Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx wants a 'recovery processing fee' to get my money back. Is this another scam?

asked 6d ago3 views29 answers
0

Hey everyone, I'm feeling so desperate and honestly, pretty stupid right now. A few months ago, I fell for one of those investment scams – lost a significant chunk of my savings, like low five figures. It was awful. I reported it to the RCMP, but haven't heard much back.

Then, out of nowhere, I got an email from a company calling themselves Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx. They claimed to have helped people in similar situations, even mentioned a specific case that sounded just like mine! They said they'd traced my lost funds and could recover them, but they need a 'recovery processing fee' upfront. It's not a huge amount, about 2% of what I lost, but after everything, I'm just so wary. My gut is screaming scam again, but a tiny part of me is holding onto hope. Has anyone dealt with these guys? Is this just another trap? I just can't afford to lose any more.

29 Answers

47

Oh man, Ava, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's absolutely heartbreaking to get hit again after being a victim. Speaking as someone who's seen countless cases in London, this *screams* recovery scam. That 'recovery processing fee'? It's the oldest trick in the book for these parasitic companies. They trawl through leaked victim lists, or sometimes the original scammers even sell your info, knowing you're vulnerable and desperate.

Never, ever pay an upfront fee for recovery. Legitimate recovery services, if they even exist for your specific type of loss (especially crypto, which is notoriously hard to trace and retrieve), work on a contingency basis or charge only upon successful recovery. Or they charge a transparent hourly rate for legal work, which is different from a 'processing fee'. This Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx outfit is almost certainly predatory. Please, do *not* send them a penny. It will only deepen your loss. Your best bet remains with official bodies like Action Fraud or the FBI IC3, or seeking advice from a genuine legal professional specializing in fraud, not someone who emails you out of the blue demanding money.

Daniel Roberts · London, United Kingdomanswered 6d ago
22

Habibti, I am so sorry to hear about your situation. It's incredibly tough to lose money and then feel that flicker of hope, only for it to be something else entirely. Please, protect yourself. Any company asking for money upfront to 'process' or 'release' your funds is highly suspicious. Here in Dubai, we see so many variations of this, especially with crypto. They prey on our desperation. Don't let them make you a victim twice. Stay strong, okay?

Sara Al Suwaidi · Dubai, UAEanswered 6d ago
31

Definitely a scam. This is like, Scammers 2.0. They know you've been scammed so they target you again, preying on your vulnerability. We see this all the time in Singapore, especially with victims of pig butchering scams or investment fraud. The 'recovery processing fee' is just another way to get more money out of you. A genuine service wouldn't ask for that. If it sounds too good to be true, or if they're rushing you, it's almost always a scam. Stay safe.

Yi Goh · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 6d ago
18

Bonjour Ava, from what you describe, this Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx sounds very much like a scam. Un 'recovery processing fee'? C'est absurde. In France, no legitimate firm would ask for an upfront payment to recover funds, especially if they are supposedly 'traced'. This is classic advance fee fraud. They promise to help, but their only goal is to extract more money from you. Be very careful, my friend. Do not trust them.

Louis Leroy · Bordeaux, Franceanswered 6d ago
39

Girl, NO. Stop right there. I went through something similar, although thankfully I didn't pay the second scammer. After I lost about $7k to a fake trading platform last year, I got bombarded with emails and even phone calls from different 'recovery agents.' One of them was Wealth Recovery International, and they were SO convincing. They had details about my original loss that freaked me out. They wanted an 'administrative fee' to start the process. My partner, bless his skeptical heart, told me to look them up. Turns out, they were just another scam preying on victims. The feeling of almost falling for it again, after being so careful... it sucks. Please, don't pay Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx. It's definitely a trap.

Charlotte Morin · Edmonton, Canadaanswered 6d ago
27

Ugh, this totally rings true. I was scammed on a fake forex platform last year, and then a few weeks later got contacted by something called 'MoneyBack Hero'. They had my name, the amount I lost, everything. They made it sound like they were doing me a favour, asking for a 'service retainer'. Luckily, I spoke to my bank (DBS) who confirmed it was a known tactic. These people are ruthless. They specifically target victims because they know you're vulnerable and desperate for a solution. Don't give them a single cent more. That 'recovery processing fee' is just going to disappear like your original funds.

Jia Teo · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 6d ago
16

Salam Ava, I understand your pain and confusion. It's a horrible situation to be in. These recovery scams are unfortunately very common. They thrive on the hope of victims. If they truly could recover your funds, why would they need *your* money first? It makes no sense. Any legitimate firm would either work on a percentage *after* successful recovery or bill you for actual legal work, not a 'processing fee' for something they haven't even done yet. Please, don't engage further with Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx. It's a sad reality, but once the money is gone, especially with crypto, it's often gone for good, and these 'recovery' firms are just looking to fleece you again.

