Is 'Refund Solutions Group' asking for a 'customs duty fee' legit to get my crypto back?

Eva, I'm really sorry this is happening to you. This is a classic recovery scam tactic, almost a textbook example. Any legitimate recovery service, especially those dealing with law enforcement or regulatory bodies, will *never* ask you for an upfront 'customs duty fee' or any type of fee to 'release' your funds. They just don't operate that way. They get paid *after* successful recovery, usually as a percentage.

The fact they knew details about your original scam is alarming and a huge red flag – it often means the original scammers sold your info to these secondary scammers, or they are, in fact, the *same* scammers working under a new name. They use that information to gain your trust. Please, do not pay them anything. You'll just be losing more money. Report this to your local police and consider reaching out to a consumer protection agency like the FTC or your equivalent in the Netherlands. The FBI IC3 is also a good resource for cybercrime.

Oh god, Eva, this immediately rang alarm bells for me. I fell for exactly this a couple of years ago after losing a chunk to a forex scam. Some 'firm' called 'Funds Recovery Group' (wish I'd known about them then) contacted me, saying they'd tracked my money. They wanted a 'tax clearance fee' to release it from some bank in Malta. I was so desperate, I paid it! Then they wanted an 'anti-money laundering' fee. I finally wised up after losing another £2k. It's a cruel trick because they prey on your hope. Don't fall for it like I did. They won't give you your crypto back, they'll just keep inventing new fees. It's truly rubbish what they do.

Nee man, this sounds like absolute rubbish. That 'customs duty fee' is a made-up charge. Scammers thrive on people's desperation, and the fact they knew about your first scam means you're being targeted again. They'll keep asking for more money: 'release fees,' 'tax fees,' 'legal fees,' you name it. It's a bottomless pit. Don't send one cent. Cut off all communication with them. There's no such thing as paying a fee to get your own money back from legitimate channels like that. Your partner is spot on – it's another scam. Report them to your authorities.

Eva, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's completely understandable to feel desperate. But please, please don't pay that fee. This is exactly how they drain people dry. The fact they knew details about your previous scam means you're on a 'sucker list' they've either bought or created. Real recovery agencies or lawyers work on contingency or a clear, upfront fee for *their actual services*, not some bizarre 'customs duty' for *your own* money. It's designed to sound official and scare you into paying. You're not alone, many people fall for this second layer of fraud.

As someone who deals with financial fraud cases here in Germany, I can confirm this is a classic recovery scam, Eva. The 'customs duty fee' is a fictional charge. Legitimate asset recovery processes, especially for crypto, involve detailed legal work, not paying arbitrary fees to release funds from some phantom 'offshore account.' If a real agency has genuinely traced and recovered your funds, they would be held by a trustee or an official entity, and any *actual* legal or administrative costs would be deducted from the recovered amount upon release, or billed transparently. The demand for an *upfront* payment to unlock your own money is the key red flag here. Disengage immediately. You've already been hurt once, don't let them do it again.

Ugh, Eva, this is so frustrating to hear, but your gut feeling is right. It's another scam. They're preying on your vulnerability after the initial loss. No real agency would ask for a 'customs duty' to release your *own* funds. That's just not how it works, especially for crypto. They know you're hopeful, so they throw in all these official-sounding terms to confuse you. Your money isn't sitting in customs waiting for a fee. It's a trick to get more money out of you. Block them and try to move on. Getting scammed twice would be utterly devastating.

Bonjour Eva, it is sadly very common. I know a few people here in France who fell for similar things after losing money in fake investments. The promise of getting your money back is so strong, it makes you overlook the red flags. But a 'customs duty fee' for your own crypto is a huge red flag. It implies your recovered funds are like some imported goods stuck at a border, which is just not how digital assets or recovery processes work. Do not pay. Ce sont des escrocs. Report them, but don't expect to get your funds from *them*.

