A company called 'Reclaim Asset Solutions' wants a 'cryptocurrency vault unlocking fee'. Scam?

asked 11d ago8 views38 answers
0

Hey everyone, I'm feeling so lost and desperate. Back in November, I fell for one of those pig butchering scams – lost a decent chunk, like, low five figures, all in crypto. It was devastating, I didn't even tell my family the full amount. I reported it to the local police here in Singapore, but they basically said it's a long shot.

Then, out of nowhere, I get an email from a company called 'Reclaim Asset Solutions'. They said they track these crypto scams and found my case. They sound super professional, even mentioned specific details about the transaction hash which kinda freaked me out but also made me hopeful. They're saying they can recover my funds, but I need to pay a 'cryptocurrency vault unlocking fee' first, about 2,500 USDT. They explained it's for some secure protocol to access the scammer's wallets. I'm so torn. Is this legit? Or am I just about to get scammed again? I really can't afford to lose more. Please help.

38 Answers

42

Oh Yi, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's an absolutely classic recovery scam, 100% no doubt. They target people who have already been scammed because they know you're desperate and vulnerable. The 'cryptocurrency vault unlocking fee' is just made up. There's no such thing in a legitimate recovery process.

See, real law enforcement or genuine asset recovery specialists don't ask for upfront fees like that, especially not for 'unlocking' non-existent crypto vaults. They get paid *after* a successful recovery, usually as a percentage of what's retrieved. The fact they knew details about your previous scam is concerning, but not unheard of. Sometimes scammer lists get sold, or you might have mentioned it in a public forum or a scam database they monitor. Please, please do not send them any money. Cut off all contact immediately. Report them to your local authorities if you haven't already and update them about this new attempt. Stay strong, it's brutal to be targeted twice.

Mia Bouchard · Quebec City, Canadaanswered 11d ago
47

Dude, NO. Seriously, do not fall for it. This is exactly what happened to me after I lost money in a fake investment platform. A company, not 'Reclaim Asset Solutions' but another one with a super official-sounding name, contacted me. They talked a good game, knew a lot about my case too. They asked for a 'regulatory compliance fee' to unfreeze the funds. I almost paid, thank god my missus stopped me. It's just another way to milk more money out of you. They'll take your 2,500 USDT and disappear, just like the first lot did. Legit recovery services don't do this. Stay safe, mate.

Daniel Williams · London, United Kingdomanswered 11d ago
28

Oh non, Yi, this is awful but a very common trick. It's a second scam, for sure. No real recovery service or government body will ever ask you for an upfront fee to 'unlock' anything or pay for 'secure protocols'. Think about it: if they *could* access the scammer's wallet, why would they need *your* money to do it? They'd just take their fee from the recovered funds. They just want to drain more from you. Block them. These people are heartless.

Lina Thomas · Nice, Franceanswered 11d ago
35

Agreed with everyone here. It's a scam. I was hit by something similar but with forex. Lost my initial investment, then got contacted by 'Funds Recovery Group'. They wanted a 'tax clearance fee' after showing me a fake screenshot of my funds 'recovered' in an escrow account. Nearly coughed up another few grand. It's designed to play on your desperation. Don't fall for it twice. They're predators. The 'vault unlocking fee' is just their version of the 'tax clearance fee' or 'regulatory compliance fee'. Stay clear.

Lucas Smit · Bloemfontein, South Africaanswered 11d ago
19

Ugh, this happened to me too, Yi. Not 'Reclaim Asset Solutions' but 'MoneyBack Hero'. They promised the world after I lost like 10k CAD to a crypto scam. They even had a fancy website and 'testimonials'. They asked for a 'legal administrative fee' first, about 1k. I was so desperate, I paid it. Guess what? They ghosted me. Just gone. Never heard from them again. It was a horrible feeling, like reliving the original scam. Don't make my mistake. Seriously, it's a trap.

Olivia Gagne · Victoria, Canadaanswered 11d ago
15

Yeah, def a scam. No real recovery outfit, especially for crypto, asks for upfront fees. That 'vault unlocking fee' is complete BS. They're just trying to hit you again while you're down. These guys often buy lists of scam victims, that's how they knew about your situation. It's infuriating. Best thing you can do is block them and report them to the FTC or equivalent in your country, just to add to their database. Sorry you're going through this, man.

