A company called 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' says they can get my scammed funds back, but asked for 'legal fees' upfront. Is this a recovery scam?

asked 28d ago20 views36 answers
0

Okay, so I was stupid and fell for a forex scam last year, lost about $10k. I reported it to the local police here in Singapore and also to Action Fraud in the UK because some of the transactions went through UK banks. Nothing really came of it. It's been tough, still trying to get back on my feet. Anyway, yesterday, I got an email from 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' saying they found my case through a "network of financial crime databases." They had a surprising amount of detail about my original scam, which freaked me out a little. They claim they can recover my funds, but they want an upfront payment of about $1,500 USD for "legal representation fees" and "international court document processing." They even sent me a fancy looking 'contract'. My partner thinks it's another scam preying on me, but a tiny part of me hopes it's real. Has anyone heard of them? Or is this just another trap?

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Action Fraud· trusted

36 Answers

47

Oh no, Joshua, this sounds exactly like a classic recovery scam. I've seen countless cases in my work here in Munich. The red flags are glaring: they contacted *you* out of the blue, they have specific details about your previous scam (which means the original scammers likely sold or shared your info), and most critically, they're asking for an upfront fee for 'legal representation' or 'document processing'.

Legitimate recovery services, especially highly reputable ones, rarely, if ever, ask for significant upfront fees like that. If they do, it's typically for actual legal costs once a case is established and they've genuinely assessed its viability, not as a blanket 'processing' fee before anything has even happened. Many work on a contingency basis, taking a percentage of recovered funds only if successful. The fact they sent a 'fancy' contract is meant to impress and lend false legitimacy. Please, please do not pay them. You will just lose more money. Report them to the local authorities alongside your original scam report. Stay strong!

Lina Bauer · Munich, Germanyanswered 28d ago
31

Oh honey, I'm so sorry you're going through this again. It's truly heartbreaking how these awful people target victims who are already down. Your partner is absolutely right – this sounds like a classic recovery scam. It's super common for the original scammers, or groups they're connected with, to sell your contact details to these 'recovery' firms. That's why they know your story. It's not because they're legitimate investigators; it's because you're on a 'sucker list,' as they call it, sadly.

Don't let them trick you into losing more. The moment they ask for money upfront before any recovery, it's a huge red flag. Focus on what you can control. You did the right thing by reporting to Action Fraud. Keep those records. Maybe reach out to a victim support group, sometimes just talking it through helps. Sending you strength from Montreal.

Sophia Gagne · Montreal, Canadaanswered 28d ago
22

100% scam, Joshua. Don't engage further. The way they know your story? That's the scariest part. It means the initial scammers likely still have your data and are either running this recovery scam themselves or selling your info to others. It's a common tactic where victims are targeted a second, third, or even fourth time. Anyone asking for an upfront fee for 'recovery' services, especially for things like 'international court document processing' (which often doesn't even exist), is just trying to get more money from you. Legit firms get paid *after* recovery, with a percentage. If you pay them, they'll simply disappear or ask for *another* fee, then another. Stay safe.

Samuel Tan · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 28d ago
17

Mate, I've been there, not quite crypto but lost a fair bit in a dodgy investment scheme. And yeah, I got contacted by a couple of these 'recovery' outfits. They sound so convincing, don't they? Especially when they mention details only 'they' should know. It plays right into that hope. But the upfront fee is the killer. Every single time I heard that, it turned out to be a waste of more money. Trust your gut and your partner. It's a hard lesson, but you've already lost funds; don't let them pilfer more from you now. It feels awful, I know, but cutting off contact is the best protection.

George Jones · Sheffield, United Kingdomanswered 28d ago
18

Non, non, non. This is a classic *arnaque à la récupération* – a recovery scam. Seriously, these groups are ruthless. They target people who are already financially vulnerable and desperate to get their money back. The fact that they have details about your original scam means you're on a list, plain and simple. The original scammers or their associates sell these lists. A legitimate firm wouldn't ask for a lump sum upfront for 'legal fees' or 'court documents' before even doing any real work. That's just a way to take more of your money. If you pay, they'll either vanish or come back asking for even more for 'taxes' or 'release fees'. Cut all contact immediately.