Faisal Al Hashemi · Ras Al Khaimah, UAEanswered 6d ago
35

Ugh, Ava, I'm so sorry. This is exactly what happened to me after I fell for a romance scam and lost quite a bit. A few months later, I got an email from a company called 'Claims Justice' – sounded really official, right? They said they could get my money back but needed a 'verification fee' to access some blocked accounts. I almost paid it. My cousin, who's a lawyer, told me to absolutely not. He said no real recovery firm asks for money upfront like that, especially if they claim to have already 'traced' the funds. It's 100% a secondary scam, often by the same people who scammed you the first time, or they bought your data. Don't fall for it twice.

Lina Weber · Dusseldorf, Germanyanswered 6d ago
28

I'm sorry you're going through this, Ava. It's incredibly frustrating. From my own experience with a similar situation (lost money to a fake investment app), these 'recovery' firms are just kicking you when you're down. I was contacted by a group called 'Action Refund' and they had a very polished website and convincing pitch. They wanted a 'case opening fee'. Thankfully, I checked with my bank, Desjardins, and they immediately flagged it as a known scam. They specifically target people who've already reported a loss, because your name ends up on 'sucker lists' that these secondary scammers buy and sell. Your gut feeling is right. Do not pay them. Focus on official channels like the RCMP or FBI IC3 if it was an international scam.

Logan Gauthier · Quebec City, Canadaanswered 6d ago
19

Mate, listen carefully: any outfit asking for an upfront fee for 'recovery processing' or anything like it is 100% a scam. End of story. They're preying on your vulnerability, plain and simple. The original scammers often sell lists of their victims to these recovery scam artists, knowing you're desperate. It's a double whammy. The FCA in the UK, for instance, constantly warns against these types of firms. Don't let them take another penny from you. They're just con artists, probably operating from some boiler room in a dodgy country.

Edward Wood · Edinburgh, United Kingdomanswered 6d ago
3

Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx? Oh yeah, that's a common one. They're basically a front for the same scammers who took your money, or a related group. They prey on victims who are already hurting. The whole 'traced your funds' is a lie. They *know* about you because you reported it, or because they're part of the same network. Never pay an upfront fee for recovery. Ever. It's the oldest trick in the book.

If you *really* want to pursue this, report them to the FCA if you're in the UK, or your local financial regulator. They won't get your money back directly, but they can track these operations.

Oliver Martin · Brisbane, Australiaanswered 6d ago
5

Oh gosh, that sounds like a nightmare on top of a nightmare. It's completely understandable that you'd be wary – you've been through so much. Holding onto a little hope is okay, but your gut is probably right. These 'recovery' scams are so cruel. They know you're vulnerable and just want your money back. Don't let them take any more from you. Sending you strength.

Mia Simon · Lyon, Franceanswered 6d ago
3

A 'recovery processing fee'? Nuh-uh. That's textbook. They tell you they've found your money, then ask for a fee to 'process' it. Classic. Usually, it's just another layer of theft. If they had your money, they wouldn't need you to pay them first. It's like paying a detective upfront to *find* the money they've already 'found'. Doesn't track.

Yusuf Sheikh · Sharjah, UAEanswered 6d ago
6

OMG, I know EXACTLY how you feel. That pit in your stomach? That desperate hope mixed with fear? I was there last year. Lost about £12k to some crypto nonsense. Then got an email from 'Wealth Recovery International' (sound familiar?) asking for a similar fee. My husband said, 'There's no way, love, they're just trying to get more.' He was right. It was gutting to realise.

What I learned is: if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Report *them* too. Don't pay them a penny more. You did the right thing reporting to the RCMP. Keep pushing, maybe try FBI IC3 even if you're not in the US, they sometimes have global links.

Ava Harris · Canberra, Australiaanswered 6d ago
4

Yeah, sounds like a classic double-dip scam. They find you via the initial scam reports (they monitor those channels, sadly) and then hit you with the 'recovery fee'. If they really recovered your money, it would come from the recovered funds, not from your pocket upfront. I'd steer clear, 100%. That company name isn't ringing any bells as legit, that's for sure.

Emma Lavoie · Victoria, Canadaanswered 6d ago
5

This is unfortunately very common. They create a sense of urgency and hope, making you let your guard down. 'Recovery processing fee' is a huge red flag. Legitimate recovery firms, if such a thing exists outside of law enforcement, don't typically charge upfront fees like this. They take a percentage *after* successful recovery, and even then, it's often from funds the scammer controlled, not new money from you. Block and ignore. It's just another scammer trying to get another bite at the apple.

Fatima Al Hashemi · Abu Dhabi, UAEanswered 6d ago
5

Yup, that Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx outfit sounds dodgy AF. I got hit by a fake investment thing too, lost about R50k. Felt like a total idiot. Then, guess what? Got an email from 'MoneyBack Hero' saying they could get it back for a fee. My mate who works in finance told me straight up, 'That's just another scammer trying to fleece you.' He was right. Don't send them anything. It's heartbreaking, I know, but you've got to protect yourself now.

Sipho Kruger · Cape Town, South Africaanswered 6d ago
3

From my experience in fraud investigations, 'recovery processing fees' are almost universally a scam tactic. They identify victims through initial reports or leaked databases. Their business model is to extract more money from those who have already lost. Genuine asset recovery specialists usually operate on a contingency basis, taking a cut *after* successful retrieval, and even then, their legitimacy is paramount. I'd report this new entity to Action Fraud if you're in the UK, or your local equivalent. Persistence is key, but don't fall for the second trap.