Sem Bos · Utrecht, Netherlandsanswered 11d ago
11

Don't do it, Yi. That's a classic advance-fee scam, it's their bread and butter. I got conned similarly after a fake investment app drained my savings. Then these 'recovery specialists' called, super aggressive, saying I needed to pay a 'bank transfer processing fee' to get my money. It was around R30,000! Luckily my bank flagged it as suspicious when I tried to send it and stopped the transaction. They know you're vulnerable. Please, for your own peace of mind and wallet, ignore them. It's not legit.

Grace Coetzee · East London, South Africaanswered 11d ago
9

This is a red flag big time. Any company asking for an upfront fee for 'unlocking' or 'securing' funds in a recovery process, especially with crypto, is almost certainly a scam. Legitimate financial fraud investigators or law enforcement agencies do not operate this way. If they could really get your money back, they'd take their cut from the *recovered* amount, not ask you to pay more out of pocket. Be extremely cautious. Verify everything independently, but honestly, this sounds like typical scammer behavior. Do not send any USDT.

Khalid Al Mansoori · Ajman, UAEanswered 11d ago
7

Oh, Yi, I'm so sorry you're in this position. It's absolutely devastating to be scammed once, let alone to have these vultures circling back. Everyone else is right – this is a recovery scam, pure and simple. That 'vault unlocking fee' is 100% made up. They prey on our hope and desperation. It's so hard when you feel like you've got no options left. Just remember, anyone asking for money upfront to 'recover' funds is a scammer. Don't beat yourself up for even considering it; they are *very* good at what they do. Please just cut all contact and try to focus on your well-being.

Charlotte Williams · Gold Coast, Australiaanswered 11d ago
22

100% a scam, Yi. I went through this exact same thing. Lost a chunk in a trading scam, then contacted by 'Claims Justice'. They were really convincing at first, showing 'progress' reports and stuff. Then they asked for a 'transaction verification fee' to release the funds. I felt so stupid paying it, but I did. Lost another 1,500 euros. It was a hard lesson learned. Don't be me. Real help, like Nethertrace (who I eventually worked with, and they were amazing, no upfront fees whatsoever), they don't do this. They assess, investigate, and if they can help, they tell you their terms, which don't involve you paying to 'unlock' mythical vaults.

Arthur Lefebvre · Marseille, Franceanswered 11d ago
7

This is textbook. 'Reclaim Asset Solutions' is just another scammer posing as a recovery agent. They get your hopes up by mentioning details they *might* have gleaned from public blockchain data or even from the initial scammer's communication, which they likely bought access to. The 'vault unlocking fee' is the trap. They *never* recover anything. They just take your money and disappear. If you want to report this, check out the FTC's website for their fraud reporting. It's a long shot for recovery, but it's important to put these guys on the radar.

Lerato Mokoena · Johannesburg, South Africaanswered 11d ago
5

Oh wow, that sounds incredibly stressful. It's so tough when you're already down and then you get these offers that sound too good to be true. Ngl, I'd be very suspicious of anyone asking for money upfront to 'unlock' anything, especially crypto. They prey on that desperate hope. Maybe try looking up 'Funds Recovery Group' reviews or 'Claims Justice' – often, the people who fall for these *recovery* scams are warned by others who've been there. Don't send them any more money, please.

Logan Tremblay · Ottawa, Canadaanswered 11d ago
6

Ach du lieber! This smells like a scam. They are using your transaction details to build false credibility. Why would they need a 'fee' to unlock a vault? If they found your money, they should be able to deduct their fee from the recovered amount. This is a very old trick in the book. Do not pay them. I've seen this with a friend who lost money to a phishing scam. A similar company contacted him and asked for money. He paid, and of course, nothing happened. He just lost the extra money.

Marie Fischer · Frankfurt, Germanyanswered 11d ago
5

Hate to hear you've been through this. Pig butchering scams are brutal, and losing that much money must be devastating. It's really understandable that you'd jump at any chance to get it back. But, yeah, asking for an upfront fee like that? It's a huge red flag. These recovery outfits are almost always just another layer of scam. They probably bought your contact info from the original scammers or found public blockchain data. Seriously, just block and ignore them. You've already been through enough.