Lucas Leroy · Lille, Franceanswered 28d ago
12

Joshua, don't fall for it. It's just another scam. These 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' types are everywhere. They are parasites preying on vulnerable victims. I know someone who got scammed twice by these fake recovery agencies – first they lose money to the original scam, then they pay an 'upfront fee' hoping to get it back, and boom, more money gone. The promise of getting your money back is a powerful lure, especially when you're feeling desperate, but that's exactly what they bank on. Don't engage, don't click links, don't give them any more info about yourself. Your original report to Action Fraud is the correct path, even if it feels like nothing is happening.

Anna Muller · Dusseldorf, Germanyanswered 27d ago
15

This whole 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' thing sounds eerily similar to what happened to my cousin. He lost a big chunk in a crypto scam, then a couple months later, some company called 'MoneyBack Hero' contacted him, knew all the details, and said they could get his funds back for an 'activation fee'. He was so desperate, he almost paid them. Luckily, his wife stepped in and stopped him. Turns out, it was just another scam trying to get a second bite at the apple. Seriously, Joshua, if they ask for money *before* getting your money back, it's a scam. Full stop. Better to accept the loss than to dig yourself even deeper. It sucks, I know, but that's the harsh reality.

Samuel Ong · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 27d ago
28

Joshua, this is a very common iteration of the recovery scam. The scam ecosystem is insidious: once you're identified as a victim, your data can be sold to other criminal groups who then pose as recovery agents. The detailed information they have about your case is a major red flag, not a sign of legitimacy. It simply means your information was compromised during the first scam.

Key takeaway: *Never* pay an upfront fee to a company claiming they can recover lost funds, especially if they contacted you unsolicited. Legitimate legal or investigative services might require retainers, but they are transparent about their fees, operate under strict ethical guidelines, and generally don't cold-email victims based on 'financial crime databases'. Instead, they are usually sought out by the victim, have verifiable credentials, and explain their process clearly, often advising against upfront payments for recovery results. If you feel compelled to seek recovery, consult with a local, reputable solicitor or a consumer protection agency like the FTC, not an unsolicited email sender.

Andrew Walker · Houston, USAanswered 27d ago
19

Absolutely a scam, Joshua. Your partner is spot on. I've seen this pattern countless times. The 'network of financial crime databases' line? Pure fiction designed to make them sound official. And knowing your previous scam details? That's not proof they're legit; it's proof you're on a list of targeted individuals. These recovery scammers typically get these lists from the original scammers. They hook you with hope, then reel you in with a 'fee.' Once you pay that $1,500, they'll either disappear or come up with another 'urgent' fee for 'taxes' or 'bank transfers' or somesuch. It's a never-ending cycle designed to extract as much as possible from you. Cut ties immediately and block them.

David Martin · Denver, USAanswered 27d ago
35

As someone who's monitored these types of fraud schemes extensively for years, I can confirm with high certainty that 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' asking for upfront 'legal fees' is a textbook recovery scam. This tactic is extremely prevalent globally, often originating from jurisdictions with lax enforcement, making tracing and prosecution difficult. The initial scam likely identified you as susceptible, and your information, as others have pointed out, was either sold or circulated amongst other fraud networks.

Legitimate recovery processes are complex and often lengthy, usually involving law enforcement, financial institutions, and sometimes, actual litigation. They don't operate by simply paying a 'processing fee' to unlock your funds. If you're serious about pursuing recovery, your best bet remains through the official channels you've already engaged with (like Action Fraud) and seeking advice from accredited legal professionals in your jurisdiction or where the funds were transacted, not through unsolicited emails demanding payment. Do not send them any money whatsoever; it will only compound your loss.