Look, with all do respect, anyone asking for an upfront fee — especially some nebulous 'customs duty' or 'release fee' — to get *your* money back is almost certainly running a scam. It's classic boiler room stuff, just online now. They've either bought your info from the original scammers or they *are* the original scammers with a new name. Your initial $8k is probably gone, sorry to say. Don't throw good money after bad. Block these guys. Don't engage. There's no magic button or special fee that brings your crypto back.

Eva, I wish I'd seen something like this before. i got caught by a similar thing, lost a bunch to a property scam, then some firm ('Wealth Recovery International') contacted me. They wanted a 'clearance fee' to release my supposedly recovered funds from a 'holding account' in Cyprus. I paid it, then they wanted a 'tax certificate fee'. i ended up losing another 4k USD on top of the initial scam money. it was a painful lesson. that 'customs duty fee' is just the first step in them draining you further. please don't make the same mistake i did. it's truly heartbreaking to be scammed twice.

This whole 'customs duty fee' thing, Eva, is a complete fabrication. There's no such legitimate charge to recover your own crypto that's been scammed. Recovery scams specifically target people like you who've already lost money, knowing you're vulnerable and desperate. The detail they have about your first scam is probably from the scammer's 'sucker list' they sell to other fraudsters. They'll string you along with one fee after another until you either run out of money or finally realise what's happening. Your best bet is to report everything to the Netherlands Police and potentially reach out to ASIC in Australia if the original scam had any connection there, but definitely don't send 'Refund Solutions Group' another cent.

Oh, that sounds terrifying. I’m so sorry you’re going through this.

Honestly, red flags are waving like crazy here. ‘Refund Solutions Group’ asking for *more* money, especially for a ‘customs duty fee’ on crypto? That just screams scam. They’re likely trying to squeeze more out of you after you’ve already been hit.

When I lost money last year, I thought I was past it too, but then I got contacted by some similar outfit. They also wanted a 'processing fee' before they 'released' my funds. Guess what? The funds never materialized. Total con. Don't send them another cent.

Hai, it’s Levi from Tilburg here. I see you’re from Eindhoven, not too far. I’m really sorry to hear about the scam, that’s a tough situation to be in.

My advice? Be super careful. These groups that promise to recover money after you've been scammed often turn out to be secondary scams. They prey on that desperation you mentioned. The 'customs duty fee' sounds like a classic deflection tactic to get you to pay again. Real recovery processes usually don't involve upfront fees like that, especially not for 'customs'.

If you want to pursue actual recovery options, maybe look into reporting it to the FBI's IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center), even if you're in Europe. They have international connections and might be able to guide you. Just a thought.

My initial thought is; why would they need a 'customs duty fee' for crypto? Crypto is digital. It doesn't pass through physical borders or customs. That explanation doesn't make any sense at all, even if it's 'offshore'. I've dealt with international transfers for legitimate business here in Dubai, and the fees are always about bank charges, currency conversion, or taxes—not 'customs' on digital assets.

They *knew* details about your scam? That's concerning, but also a tactic. Scammers often gather info from breached databases or previous interactions. Don't let the professional tone or recovered details fool you. This smells like another grab for your money.

I have to echo the skepticism here. Germany has strict financial regulations, and I’ve never heard of such a ‘customs duty fee’ for recovering digital assets. It sounds like a completely fabricated charge designed to extract more funds from you. If they had genuinely recovered your crypto, they could deduct their fee or work through a proper escrow service, not demand an upfront ‘customs’ payment.

These recovery scammers are sophisticated. They build a narrative using bits of information they find about you. It’s designed to build false hope. My advice: Stop all contact, do not send them any more money.

Crikey, that sounds rough mate. Being scammed is bad enough, but then getting dangled a carrot only to be asked for more money? That’s just adding insult to injury.

I reckon your partner is spot on. This ‘customs duty’ thing sounds like a load of rubbish, especially for crypto. It’s like charging a tax on air. They’re probably just making it up as they go to see how much more they can milk you for.