Amelia Smith · Calgary, Canadaanswered 6d ago
7

DO NOT PAY THEM. Seriously. Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx sounds exactly like the kind of name a scammer would use. They found you because you reported the first scam. They're vultures. I lost $15k to a fake forex platform, and then got contacted by 'Claims Justice' wanting a 'success fee' upfront. My daughter, who works at a bank, told me to report them immediately. Never trust anyone asking for money upfront to get your own money back. It’s a scam on top of a scam.

Charlotte Johnson · Perth, Australiaanswered 6d ago
5

Oh, honey, that's awful. It’s completely normal to feel that way, and please don't feel stupid. These scammers are sophisticated and target people when they're feeling hopeful or desperate. That Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx sounds like a classic follow-up scam. They're banking on you wanting your money back so badly you'll overlook the warning signs. Stay strong and trust your instincts. You've already been through so much.

Mia Taylor · Darwin, Australiaanswered 6d ago
6

Watch out. This is a super common tactic. They wait for you to report the initial scam, then they pop up. It's like they bought your name off the first scammer, or they're connected. The 'recovery processing fee' is just them trying to get another bite of the cherry. Legitimate recovery operations, if they even exist and are worth it, take a percentage *after* they get your money back, not before. And they definitely don't ask for a 'processing fee'. This is almost certainly Refund Police or similar. Avoid.

Julia van den Berg · Almere, Netherlandsanswered 6d ago
7

Mate, run away. Fast. 'Recovery processing fee' is the biggest red flag going. These people prey on victims like us. They'll take that fee and disappear, or ask for *another* fee. I lost about $10k to a fake lottery scam, then got hit by 'Action Refund' wanting $500 upfront. My wife said, 'Don't be an idiot, that's not how it works.' She was spot on. They're just scammers digging the hole deeper. Report them, don't pay them.

Jack White · Newcastle, Australiaanswered 6d ago
5

This sounds exactly like 'Action Refund' or 'Wealth Recovery International'. Scum. They get your details from the initial scam, then try to scam you again. They tell you they've found your money (they haven't) and need a fee to release it (there's nothing to release). It's a blatant second scam. Don't reply. Don't give them any information. You reported it to the RCMP, which is good. If you're in the UK, you can report them to Action Fraud, though I doubt they can recover your money directly. They just track these groups.

Sean Murphy · Belfast, Irelandanswered 6d ago
4

Oh no, another one? That's just awful. They are so predatory. The 'recovery processing fee' is a massive, massive red flag. If they had actually recovered your funds, they would take their cut from the recovered money itself, not ask you for more money upfront. This is definitely another scam. Please don't send them anything. You've been through enough already. Consider reporting them to Action Fraud if you're in the UK.

Yi Lau · Singapore, Singaporeanswered 6d ago
4

Hey, I feel for you. It's a brutal cycle. That Uxxxx Rxxxx Fxxx sounds like a total scam. They operate by finding people who've been scammed and then hitting them with a 'recovery fee'. It's a way to get more money from people who are already desperate. They *don't* have your money. If they did, they wouldn't need you to pay them first. My advice? Block them, ignore them, and if you want to report them, use the FBI IC3 portal. It helps them track these groups.

Daniel Jones · Houston, USAanswered 6d ago
3

This is a well-known scam tactic. The 'recovery processing fee' is a huge warning sign. They're hoping you're so eager to get your money back that you'll pay them without thinking. Truth is, if they really had your funds, they'd deduct their fee from the recovered amount. They haven't recovered anything. They're just trying to get another payment from you. It's heartbreaking but true. Keep all your correspondence, and consider reporting it to the authorities.

Sara Ahmed · Al Ain, UAEanswered 6d ago
5

Ugh, the recovery fee scam. They are the worst. They find out you were scammed (often through the reports you filed, sadly) and then try to scam you again. They prey on hope. They don't have your money. They just want *more* money from you. It's sickening. Don't send them a dime. Seriously. You've been through enough. Report them to Action Fraud (if in UK) or your local police fraud unit.

William Bouchard · Winnipeg, Canadaanswered 6d ago
4

As someone who used to work in financial crime investigations, let me tell you: 'recovery processing fees' are a massive red flag. This is a classic follow-on scam. They identify victims and then offer a fake service to recover lost funds, charging an upfront fee. It's a duplicate scam. They likely have no connection to your lost money. Report them to the relevant financial authority in your jurisdiction. In the UK, that would be Action Fraud. Don't pay them anything.

Maryam Khan · Ras Al Khaimah, UAEanswered 6d ago
5

That sounds exactly like what happened to my friend last year. She lost about £8k and then got contacted by a company called 'Claims Justice' wanting a fee to recover it. She felt so stupid, but it wasn't her fault! These scammers are just bottom feeders. She didn't pay them, thankfully. She said she realised if they had her money, they wouldn't need her to pay them first. It's a terrible position to be in, but definitely a scam.

Isla Taylor · Sydney, Australiaanswered 6d ago

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