Jessica Jones · Austin, USAanswered 27d ago
3

This has all the hallmarks of a recovery scam, unfortunately. 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' sounds very much like the types of operations I've investigated. Scammers prey on victims' hope. The mention of 'legal fees' upfront, especially when the initial report didn't yield results, is a massive red flag. They often mimic legitimate services and might even have convincing websites and contracts. The fact they got details about your initial scam? That's also a common tactic. They might have bought your contact info from the original scammers or other data brokers dealing in compromised user data.

If you want to actually try and recover funds, your best bet is usually through official channels and sometimes specialized, *regulated* financial recovery firms, but even then, be incredibly cautious. Never pay upfront for recovery services. A legitimate firm would typically take a percentage of the *recovered* funds, not demand fees beforehand. I'd recommend reporting *this* new outfit to the FTC if any transactions were US-based, or your local Singaporean authorities.

Ibrahim Ahmed · Al Ain, UAEanswered 27d ago
2

Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry you're going through this again. It's completely understandable that a part of you would want to believe this could be a way out. Losing that much money is devastating. Please, please be careful. That 'legal fees' upfront is a huge warning sign. They are designed to get that tiny spark of hope and inflate it into a full-blown payment. Remember how much you and your partner have already struggled. Don't let these people take more from you. Focus on healing and rebuilding, that's the most important 'reclaim' you can do right now.

Layla Khan · Al Ain, UAEanswered 27d ago
4

DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY. This is a classic follow-on scam. They find people who have already been victimized and hit them up with fake recovery services. 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' sounds suspiciously generic, and asking for upfront 'legal fees' is almost a guaranteed sign of a scam. They might have bought your details from the original fraudsters, or they get lists of victims from data breaches. The 'legal representation' and 'international court document processing' are just jargon designed to sound legit. The best advice here is to block them and ignore their emails. If you want to recover funds, go through official cybercrime reporting agencies like the FBI's IC3 or your local police, not these third-party 'solutions'.

Ava Johnson · Perth, Australiaanswered 27d ago
5

This sounds exactly like what happened to me after I lost money to a fake investment platform. I reported it, felt hopeless, and then this email came. 'Recovery services.' They asked for a big chunk upfront for 'processing fees.' My husband was furious and told me to hang up immediately. I was so tempted because $5k felt like a lot for that initial scam, and I had another $2k into this 'recovery' nonsense before I realized. It was gone. Please, friend, don't make the same mistake I did. That money for 'fees' is likely gone forever. So sorry you're in this spot.

Grace Tay · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 27d ago
3

As someone who deals with financial fraud cases, I can tell you that the scenario described is incredibly common. Cybercriminals often recycle victim data. Once you're on a list, you become a target for these secondary scams. 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' – I haven't heard of them specifically, but their MO is identical to numerous other fraudulent 'recovery firms.' The upfront payment for legal fees is the universal tell. Real recovery agencies, if they exist with any legitimacy, operate on contingency or a percentage of *successful* recovery, and even then, they're rare and heavily regulated. The details they have might seem uncanny, but it's likely they acquired it through illicit channels. Cut contact immediately. If you're looking for official help, your best bet remains the Singapore Police Force cybercrime unit or equivalent agencies in the jurisdictions where transactions occurred.

Daniel Burke · Limerick, Irelandanswered 27d ago
3

Yeah, this is a textbook recovery scam. They look for people who have already lost money and then hit them with a new pitch promising the impossible. Asking for money upfront, especially for 'legal fees,' is the biggest red flag there is. They are preying on your desperation. I worked with a victim here whose spouse fell for one of these 'reclaim' scams after losing money to a crypto rug pull. They ended up losing an additional $2,000. It's brutal. Block them. Ignore them. Don't give them another cent. The police and agencies like the FTC are the only legitimate avenues, and they rarely recover funds directly unless it's part of a larger bust.

