specialize in that. It's a long shot for recovery, but documenting everything is step one. Good luck, and take care of yourself.

Lina, my heart goes out to you. What a terrible thing to go through. It's completely understandable to feel heartbroken and angry. Don't beat yourself up, these people are seriously sophisticated. What Tess said is spot on for the reporting part. Getting it on record with the AMF and the police is key. Even if it feels like just paperwork, it all helps to build a bigger picture of these criminal operations.

Also, mentally, it's a huge blow. Make sure you talk to someone – a trusted friend, family, or even a therapist specializing in trauma. The emotional recovery from these scams is just as important as the financial. Stay strong.

This whole 'test withdrawal' thing? That's a classic pig butchering trick, Lina. They let you withdraw a small amount just to boost your confidence and get you to sink in more. Don't fall for that psychological manipulation ever again if you ever see it somewhere else. It's a red flag. Huge red flag. The fact that the person vanished after you tried to withdraw seriously points to a scam. Like, you know, textbook. Report everything like the others said. Don't expect your money back easily, but reporting is important.

Ugh, this sounds so familiar. I also fell for something similar, though it was a 'gold trading' platform. I mean, they were so charming, always there, asking about my day, telling me about theirs. My family kept telling me I was being naive but I just couldn't see it until it was too late. I lost a good amount of my savings too, not as much as yours maybe, but still a lot for me. I'm in Abu Dhabi and honestly, the police here were sympathetic but said it's very hard with these international scams. I wished I had done more research first. Even checking if the platform was registered with MAS or something locally, but with forex, it's global, right? Anyway, I'm just here to say you're not alone and the emotional pain is real.

Yeah, I lost about 12k USD on a fake crypto platform earlier this year after meeting someone on LinkedIn. They kept saying 'it's easy money, just trust me bro'. Fool me once, shame on them. Fool me twice... nah screw that, there won't be a twice. I tried reporting it to my bank here in Sharjah, and they said they'd look into it but cautioned me against holding my breath. It's such a punch to the gut. The worst part is the feeling of being betrayed by someone you thought you connected with.

Lina, it's awful, truly. I got caught in one of these pig butchering scams too, through a "friend" I met on a social app who introduced me to a supposedly lucrative crypto investment. Ended up losing nearly 20k CAD. I learned the hard way that if someone you've only met online starts talking about investments, ESPECIALLY crypto or forex, it's a massive red flag. Always, always verify. Does the platform have a legitimate regulator? Is the person's story consistent? If you can't verify 100%, run. I reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre here in Victoria, but it's a long process and the chances of recovery are slim, tbh. Just focus on your well-being now.

Hey Lina, that's absolutely gut-wrenching. I'm so sorry you're going through this. The emotional toll is huge, so please prioritize yourself. Besides the formal reporting avenues like AMF and the police in France, sometimes telling your bank about the fraudulent transactions the moment you realize it and filing a dispute can help, especially if it was a direct transfer. They might have a short window to recall the funds, though it's often difficult if the money's already moved through multiple layers. But it's always worth a shot to block future activity and notify them. In Durban, we have Capitec Bank, and they're usually pretty good about this kind of thing, though they can't always guarantee a reversal.

It's always the same story, isn't it? 'Met someone lovely online', 'amazing investment opportunity', 'small test withdrawal works', then 'can't access funds, person vanishes.' The patterns are so clear to us on the outside, but when you're in it, it's like you're blindfolded. I see too many of these. Reporting is definitely good for data collection. But getting your money back? Let's just say don't bet your next house deposit on it. These operations are often cross-border and incredibly complex to trace funds. The AFP here in Canberra does great work, but they can't work miracles for every victim. Hope you find some peace, Lina.

Lina, this is a classic 'pig butchering' scam, as others mentioned. The 'test withdrawal' is a key part of how they build confidence. The fact that the platform required 'taxes' or 'fees' before withdrawal is another massive red flag for anyone reading this. Legitimate financial platforms don't ask for additional payments to 'release' your own funds. That's pure theatre to extract more money from you. Always verify the platform with official financial regulators like the AMF in France, or AFM in the Netherlands, or ASIC/AFP in Australia. If a platform is not regulated or on a warning list, stay far away. Even if it *looks* legitimate, it can be a highly sophisticated fake. And never, ever mix dating and investing with someone you haven't truly verified in person. I've seen so many cases from Pretoria where people lose everything. Get your report in with the AMF and local police, that's your best bet for making an official record, which is step one.