Don't give them any more cash. It might be tough, but sometimes you have to cut your losses when it smells this fishy. The emotional toll must be huge, hang in there.

This scenario is unfortunately quite common. The recovery room is often populated by the same bad actors who orchestrated the initial scam, or others who’ve identified a victim. Their methods are designed to exploit the emotional state of someone who has lost significant funds.

The mention of 'customs duty fees' for crypto is nonsensical. Digital assets don't incur customs duties. This is a fabricated fee. They may also mention ‘blockchain processing fees’, ‘legal release fees’, or ‘escrow fees’. Any upfront fee requested by a self-proclaimed recovery company should be treated with extreme suspicion.

Consider reporting this new interaction to the FTC in the US, or your local equivalent. They track these patterns. Also, if you initially reported the scam to your local police or an agency like the FCA or CFTC, they might have insights, though direct recovery assistance is rare. Stay firm, do not pay.

This sounds very much like a common scam variation. They use details they've already obtained (sometimes from previous breaches or even just educated guesses) to appear legitimate. The 'customs duty fee' for crypto is a massive red flag. Digital assets don't get 'customs cleared.' It's a made-up fee to get you to pay again.

It's painful when you're desperate, but paying this fee will almost certainly not result in getting your original crypto back. It's just more money lost. You are right to be suspicious. Trust your gut.

I fell for something similar. Lost about 6k Euros last year to a fake investment platform. About three months later, I got contacted by a company claiming they'd traced the money. Gave me some details, same as you. They wanted a 'compliance fee' to release funds. I paid it. Then they wanted another 'transfer fee'. I paid that too.

Long story short, I never saw a cent. They just kept coming up with new fees. It's been a year now, and I've only lost more money. This 'Refund Solutions Group' sounds exactly like them. Cut your losses now, dude. Don't send them any more money. It's gut-wrenching, I know, but trying to get it back from *them* will just make you lose more.

From a Singaporean perspective, the request for a 'customs duty fee' on cryptocurrency is highly unusual and suspect. Our Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) regulates financial services, and such fees for digital assets are not standard procedure for fund recovery. While international transfers have associated costs, they are typically bank service charges or currency exchange fees, not customs duties.

The fact that they knew details about your original scam could simply mean they are using publicly available information or information from data leaks. Recovery specialists, if legitimate, typically operate transparently and don't demand upfront fees for phantom customs processes. I strongly advise against sending any more funds.

I was in your shoes, I know that feeling. Losing money to a scam is devastating. Then you get these calls, these emails… and they sound so legit. They mention things that only *you* would know, or things from the original scam. It feels like a miracle is happening.

For me, it was about 7 months after I lost my savings. A company called ‘Funds Recovery Group’ contacted me. Wanted an 'advance fee' for international transfer taxes. I was so close to paying it. So, so close. My wife stopped me. She said, ‘If they had the money, why would they need *your* money to send it?’ That logic hit me.

I ended up reporting them to the BBB. They were listed as a scam. I’m now working with a proper entity called Nethertrace.co, they’re helping me explore options without asking for money upfront for bogus fees. It’s slow, but it feels… real. Don’t pay them.

Absolutely not legit. This is a classic secondary scam. They build a story, make you hopeful, and then hit you with a fee that sounds vaguely plausible if you don't think about it too hard. Crypto doesn't have customs duties. There's no 'offshore account' that requires a customs payment to release digital funds.

If you want to take action, report this interaction to your national police's cybercrime unit. Don't engage further with 'Refund Solutions Group.' They are likely just scammers taking advantage of your situation.

Dear community,

I am experiencing exactly this. I was scammed out of 5,000 Euros last year. A few weeks ago, I was contacted by ‘Refund Solutions Group’. They knew details about my scam, which I thought was reassuring. They then asked me to pay a $2000 administrative fee for the release of my funds from an 'international holding account'. I have paid 500 Euros so far, thinking it was a small price to get my money back.