Steven Miller · Philadelphia, USAanswered 27d ago
2

Oh no, that sounds incredibly stressful on top of what you've already gone through. It's so easy to get caught by these promises when you're feeling down. My cousin once lost a lot of money to a scam and then got contacted by a company that promised to get it back, asking for upfront fees. She was so excited, but her brother, who is a bit of a techie, looked them up and found lots of warnings. She didn't send the money, thankfully. Please be super careful. Your partner is right to be suspicious. Lean on their support. Hope things get better for you soon.

Thabo du Plessis · Bloemfontein, South Africaanswered 27d ago
4

I've encountered this specific type of scam operation many times in my work. These 'recovery firms' are almost universally fraudulent. They gain traction by exploiting the emotional vulnerability of scam victims. The details they possessed about your case are likely obtained from data brokers who trade in information about victims of financial crimes, or sometimes even directly from the original scammers. The demand for upfront payment, particularly labelled as 'legal fees' or 'processing costs,' is their primary revenue stream. They are incentivized to take your money and disappear, not to actually recover anything for you. The fact that they sent a contract is a common tactic to build false credibility. My advice? Cease all communication. If you want to report them, consider the relevant consumer protection agency or financial conduct authority in their stated country of operation or your own.

Lea Martin · Nantes, Franceanswered 27d ago
4

Been there. So, so sorry. I lost about $7k to a fake tech support thing years ago, and then got hit with a similar 'recovery' scam which wanted $1k upfront. My initial thought was 'OMG a way out!' but my best friend talked me down. He basically said 'If it sounds too good to be true, it *is*.' He helped me look them up online and yeah, tons of people saying it was BS. Didn't send them the money. It's a horrible feeling to be targeted again when you're already down. Stay strong, and trust your gut (and your partner!). You're not alone.

Lauren Allen · Houston, USAanswered 27d ago
5

Mate, my neighbour went through this exact same thing. Lost a good chunk to an online share scam, then got an email from a place claiming they could get it back. They wanted $1200 upfront for 'admin and legal costs'. Sounded legit, even had a slick website. He paid it. Weeks went by, heard nothing. When he chased them, the website was gone, emails bounced back. Total scam. He was devastated, not just about the original loss, but losing that extra chunk too. He said if he'd just ignored it, he'd be $1200 better off. Report this new lot to Action Fraud, even if they're not UK-based, they might cooperate. Don't pay them a cent.

Henry Taylor · Brisbane, Australiaanswered 27d ago
4

This is so familiar it makes my stomach turn. I was contacted by a group called 'Action Refund' after I lost money in a phishing scam. They had all my details, knew exactly how much I lost. They said they could get it back and wanted a 'processing fee' of $500. I was so desperate. I almost paid. Thank god my sister stopped me. She Googled them and found out they were scammers too. They’re just preying on broken people. Don’t give them any money. What's left of ours is all we have.

Naledi Coetzee · Johannesburg, South Africaanswered 27d ago
4

This is extremely worrying. 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' sounds like a phantom company designed to sound official. The upfront payment for 'legal fees' is the oldest trick in the book for recovery scams. They count on victims being hesitant to report them for fear of looking foolish or because they're embarrassed. The fact they obtained details about your original scam is concerning; it suggests a link to the original scammers or that they buy victim lists. Never, ever pay upfront for recovery services. If you want to pursue this, your best bet is to report this new scam attempt to the authorities where you are, and potentially to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (FBI IC3) if any part of the communication or their purported operations involve the US. This is crucial to help others.

Charlotte Williams · Edinburgh, United Kingdomanswered 27d ago
2

Oh, that must be so disheartening to get contacted by someone like that. You finally think there might be a way to get your money back and then… it’s another scam attempt. My aunt got targeted by a similar outfit after she lost money to a romance scammer. They called themselves 'Funds Recovery Group' and wanted about £800 upfront. She was so close to paying it, but my dad stepped in. He told her to just ignore them. It’s awful that these people exist. Sending you strength. Focus on what you *can* control, maybe look into financial counselling?