Seriously, people, if someone you meet online, especially on a dating app, starts talking about investment opportunities, crypto, forex, gold trading, anything that promises 'guaranteed' or 'high' returns—it's a scam. Almost 100% of the time. The only exception is maybe if your actual, real-life, long-term best friend, who you've known for years, suggests something and you do your *own* independent, thorough research. But a new 'partner'? A 'mentor' from LinkedIn? No way. This is your cue to immediately disconnect and block. It costs you nothing to be skeptical but everything if you're not. Lina, take this as a hard, painful lesson learned and focus on emotional recovery. Don't let these horrible people take any more from you.

Oh, that's an awful situation. Dating app scams that lead into investment fraud are unfortunately super common. The fact that you got a small withdrawal through first is a classic tactic to build trust. It's horrifying when someone you felt a connection with turns out to be a scammer, and then to lose your savings on top of it... heart-wrenching.

From France, your first port of call should be PHAROS (the French platform for reporting online crimes — https://internet-signalement.gouv.fr/). They work with the police. Also, look into filing a complaint with the AMF France (Autorité des marchés financiers) as they oversee financial markets and can potentially take action against unregulated platforms. Don't expect the 15k back super quickly, but reporting is absolutely the right thing to do. It helps build a case.

Hey, I'm so sorry this happened to you. Reading your story, I just felt for you. It's so easy to fall into these traps when someone seems genuinely interested and then brings up 'opportunities'. The fake profits, the promises about the future... it's designed to make you feel like you're building something real. Losing your savings like that, especially for a house deposit, is a massive blow.

Please be kind to yourself. You're not stupid; you were manipulated by someone who preyed on your good intentions and trust. It's a horrible feeling, I know. It takes time to heal from that kind of betrayal and financial loss. Just focus on one day at a time, and reaching out here is a good step.

This is a tough one. While I feel for your situation, the 'forex trading' part with screenshots and promises of easy money is a HUGE red flag. A lot of these 'opportunities' are just thinly veiled Ponzi schemes or outright scams. And the 'partner' disappears? Classic.

Getting money back from these things is notoriously difficult, especially if the platform is offshore. Your best bet is to report it to the French authorities via PHAROS. Did you check if the platform itself was regulated by AMF France? If not, that's a big sign it was never legitimate.

I've been there. Not with forex, but something similar. Met someone online, seemed perfect, then got me into this 'investment'. Lost about 7k of mine. The feeling of dread when you realize it's gone, and that person is just a ghost... it's crushing. I felt so foolish for months.

I reported it to Action Fraud in the UK at the time, but honestly, they didn't recover anything. The key thing I learned is these scams are often international and very hard to trace back. The police can only do so much. But reporting it, like you're planning? It's crucial. You need to file a report with the police in France (via PHAROS link). It validates your experience and might help others down the line. Hang in there.

This is textbook romance/investment fraud. They build trust, create a sense of shared future, then introduce a fake investment opportunity. The small withdrawal is a common tactic to build confidence. Since you're in France, you'll want to report this to the AMF France, as they are the financial regulator. Also, file a report with the French police via the national online platform. From a US perspective, we often see these funds disappear into crypto tumblers or overseas accounts, making recovery extremely difficult.

A practical tip: if you or anyone else is ever offered an investment opportunity by someone met online, *always* independently verify the platform's legitimacy with the financial regulator in *your* country and theirs. Do not rely on links or directions from the person. If they pressure you, it's a scam. Period.

Hmm, that sounds incredibly stressful. A 'lovely' person from a dating app turning out to be a scammer? That’s rough, I’m sorry. And the forex platform... were you able to find any license information for it? I feel like if they didn't have proper regulatory backing, it's a sign they weren't legit. The slow withdrawal leading to excuses is also super suspicious.

I understand the desire to get money back, but honestly, from what I've seen, it’s rare. Your best bet is to report it to the authorities. Did you check if the website had any disclaimers about offering services only in certain regions?

This is a very common vector for scams unfortunately. The persona builds emotional attachment, then pivots to a fabricated 'investment opportunity.' The staged successes and small successful withdrawal are designed to hook you completely. When the withdrawal stalls, it's the final stage of the scam.