Sem de Boer · Rotterdam, Netherlandsanswered 11d ago
6

Non, non, non. This is absolutely a scam. They are sophisticated criminals. They find your transaction hash on the blockchain – it's public! They then send out mass emails to victims of crypto scams hoping to reel in more money. The 'vault unlocking fee' is a classic con. If they could recover it, they wouldn't need your money *first*. They'd take a percentage of the recovery. My cousin's friend almost fell for this. Thank goodness he asked me first. Report it to the authorities if you can, but don't send them a cent.

Chloe Petit · Marseille, Franceanswered 11d ago
10

I know *exactly* how you feel. That flicker of hope when they mention details... it's like a drug. I lost about $15k to a fake investment platform last year. Then some outfit called 'Refund Police' contacted me. Said they could get it back for a fee. I was so close to sending them the money, my husband had to practically drag the laptop away from me. It's a second scam, preying on your desperation. They're bottom feeders. Don't trust them. You did the right thing by asking here. I wish I had.

Mia Moreau · Marseille, Franceanswered 11d ago
9

Argh, this is the worst part. The recovery scammers. They're the lowest of the low, honestly. I was scammed out of nearly €10k a couple of years back, and after the initial shock wore off, I got hit up by a couple of these 'reclamation' companies. They use your transaction IDs – easily visible on the blockchain explorers – to sound legit. Then they ask for an upfront fee. It's a trap. A double scam. You're not alone in this. Don't send them any more money.

Sean Quinn · Cork, Irelandanswered 11d ago
5

Oh no, this sounds really concerning. It's completely natural to want to get your money back, especially after such a huge loss. But that fee structure is a major red flag. Legitimate recovery services typically work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they successfully recover your funds, and they take a percentage *after* the recovery. These upfront fees are almost always a sign of a scam. Maybe look into resources from the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) in the UK, they have good advice on avoiding these recovery scams.

Sophie Dlamini · Johannesburg, South Africaanswered 11d ago
7

This is precisely how the secondary scam works. They leverage publicly available blockchain data (transaction hashes are not private) to identify victims. Then, they contact you with a false promise of recovery, requiring an upfront 'fee'. Companies like 'Reclaim Asset Solutions' are not legitimate. They are opportunists who profit from victimizing you a second time. Consider it akin to ambulance chasers, but for digital assets. For actual reporting, look towards the CFTC (Commodity Futures & Futures Trading Commission) or your local financial regulators. They can't recover your funds, but they can track and potentially prosecute these entities.

Lina Thomas · Paris, Franceanswered 11d ago
6

Yeah, this is shady. They say they 'found your case'? They probably bought a list of victims. I got an email like that after I lost money on a crypto rug pull last year. They mentioned the exact amount I lost, and it scared me for a second too. But then they wanted a 'processing fee' upfront. I told my wife about it, and she immediately said, 'No way, Mohammed. That's just another scammer.' She's usually way too trusting, so when she said that, I knew it was bad news. Don't send them money.

Mohammed Al Qasimi · Sharjah, UAEanswered 11d ago
9

Ugh, I know this feeling. I lost my savings to a fake forex trading platform on Telegram about 18 months ago. Then, out of the blue, 'MoneyBack Hero' contacted me. They knew the platform name and the amounts I deposited. It felt like a miracle. They wanted $1000 upfront for 'legal fees' to freeze the scammers' accounts. I almost did it. I remember crying with relief thinking I'd get my money back. My sister talked me out of it. She said, 'If it sounds too good to be true...' and she was right. It was another scam. Don't pay them. Please don't pay them.

Lina Koch · Cologne, Germanyanswered 11d ago
8

This is exactly what happened to me. I lost about $8,000 on a fake NFT marketplace. A week later, I got an email from a company called 'Claims Justice'. They had my transaction ID. Said they could get my money back but needed an 'advance fee' for their services. I was so desperate. I told my mom, and she said, 'Khalid, if they could get the money back, they'd take it from the recovered amount, not ask you for more.' She was right. I didn't pay. They were scammers. Block them immediately. You've been through enough.