Xin Lau · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 27d ago
3

This is a classic secondary scam, often referred to as 'recovery fraud.' The perpetrators are usually sophisticated and obtain victim details from various sources, including data breaches or even through cooperation with the original scammers. The key indicators here are: 1. Contact after a significant period, suggesting they identified you as a victim. 2. Demand for upfront fees (legal, administrative, processing) for recovery services. Legitimate recovery operations, if they exist, typically work on a contingency basis, taking a percentage only upon successful recovery. 3. Seemingly detailed knowledge of your original case, which is unsettling but common in these schemes. I strongly advise you to cease all communication with 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' and report their details to the relevant consumer protection agencies or law enforcement in Singapore. Your initial reports to police and Action Fraud were correct steps.

Yusuf Al Mansoori · Ajman, UAEanswered 27d ago
3

I fell for one of these. Lost $500 to a place called 'Payback Ltd' after a fake job posting scam. They promised to get my money back and wanted $100 upfront for 'insurance.' I was so desperate for that $500, I paid it. Then they ghosted me. Total loss. It still stings. I hope you don't go through that. Your partner is right. It's another scam. Stay away.

Sophie Lynch · Limerick, Irelandanswered 27d ago
3

Ugh, I know exactly how you feel. That flicker of hope when you think someone can actually help you get your money back... it's so hard to resist. I got an email from 'MoneyBack Hero' after I lost my savings to some Ponzi scheme. They said they specialized in retrieving scammed funds and wanted $1,000 for 'legal filing costs.' I was so tempted, I even drafted the transfer. But then I thought about my original scammer, how they promised the moon and delivered nothing. I realised this was no different. I didn't pay. I'm still broke, but at least I didn't lose more. Please, please don't pay them.

Louis Moreau · Strasbourg, Franceanswered 27d ago
4

This is incredibly frustrating. After I lost about £8k to a forex scam operated out of Eastern Europe, I too was contacted by several 'recovery' firms. One, which I won't name but sounded very professional, wanted £1,500 upfront for 'international asset tracing.' It felt so real. They sent me a contract and everything. It was only when I spoke to a fraud investigator at my bank (Halifax, if anyone's interested) that they confirmed it was almost certainly a scam. He basically said that legitimate recovery agents take a percentage of what they actually recover *if* they recover anything, not upfront fees for 'legal work' that probably doesn't even exist. He recommended I report the recovery firm itself to Action Fraud, which I did. They just wanted my money again. Don't fall for it.

Daniel Hughes · Cardiff, United Kingdomanswered 27d ago
3

That's a brutal position to be in, mate. It's the worst kind of predator who targets people who have already been victimized. These 'Reclaim Solutions' type companies are almost always fake. The fancy contract and the details they have are designed to make you believe they're legit. They want that upfront payment. My own dad lost about $5,000 to one of these recovery scams after getting duped by a fake investment platform. He was so embarrassed afterwards. The best advice? Block them and ignore. If you want to recover anything, it's through official channels, and honestly, chances are slim once the money's gone.

Daniel Murphy · Belfast, Irelandanswered 27d ago
3

This is *exactly* what happened to my friend last year. She lost a significant amount on what she thought was a crypto investment, then got an email from a company promising to get her money back. They asked for $2,000 upfront for 'legal and administrative costs.' She was heartbroken and almost paid it, but her brother checked their company registration details (or tried to!) and found nothing concrete. It turned out to be a dead end. They are absolute vultures, preying on hope. Please, please do not send them any money. Keep all communication with them documented just in case, but do not engage financially.