Now they are asking for another 1500 Euros. I am from Rotterdam and I have contacted the Dutch police, but they said they cannot help with international recovery. This has been incredibly stressful. I told them I needed to speak to my partner and they got aggressive. I feel so stupid for having paid anything.

This screams scam. I’ve seen this pattern so many times. They gain your trust with recovered details, then invent a fee. ‘Customs duty fee’ for crypto? That’s absurd. Crypto is digital, it bypasses physical borders and any notion of customs. It’s a made-up charge.

Don’t pay them. They are not recovering anything; they are trying to scam you again. Your partner is right to be suspicious. Focus on reporting them if you can, rather than engaging.

Oh mate, I feel for you. I was scammed out of £10k last year. It felt like the world ended. Then I got contacted by a company, I think they called themselves 'Wealth Recovery International' or something similar. They knew stuff, sounded legit. Asked me for a fee, 'international transfer tax', they called it. I almost paid it.

But then I remembered reading about these recovery scams. They're just preying on desperate people. I spoke to my dad, and he said, 'If they've got your money, why do *you* need to pay to get it?' It made sense. I didn't pay. I never heard from them again. I'm still gutted about the lost £10k, but at least I didn't lose more to these vultures. Stick to your gut. Your partner is right.

This is a classic recovery scam designed to trap you. The 'customs duty fee' for cryptocurrency is a fabrication. There are no customs duties on cryptocurrency transfers, especially not from an 'offshore account.' If the funds were recovered, they would typically be released directly or through a legitimate escrow service with clear terms, not arbitrary fees.

They leverage the details they acquired (likely from data breaches or previous scam interactions) to gain your trust. Do not send any more money. If you wish to pursue legitimate avenues, consider reporting the initial scam to the FBI's IC3 and this new interaction to consumer protection agencies like the FTC.

Definitely a scam. I’ve seen this happen to friends. They get contacted by a recovery company after losing money, and the company asks for an upfront fee. Sometimes it's a 'legal fee,' sometimes a 'banking fee,' and in your case, a 'customs duty fee.' It's basically a way to get you to pay them again.

Why would crypto need a customs duty? It makes no sense. They are just inventing nonsense to see how much they can fleece you for. Cut off contact. Please.

I lost nearly $15k to a crypto scam about 8 months ago. Was devastated. Then, about two months ago, I got an email from a firm saying they'd located my funds and could get them back. They knew the exact amount and the exchange I used. Sounded incredibly promising. They wanted me to pay a $3,000 'international wire fee' to release my funds from a third-party vault. I was *so* tempted.

My husband thankfully talked me out of it. He said if they really had my money, they'd just deduct their fee from it. He convinced me to look up the company. Turns out they were notorious scammers. I’m still heartbroken about the money, but I’m so grateful I didn’t pay them more. This 'customs duty' sounds like the same scam. Seriously, don't pay it.

This is a very common type of advance-fee fraud. The ‘Refund Solutions Group’ is likely not a legitimate recovery service. Asking for a ‘customs duty fee’ on cryptocurrency is a significant red flag because cryptocurrency transactions do not incur customs duties. They are digital assets and do not pass through physical borders in a way that would trigger such a fee.

It’s crucial to understand that legitimate recovery services, if they exist at all for crypto scams, typically operate on a contingency basis (taking a percentage of what they *successfully* recover) or via a formal legal process, not by demanding upfront fees for fabricated charges. Report this company to relevant authorities like the FCA (if they falsely claim UK regulation) or your national financial regulator. Never pay upfront fees to recovery scammers.

Oh no, that sounds absolutely awful. I'm so sorry you're in this situation. That feeling of desperation when you've lost so much money is just crushing, and it makes you vulnerable to these types of follow-up scams.

Your instincts are spot on. The 'customs duty fee' for crypto is a complete fabrication. There's no such thing. These scammers thrive on creating fake obstacles and fees to extract more money from victims. They use details from the original scam to make themselves seem credible, but it's all part of the act.