Reporting channels in France:

1. PHAROS: The primary portal for reporting internet crimes. (https://internet-signalement.gouv.fr/)
2. AMF France: As the financial markets regulator, they are the correct body to report unregulated investment firms or potential fraud. (https://www.amf-france.org/)

Be aware that recovering funds is exceptionally difficult once they've been moved, often through crypto or international transfers. Your primary goal with reporting should be to alert authorities and prevent further victims, rather than expecting full restitution.

I'm so sorry you went through this. It's the worst kind of betrayal when someone you trusted financially exploits you like that. The whole story—the romance, the fake opportunity, the disappearing act—it's a playbook, sadly. I lost a good amount myself last year to something similar, though not on a dating app. It took me months to even admit what had happened.

Don't beat yourself up. You trusted someone, and they broke that trust. Focus on healing first. Reporting it is important though. Makes you feel like you're taking back some control. I hope you can find some peace after this.

This is heartbreaking. I'm living proof it's possible to get scammed like this and feel like an idiot. I lost nearly all my savings on what looked like a legit crypto platform recommended by someone I met online. They promised the moon, and then... gone. The feeling of shame is awful, but please know you're not alone. The scammer disappearing is the biggest sign.

From Singapore where I am, reporting helped a little to get it on record, but getting money back felt impossible. I guess from France, reporting to AMF France or PHAROS is your best move. Just don't blame yourself. These people are professionals at manipulation.

Wait, so they used a dating app profile to lure you into a fake forex scam? That's incredibly low. If it looks too good to be true, especially with 'huge profits' shown on screenshots, it almost always is. The fact they vanished after you couldn't withdraw the rest? Red flag.

I'm not sure about France specifically, but in South Africa, reporting to the Hawks (our serious crimes unit) is an option, though success is rare. You should definitely try the PHAROS portal and report to AMF France. It's a long shot for the money, but it's important to get these people on the radar.

Oh no, this is so awful. I've seen so many scams like this popping up, especially those targeting people looking for connection online. The fake investment platform with impossible returns is a classic element used by fraudsters. The way they manipulated your trust and then vanished is just deplorable.

In the UAE, we'd report to the police and the UAE Central Bank. For France, reporting to PHAROS and AMF France is definitely the way to go. Be wary of any services that promise to recover your money quickly for a fee – they are often scams too. Your priority now should be reporting and focusing on your own recovery.

Gosh, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It sounds absolutely devastating. Losing your savings like that, especially when it's tied to a relationship that felt so real, is just gut-wrenching. It's happened to friends too, and it's a horrible feeling of betrayal and regret.

Don't let anyone make you feel stupid. These scammers are incredibly sophisticated and target people's hopes and desires. You did what anyone might do when they feel connected to someone and see what looks like a good opportunity. The most you can do now is report it. Filing a complaint with the relevant authorities in France is the right step. Take care of yourself.

This is a really sad story, and unfortunately, a common one. The romance angle combined with a fake investment is a nasty trick. The promise of building a future together is especially cruel. The fact they ghosted you when you tried to withdraw is the definitive sign.

Here in Australia, reporting to ASIC and the AFP (Australian Federal Police) would be the steps. From France, you should report to AMF France and the French police via PHAROS. It's unlikely you'll get the money back, as these scams often move funds quickly into untraceable channels like crypto. But reporting is vital. Also, perhaps consider using a service like Nethertrace (nethertrace.co) if you want to explore advanced digital forensics, though success is never guaranteed.

This sounds like a classic romance scam that morphed into an investment scam. The pattern is all too familiar: build trust, introduce a fake profit-generating opportunity, ask for deposits, then invent excuses to prevent withdrawals. It's particularly predatory when it starts on a dating app.

From your location in France, reporting this through PHAROS (the government's online crime reporting platform) is the most direct route. The financial regulatory body, AMF France, should also be notified. These scammers often operate internationally, making recovery incredibly challenging, but reporting is crucial for law enforcement to track these activities. Never send money based purely on someone's recommendation or screenshots.

I'm so sorry; this sounds absolutely devastating. That whole scenario is a nightmare. The 'lovely person' turning out to be a fraud and then your money vanishing... it's a brutal combination. The small withdrawal success is a classic hook to make you believe it's real.

I work in cybersecurity and have seen many of these cases. The platforms are often faked entirely, and the 'profits' are just numbers on a screen. Your best bet to report this is through the official channels: PHAROS for general online crime and the AMF France for financial scams. While recovery is extremely difficult, reporting helps build intelligence against these criminal networks. Don't blame yourself.