Khalid Sheikh · Al Ain, UAEanswered 11d ago
6

Mate, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's a nightmare. I lost a similar amount a few months back to one of those crypto investment scams. Felt like the world ended. Then I got an email from someone claiming they could help recover it. They wanted an upfront 'tech fee'. I was so tempted, mate. So tempted. But my gut screamed 'scam'. I reported it to the BBB and the FTC anyway. They didn't get my money, but at least I tried to warn others. Stay strong, don't send them cash.

Grace Thompson · Gold Coast, Australiaanswered 11d ago
7

This is a common scam tactic. They find public blockchain data (like transaction hashes) to appear legitimate. Then they demand an upfront fee for recovery services. It's a secondary scam targeting victims of initial fraud. Legitimate recovery specialists, if they exist and are effective (which is rare for crypto), operate on a contingency fee basis – they take a cut *after* recovery. Do not pay the 'vault unlocking fee.' Report them to the FTC and your local authorities. Consider looking into Nethertrace.co; some people have had success with them for tracing lost crypto, though recovery is never guaranteed.

Emma Bergeron · Calgary, Canadaanswered 11d ago
5

Oh dear, that's awful. It's so hard when you're feeling vulnerable after a scam, and then these people show up. That 'unlocking fee' is the big, flashing red light here. They *always* ask for money upfront. It's a classic double-dip scam. They found your transaction because it's on the blockchain, which is public information! Please don't send them anything. Maybe consider reporting them to the authorities, even if it feels like a long shot. It helps build a case against them. You're not alone in this situation.

Ahmed Khan · Al Ain, UAEanswered 11d ago
6

Sounds like a classic scam. They use the publicly available transaction details to gain your trust, then ask for an upfront fee. It's a known tactic. I was targeted by a similar group after losing money on a fake ICO. They wanted a 'legal processing fee'. I spoke to a friend who works in cybersecurity, and he confirmed it was a scam. He advised me to report it to the FCA. They can't recover my funds directly but they do track these operations. Block and ignore this 'Reclaim Asset Solutions'.

Lina Dubois · Lyon, Franceanswered 11d ago
11

I fell for this. Not this exact company, but the same scam. Lost about $4k to a fake crypto exchange last year. Then 'Reclaim Asset Solutions' (or a company *very* similar) emailed me. Mentioned my lost coins, the exchange name, everything. Said I needed to pay a 'blockchain access fee'. I sent them $1500 USDT. Poof. Gone. Never heard from them again. They just took the money and vanished. Please, for the love of all that is holy, do NOT send them any money. You've been through enough already.

Aisha Iqbal · Dubai, UAEanswered 11d ago
7

This is a very common follow-on scam. The initial scammers sometimes even sell victim data to these 'recovery' specialists. The transaction hash is public on the blockchain, so they can easily find it. The 'vault unlocking fee' is the lure. They want you to pay again before they do anything. If you want to recover funds, your best bet is to report it to the relevant financial authorities like the FTC or even your local police, though I know that can be frustrating. Sometimes, services like Nethertrace.co can help trace funds, but even then, recovery is difficult and certainly not guaranteed by paying upfront fees.

Ethan Lavoie · Edmonton, Canadaanswered 11d ago
6

As someone who works in digital forensics, I can tell you this is 99.99% a scam. Transaction hashes are public ledger entries. They can see them. Anyone can. They use this 'information' to create a veneer of legitimacy. Then they hit you with an upfront fee. They are not recovering anything. They are just stealing more money. Report them to the FTC. It's the most reliable channel for these types of scams in the US, and they share information internationally. Don't pay them.

Emily Hughes · Leeds, United Kingdomanswered 11d ago
8

WARNING: This is absolutely a scam! They are called 'recovery scammers' and they prey on people who have already lost money. They find your transaction details on the blockchain (which is public) and use it to seem real. Then they ask for an upfront fee to 'unlock' your funds. They will never recover anything and will just steal the fee money. I got contacted by a similar company after losing money last year. My bank, Barclays, advised me to report it directly to Action Fraud in the UK. Please do not send them any money. You've been victimized once, don't let it happen again.