It’s really important to cut contact with them immediately. Don't send any more money. If you want to explore genuine reporting avenues, you could check if Nethertrace.co offers any free initial consultations or information, as sometimes they can guide victims without asking for money upfront. But seriously, don't pay Refund Solutions Group another euro.

Warning! This is a textbook recovery scam. They are scammers who prey on people who have already been victimized. The 'Refund Solutions Group' is likely fake. The 'customs duty fee' is a complete lie. Crypto is digital and has no customs. This is how they get more money from you.

Do not pay them. Report them to the FTC (US Federal Trade Commission) or your country's equivalent. They track these scams and try to shut them down. You lost money once, don't lose more to these vultures.

This has all the hallmarks of a classic 'recovery scam.' The initial contact knowing details is often a further tactic to gain your trust. The 'customs duty fee' is a huge red flag – legitimate recovery services don't typically operate by demanding upfront fees like this, especially for customs duties on crypto. They often work on a contingency basis, meaning they take a percentage *after* the funds are recovered. I'd strongly advise against paying anything further. Report this to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) even if you're not in the US; they work internationally. This helps them track these operations.

Oh man, been there. Lost about 5 grand USD last year to something similar. Got contacted by a company that *swore* they could get it back. They wanted a 'processing fee' first. Guess what? Gone again. My wife was furious with me, and I felt like such an idiot. It’s a total scam trying to prey on your desperation. Don't send them another cent. It hurts like hell, but you have to accept that money is probably gone. Focus on learning from it and shutting down your accounts from the original scam.

STOP. Just stop. Please do not send any more money. This is a known scam pattern. They trace you, gain your trust, and then invent fees for fictitious obstacles. 'Customs duty' for crypto? That makes zero sense. If they recovered your funds legitimately, they'd deduct their fee from the recovered amount, not ask for upfront cash. They specifically target people in your situation who are desperate. The fact that they know details about your original scam is just social engineering. Save yourself further heartache and loss.

Mate, I fell for something SO similar. Like, spot on. They had some of my details too, that's how they suck you in. Then came the 'international transfer fee' and a 'compliance charge.' Paid about $3k AUD all up. Then poof. Silence. It’s heartbreaking and you feel so stupid, but please, PLEASE learn from my mistake. Don't pay them. It's a double-scam. They take your money twice. My partner said the same thing about mine, and she was right. Cut your losses now.

This situation sounds incredibly familiar and is a textbook fraud. The 'Refund Solutions Group' is likely a fake entity, just like others who use similar names (e.g., Funds Recovery Group). Their knowledge of your original scam is likely from data breaches or prior scam networks. The request for a 'customs duty fee' for crypto is nonsensical and a common trick to extract more money from victims. It's crucial you do NOT pay. If anything, report them to the UAE's financial intelligence unit if you find any transactional details, though international cooperation is slow.

Oh, this is bad. Feels like a scam, doesn't it? Because it is. The setup is classic: they gain your trust, maybe even show you some fake dashboard with your 'recovered' funds, then hit you with a fee that sounds 'official' but is actually just to fleece you again. 'Customs duty' for crypto? That's the punchline. There's no such thing in legitimate recovery. I'd report this to the South African Reserve Bank's Financial Surveillance Department, though they might not be able to do much directly. It's about building a case against these criminals.

Hang in there. I lost $7k last year from a pig butchering scam and then got hit with recovery scams. One tried to charge me an 'escrow fee.' The key is that legitimate recovery agents, if your funds are even traceable, usually work on a contingent fee taken *from* the recovered funds. They don't ask for money upfront for 'fees' or 'duties.' My brother-in-law, who works in finance, told me flat out: 'If they want money before they give you money, it's a scam.' He was right. I reported mine to the FBI IC3, and while I never got my money back, it felt like taking *some* action.

This is disheartening to read. The 'customs duty' angle is a known tactic. They invent these fees to make it seem like a legitimate, unavoidable expense related to international money movement. The truth is, crypto transactions, especially across borders, don't involve customs duties in this manner. The fact that 'Refund Solutions Group' knew details about your original scam is a huge red flag, likely obtained from the same compromised sources as the initial scammers. Please do not pay them. You can report this to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) online.