Ugh, I've heard so many stories like this. It's horrible when you meet someone and think it's real, only for them to be a scammer. The fake forex thing is basically a known scam type now. They love to show fake profits and do a small withdrawal to get you hooked.

Reporting it is the best you can do. From France, use PHAROS. Also, check if the platform itself claims to be regulated by anyone. If it's not regulated by a body like AMF France, that's a big red flag. It's a tough situation, and recovery is rare, but don't let them get away with it without being reported.

This is incredibly painful, and I'm so sorry you're going through it. The betrayal on multiple levels—personal and financial—is just awful. The pattern you describe is unfortunately very familiar in romance and investment fraud rings. The staged success and increasing excuses are textbook. You are not stupid; you were targeted by sophisticated criminals.

Reporting is essential. In France, PHAROS is the portal for online crime. You should also report to the AMF France. It’s hard to get money back, but reporting helps authorities identify patterns. If you want to explore any recovery options, consider talking to specialized firms, but be extremely cautious of recovery scams themselves – they are rampant.

Wow, this is a really tough one. A dating app scam leading to forex fraud... that's a really nasty combination. The whole 'build a future together' line makes it so much worse. And the fake platform with fake profits? It's a classic trick.

I'm not from France, but generally, you need to report this to the national police or a financial crimes unit. For France, you should look into PHAROS and definitely file a complaint with AMF France. They deal with financial market issues. Getting money back from these international scams is super difficult, almost impossible sometimes.

Oh, that's absolutely gutting. I'm so sorry this happened. I was scammed out of about 3k last year through a similar 'investment opportunity' that started on social media. That feeling of being so dumb and violated... it's the worst. The person just vanished, and the money was gone. It's a crime against your trust and your finances.

What you can do is report it. From France, you should definitely use the PHAROS website. That's the official way to report internet crimes. Also, reach out to AMF France. Please don't blame yourself. It happens to so many people. Focus on getting through this day by day.

Oh no, that sounds absolutely devastating. Going through a scam like this is brutal, especially when you thought you'd found someone special. Don't beat yourself up; these scammers are incredibly good at what they do, playing on emotions and trust. It's happened to so many people.

Since you're in France, your first port of call should be the AMF France (Autorité des Marchés Financiers). They are the financial markets regulator and are the correct authority to report investment fraud. You should also report the dating app itself to the platform, as they have a responsibility to vet users and apps advertised on their service. That fake forex platform is likely not regulated anywhere legitimate.

Ugh, I am so sorry this happened to you. That must be a horrific feeling, realizing the person and the investment were both fake. It takes a lot of courage to even post about this, so thank you for sharing. You are definitely not stupid. These scams are designed to trick even smart people.

I'm not in France, but I've heard that checking with your local police is a good starting point. They can often guide you on the correct channels. Also, if you paid using a credit card, talk to your bank *immediately* about a chargeback. Sometimes, if the transaction hasn't fully cleared or if it's within a certain window, they can help claw some of it back. It’s a long shot with wire transfers, I know, but definitely worth asking.

Heartbreaking to hear your story. This is classic romance/investment scam 101. They build trust, then lure you into a fake platform, milk you dry, and disappear. That small withdrawal was a psychological trick to make you feel safe. Total manipulation.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. It sounds like a nightmare, and the emotional betrayal on top of the financial loss must be unbearable. Don't let this experience make you lose faith in people entirely, though. There are good people and good relationships out there, this was just a terrible, targeted deception.

For reporting, you should definitely look into the AMF France. They regulate financial services and would be the primary agency to turn to. You might also consider reaching out to a specialized company for scam recovery, like Nethertrace. I've heard (though can't verify personally) that they sometimes have success in tracing and recovering funds, though it often depends on where the money went. It's worth looking into as another option to explore alongside the official channels.

Oh wow, this is truly awful. I can only imagine how you're feeling right now – the shock, the anger, the sadness. Please be kind to yourself. You were taken advantage of by a very cunning scammer who preyed on your vulnerability and desire for a future. That first successful withdrawal? That's a well-known tactic to build false confidence. It makes me sick that people do this.

My advice, besides reporting to the AMF France, is to gather every single piece of communication you have. Screenshots of the app, messages, emails, transaction records – everything. Keep it all organized. This will be crucial if you decide to pursue this further, whether through official channels or if you look into specialized recovery services. Sometimes just having that clear timeline and evidence can help in the process.