Layla Al Nahyan · Dubai, UAEanswered 27d ago
3

This sounds very much like a scam. I've seen countless people fall for these 'recovery' services after being victimized. They operate by identifying individuals who have already lost money and then offering a false sense of hope. The demand for upfront payment, especially for 'legal fees,' is the biggest red flag. Legitimate recovery efforts rarely, if ever, require upfront payment; they usually operate on a success fee basis. The fact that they had details about your original scam is concerning, but unfortunately, victim data is often traded on the dark web. My advice is to immediately cease all contact with 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' and report this new scam attempt to the Singaporean authorities. Consider also reporting to IC3 if any part of the operation seems to target people in the US.

Emma Laurent · Toulouse, Franceanswered 27d ago
6

Ugh, that sounds incredibly stressful. I'm sorry you're going through this. "Reclaim Solutions Inc." sounds super suspicious, especially asking for money upfront. Most legitimate recovery efforts, if they even exist in such cases, work on a contingency basis – meaning they only get paid if they *actually* recover funds for you, and usually it's a percentage of what's returned. Charging upfront legal fees for a guaranteed recovery? That's a massive red flag, straight out of the recovery scam playbook. Sometimes these scammers get details from data breaches, so don't be too freaked out by their knowledge. Stay strong and definitely don't send them any money.

Thomas Hoffmann · Cologne, Germanyanswered 27d ago
5

Ah mate, that sounds like a real kicker. Losing money is bad enough, but then having these vultures circle… nah. Did you try reaching out to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)? They might not recover funds directly for individual cases like this, but they collect data on these scams and can issue warnings. Always worth a shot, esp. since Reclaim Solutions sounds like it's hitting all the usual scam notes. "Legal fees upfront" is a classic. Stay safe, brother.

Hassan Khan · Dubai, UAEanswered 27d ago
7

Yep, definitely a scam. I've seen this exact same setup before. They prey on people who’ve lost money and are desperate. The "detailed information" about your original scam? They likely bought that data on the dark web or got it from another scammer. It’s just to build false trust. The "legal fees" and "contract" are pure theatre. They want your money and you'll never see it again, nor will they recover your original lost funds. The only thing you *might* get back is another loss. Report them to the FTC if they have any US links, too. They collect similar data to Action Fraud.

William Anderson · Newcastle, Australiaanswered 27d ago
9

I… i think I got an email from them too a few months ago. After losing my savings to something similar last year, it felt like a cruel joke. They knew about the company I invested in and even mentioned the platform name. I didn't pay, obviously. My husband told me off for even opening the email. But it really hurt, seeing someone trying to profit from my misery like that. It's like they're watching, waiting for people to be at their lowest. It's good you're asking here; I wish I'd had this community then.

Samuel Tan · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 27d ago
6

This pattern is unfortunately very common in the 'recovery room' scam ecosystem. Entities like 'Reclaim Solutions Inc.' are almost certainly fraudulent. They prey on individuals who have already been victimized, leveraging the emotional distress and desperation to extract further funds. The upfront 'legal fees' are the primary indicator. Legitimate asset recovery firms, which are themselves rare and often highly specialized, typically operate on a success fee basis (a percentage of funds recovered) and *never* demand advance payment for 'legal' services. They often do not even require an initial fee. You can often find these scam operations listed on watchdog sites or mentioned in warnings from regulatory bodies like the FBI's IC3.

Key Red Flag:

  • Upfront payment for recovery services.
Leon Richter · Stuttgart, Germanyanswered 27d ago
3

Oh gosh, reading your post made me feel sick. I'm so sorry. It's like they know exactly what buttons to push, right? "Reclaim Solutions"… sounds so legit, doesn't it? Exactly the kind of name you'd hope would help. I lost a bunch of money last year too, and I remember getting a similar email after I'd reported it. Almost clicked on it. Thankfully, my sister saw the email first and just shut me down. "Too good to be true," she said. She's usually right about these things. I hate that these people exist.

Aisha Khan · Dubai, UAEanswered 27d ago

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