My 'online girlfriend' scammed me with a fake crypto platform, now she's asking for a 'tax' to withdraw. Is this another trick?

Ok, Isabella, what you're describing is textbook pig butchering, and that 'tax' thing is how they try to fleece you one last time before they disappear. Been there, done that, lost far too much. Mine was on a platform similar to CoinEgg, introduced by a 'mentor' on LinkedIn. The 'tax' or 'unlock fee' is a complete fabrication. They create fake profit numbers on the platform to entice you, but there's no real money there to withdraw.

Stop all communication immediately. Block 'Anna' on everything. Your bank (Desjardins in your case) might be able to help with freezing future withdrawals if you acted very quickly, but honestly, it's usually too late once the funds are sent to crypto. Do report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) and your local police. It's tough, but understanding you've been brutally scammed and moving on from trying to recover the money will save your mental health and prevent further losses. It's a hard lesson, but you're not dumb; you were manipulated by experts.

Oh man, Isabella, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's a classic pig butchering scam, and that 'tax' is 100% just another layer of the scam to squeeze more money out of you. They'll keep coming up with excuses – taxes, regulatory fees, anti-money laundering checks – anything to make you pay more. You'll never see that initial 15k, let alone any fake profits, once you pay the 'tax'. It's gone.

Your best bet now is to cut all contact with 'Anna' and the platform. Block her everywhere. Then, you need to report this to the AFP here in Australia, or if you're in Canada, the equivalent. For Canada, that's usually the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). File a police report too. They might not get your money back, but reporting it is crucial to help track these networks. Keep all your screenshots, chat logs, transaction details – everything. I know it's incredibly painful, but please don't send them another cent.

Isabella, I am so sorry this happened to you. It's truly heartbreaking when trust is betrayed like this, especially after forming such a strong connection. Please know that this isn't your fault – these scammers are incredibly sophisticated and play on human emotions. That 'tax' is definitely a scam. They often invent these extra fees to try and get more money, and once you pay one, another will pop up. It's a never-ending cycle.

Take care of yourself first. It's okay to feel upset, angry, and betrayed. After that, gather all the evidence you can: screenshots of calls, messages, transaction records, the platform's URL. Then, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Also, let your bank know you suspect fraud. They might not be able to claw back the money, but it's important for their fraud prevention. Wishing you strength through this difficult time.

Girl, that 'tax' is red flags waving everywhere. Standard government tax on crypto withdrawals? Nah, that's not how it works. Sounds like they're just trying to milk you for more. It's a classic move in these investment scams. They hook you with fake profits, make you feel like you've made a killing, then hit you with some bogus fee right when you try to cash out. Don't pay it. Pretty sure that money is long gone. Sad but true. I'd block them and just assume it's a loss.

Oh, Isabella, my heart breaks for you reading this. I went through *exactly* the same thing, but it was with someone from Instagram and a platform called CoinFlux. The 'tax' thing... that's 100% a scam. They tried it with me too. First a 'withdrawal fee', then a 'compliance fee', then a 'tax'. It never ends. They will keep pushing you, telling you just one more payment and then you'll get everything back. It's a lie. They're just trying to get every last cent they can.

I was so embarrassed, I didn't tell anyone for weeks. But please, tell your family, tell a friend. You need support. And don't send another cent. I wish I had stopped sooner. I've reported it to the South African Police Service (SAPS) but honestly, I don't expect anything back. The emotional toll is just as bad as the financial one. You're not alone.

Ugh, this is so awful, Isabella. Always the same story with these scams. 'Sweet online girlfriend' turns out to be a professional fraudster. That 'tax' is 100% fake. There's no such thing as paying a tax *to the platform* to release your funds after an investment, especially not some random 20%. If taxes were due, they'd be paid from your profits, or reported on your income when you file, not demanded upfront by a dodgy platform.

It's a common psychological trick to make you think you're so close to getting your money, compelling you to pay just a little more. Don't fall for it. Your money is gone. I know it's harsh but accepting that now will save you from losing even more. Just cut them off.

Yeah, Isabella, I'm really sorry to tell you but that 'tax' is just another scam, mate. These romance scams, they're brutal because they play with your heart as well as your wallet. I got caught out last year with similar promises from someone on WhatsApp. They had me on a fake crypto platform, showed me fake gains, then when I tried to withdraw, guess what? 'Transaction fees', 'security audit fees', 'tax clearance'. It's all B.S. They'll never let you get a cent out.

My advice? Cut all ties. Block 'Anna' and uninstall or delete any apps related to CoinEgg. Report it to your bank and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. It's a long shot for getting your money back, but it's important for statistics and hopefully catching some of these scumbags. Look after yourself now, that's the main thing.

Isabella, I'm so sorry you're in this position. It's a classic pig-butchering scam – they cultivate a relationship, build trust, then introduce a fake investment platform like CoinEgg. The 'tax' they're asking for? It's a common tactic to extract more money from victims. It absolutely is another trick. Real investment platforms don't demand a 'tax' payment directly to them for withdrawals.

Here's what you need to do immediately: Cease all contact with 'Anna' and do NOT send any more money. Next, contact your bank (Desjardins) again and explain the full situation. They might have a fraud department that can offer advice, even if they can't reverse the transfers. Most importantly, report this to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) and your local police. Provide them with all the details, including screenshots of conversations, transaction records, and the URL for CoinEgg. While recovery is difficult, reporting is crucial to stopping these criminals and helping other potential victims.

Girl, same thing happened to me, only it was a 'wealth manager' on Instagram. The 'tax' is 1000% a scam. It's just them trying to get you to dump more cash into their pockets. Once you pay the 'tax', another 'fee' will pop up, then another. They literally don't stop until you have nothing left or finally wise up and cut them off. It's heartbreaking cos you feel so dumb after, but these people are pros at manipulating you. Don't be ashamed. Just stop. Block everything and everyone associated with 'Anna' and that CoinEgg thing. It's gone. Focus on healing, not on chasing phantom money.

Really sorry to hear this, Isabella. That 'tax' is a total lie, it's just a way for them to try and steal more money from you. These scams are expertly designed to exploit emotions and trust. I went through a very similar situation last year, and I can tell you from experience, sending more money for any 'fee' or 'tax' will just mean losing even more. You'll never see that money or any of the fake profits.

The best thing you can do now is to immediately stop all communication with 'Anna' and CoinEgg. Please do not send another penny. Report everything to Action Fraud here in the UK if I was there, but since you're in Canada, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Provide them with every single piece of information you have – account numbers, fake platform URLs, chat logs. It's a tough pill to swallow, but the money is almost certainly gone. Focus on your recovery, both financially and emotionally.