As someone who has looked into this space extensively – this is a predatory scam. Recovery scams are rampant and often target victims of crypto fraud. The entities you're dealing with are almost certainly fake. The 'customs duty fee' is a fabrication. Legitimate asset recovery firms operate differently, usually on a commission basis *after* successful recovery, and they are typically regulated. In Europe, look into your national regulator, like BaFin here in Germany, or even national police cybercrime units. Nethertrace.co sometimes has info on new scam patterns too.

Oh wow, that sounds incredibly stressful. I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's completely understandable why you'd hope for a recovery, especially after losing so much. It takes a lot to even acknowledge the initial scam, so you're already being brave. I don't have experience with them directly, but everything you're describing sounds like a classic setup. Keep your head up, and trust your partner's instincts here. Sometimes just venting on a forum like this helps process it, even if the news isn't what you want to hear.

This happened to me. Exactly like this. I was so desperate, paid almost R20k ZAR for a 'release fee' after I was scammed out of BTC. They promised the world. Next thing I know, my calls are ignored, emails are bounced. Just dust. It's the worst feeling, like you're being kicked when you're already down. So please, please don't pay them any more money. The initial scam is bad enough, don't let them rob you twice. Report them to the little details you have to the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) here in SA.

Hold up. Reading this, my BS alarm is going off like crazy. A 'customs duty fee' for crypto? That concept is fundamentally flawed. Crypto assets aren't physical goods crossing borders that attract traditional customs tariffs. This is a sign of a fraudulent operation designed to extract more funds. These 'recovery companies' often gain information about your initial scam from data brokers or by having members who work in separate scam rings. Don't pay. If you're in Australia, you can make a report to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) website.

Sounds like a very common recovery scam tactic. They create a sense of urgency and legitimacy by mentioning complex international procedures. The reality is that recovering stolen crypto is incredibly difficult, and anyone promising guaranteed recovery, especially after demanding upfront fees, is likely defrauding you. No legitimate law enforcement or recovery agency will ask for 'customs duty' on crypto. Check the ASIC register if they claim to be registered in Australia, but honestly, these names are usually fabricated. Trust your gut and your partner.

I'm so sorry you're in this situation. It's awful to lose money like that, and even worse when you think you're getting it back only to face another hurdle. My advice, based on hearing many stories like yours, is to be extremely wary. The recovery process for crypto is complex and often doesn't result in full returns. Requests for upfront 'fees' are a major red flag. Perhaps look into reporting it to the relevant authorities in the Netherlands, like the AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten), even if they can't recover the funds, it adds to their intelligence.

Wow, this echoes my experience exactly. I was scammed out of $10k USD last year. A few months later, a 'recovery firm' contacted me. They had my name and the original scam details. They asked for a $2k 'legalisation fee' to release my funds. Of course, no funds ever appeared. It's a brutal second hit. They feed on your hope. Cut contact. Do not pay. The money is gone. I know it’s devastating, but paying them again means you'll have even less. You are not alone in this.

Double-check the company name. Many scam groups use very similar names, like 'Funds Recovery Group' or variations of your 'Refund Solutions Group'. They often buy lists of scam victims. The 'customs duty fee' is a classic delaying tactic and money grab. For international financial crime, the FBI's IC3 is indeed a good starting point, even for non-US residents, as they coordinate with global agencies. Also, check if there's a specific financial crime unit within the Dutch police (Politie) that handles online fraud.

This is just awful. I have no direct experience, but reading your post made my stomach turn. It's like they *know* you're desperate and they just twist the knife. Why would crypto need a customs duty? That's the question you should hang onto. My friend lost money to something similar and she said it felt like being stuck in quicksand. Never pay fees to get your own money back — that's just the golden rule of avoiding a second scam. I wish I had something more concrete to offer, but please, trust your gut.