Michael Pillay · Port Elizabeth, South Africaanswered 11d ago
12

This is a classic secondary scam. The initial pig butchering is bad enough, but this 'recovery' service is almost certainly another layer of fraud. They get details about your scam case by purchasing data from dark web forums or even sometimes directly from the initial scammers. The transaction hash detail? Easily obtainable if they know what they're looking for. That 'unlocking fee' is the real prize for *them*. No legitimate recovery operation would ask for payment upfront like this, especially not in crypto. Report this new attempt to the FTC and also to your local authorities in Singapore, even if they were unhelpful before. They need to know about these follow-on scams.

Aisha Al Mansoori · Abu Dhabi, UAEanswered 11d ago
9

Oh man, i feel for you. I lost about 15k USD to a similar crypto scam last year. Was gutted. Then I got contacted by a company, I forget their name now, but they promised recovery too. They wanted a fee upfront. I was so desperate, I almost paid. My wife, bless her, talked me out of it. She said, 'If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it.' Turns out she was right. That company vanished. I ended up losing the whole lot. What helped me, eventually, was finding a few online communities where people shared tips on what *actually* works, not these fake recovery outfits. Keep talking to people here, you're not alone.

Ibrahim Al Qasimi · Ajman, UAEanswered 11d ago
7

Yeah, this 'Reclaim Asset Solutions' sounds super fishy. A 'cryptocurrency vault unlocking fee'? Never heard of such a thing. Usually, if there's any recovery process, it's a percentage of the *recovered* funds, not a prepayment. And how did they get your details? That's a big red flag. Scammers often share victim lists. I'd be very wary. Have you tried checking their company registration or looking for independent reviews on the BBB website or similar places? I doubt you'll find anything good.

Grace Harris · Adelaide, Australiaanswered 11d ago
6

I'm sorry to hear you went through that. The email from 'Reclaim Asset Solutions' honestly screams scam. That 'vault unlocking fee' is a classic move. They play on your desperation after the first scam. How would they even know about your specific transaction hash and wallet unless they were involved or got the data from the original scammers? It's highly unlikely. I would absolutely not send them any more money. If you want to explore recovery options, look for legitimate cybercrime units or, at the very least, companies that charge a success fee only *after* funds are returned. Even then, be cautious.

Lily Kruger · Pretoria, South Africaanswered 10d ago
10

DO NOT PAY THEM. Seriously. This is a secondary scam, and it's infuriatingly common. They got your details because they bought them or got them from the original scammers. The whole 'unlocking fee' is made up. The Singapore Police Force can't do much with crypto, I know, but reporting this *new* company to them and maybe the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is crucial. They track these kinds of scam operations. Don't let them get another cent from you. Stay strong.

Joshua Yeo · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 10d ago
7

That sounds way too much like a scam, I'm afraid. Losing money to crypto fraud is awful, and then getting targeted again must be soul-crushing. The fact they mentioned specific transaction details might just mean they found your case publicly reported somewhere or, more likely, they got that info from the original scam group. Companies that *actually* recover funds (and there are very few legitimate ones) typically work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they succeed, and it's a percentage of what they get back for you. A flat fee, especially in USDT, for 'unlocking' something? Big nope. Check with the FTC or your local consumer protection agency before even considering.

Jessica Anderson · Seattle, USAanswered 10d ago
9

This is exactly what happened to me. I lost about $10k in crypto last year, reported it, and then got an email from a 'recovery' firm. They wanted an upfront fee for 'legal processing'. I was so hopeful, I sent them the money, about $1,500. Never heard from them again. They took my money and disappeared. It felt like being punched in the gut all over again. I learned the hard way that if it sounds too good to be true, it absolutely is. Please, please don't send them that USDT. You're already a victim, don't become one twice.

Sophie Smith · Canberra, Australiaanswered 10d ago
5

Hang in there. It's completely understandable why you're feeling torn – that initial scam is a massive blow, and then seeing a potential lifeline, even if it comes with a fee, would make anyone pause. But based on what you've described, this 'Reclaim Asset Solutions' sounds incredibly suspicious. The upfront crypto fee for a supposed recovery is a massive red flag. Legitimate services might charge, but usually on a success basis *after* funds are returned, and not typically in advance crypto. Maybe try reaching out to the FCA or CFTC in the US for guidance on spotting these recovery scams. They have resources on their websites.

Daniel Sullivan · Belfast, Irelandanswered 10d ago

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