#germany
15 questions tagged with #germany
My unregulated broker is demanding a 'profit release fee' to access my funds. Is this a new scam?
Hey everyone, I'm feeling pretty sick to my stomach right now. I've been trading with this broker, let's just say they're not exactly top-tier regulated, for about six months. Started with a small deposit, like 500 Euros, and through some lucky trades, I managed to build it up pretty well. I thought I had like, 12,000 Euros in my account. I tried to withdraw 3k for a new car, and suddenly they're telling me I can't. They said I need to pay a 'profit release fee' of 15% of my balance to unlock the funds. They said it's 'standard procedure for large profits' with offshore accounts. This sounds really dodgy to me, but I'm desperate to get my money. I've sent them scans of my ID and everything. They're based somewhere in the Caribbean, I think. Has anyone else encountered this 'profit release fee' before? Is there anything I can do, or is my money just gone? I'm in Stuttgart, btw, so maybe BaFin could help? But they're not regulated there.
Met a 'kind soul' on a hiking forum, lost crypto on a fake platform. Any hope from Germany?
I'm feeling so incredibly stupid and ashamed right now. I met someone on an online hiking forum a few months ago, they seemed really genuine and we connected over our love for the outdoors. Over time, we moved to WhatsApp and they started talking about how they were making really good money trading crypto. They convinced me to 'invest' a significant portion of my savings – low five figures – into this platform called 'BitForex Impersonators'. I know, I know, the name itself should have been a red flag. But they were so convincing, showing me screenshots of profits, always available to chat. I even saw some small returns initially, which I withdrew successfully. That's what sealed it for me. Then I put in the big money. Now the website is gone, their WhatsApp is dead, and my crypto is just… evaporated. I'm in Dresden, Germany. I've reported it to the local police, but they just looked at me blankly. Is there anything else I can do? I feel so lost.
Is 'Global Fund Recovery Experts' asking for a 'digital asset clearance fee' another scam?
Hey everyone, I'm Michael from Leipzig. I really need some advice. A few months ago, I got completely taken in by a crypto investment scam – lost about 12,000 euros. I was so embarrassed and felt totally stupid, you know? Just when I was trying to move on, I got an email out of the blue from a company calling themselves 'Global Fund Recovery Experts'. They say they specialize in recovering lost crypto from these types of scams. They even had some details about my original loss, which freaked me out a bit, but also made me think maybe they're legit. They've been super persistent, sending me documents and 'proof' that they've located my funds. Now they're asking for a 'digital asset clearance fee' of around 1,500 euros to release everything. They say it's for blockchain verification and regulatory compliance, and that once paid, the funds will be transferred directly. I'm so wary after what happened before. My gut says no, but a small part of me is desperate to get my money back. Is this just another trap? Has anyone dealt with these guys or a similar request?
My 'mentor' from a professional networking site vanished with my crypto. Any hope from Germany?
Okay, so this is super embarrassing but I need to ask. I met this guy on LinkedIn, seemed really legit, high-profile connections, talked about wealth management. He started 'mentoring' me, giving me tips, then suggested I diversify into crypto through a platform he swore by. Said it was regulated, everything. I put in a good chunk, like a mid-five-figure amount over a few weeks. The 'returns' looked incredible on their app. We talked every day, he was so encouraging. Then, one day, the app went dark. His LinkedIn profile disappeared, and his 'secure messaging app' account? Gone too. I've tried everything to log back in, nothing. I feel like such an idiot. I'm in Dusseldorf, Germany. What can I even do here? I've heard about BaFin but don't know where to start or if it's even worth it.
My 'online girlfriend' vanished with all my investments on a fake crypto platform. What now from Germany?
I met this woman, 'Mei', on Instagram about three months ago. She was so charming and seemed genuinely interested in me. We talked daily, video calls even, always about her life, her family, never anything weird. Then she started talking about crypto, how she was making good money with an "investment platform" her uncle introduced her to. I was hesitant at first, but she kept showing me screenshots of her 'profits'. Eventually, I put in a small amount, like 500 euros, just to try. It seemed to grow, and I could even withdraw a tiny bit. That made me trust her more, you know? So, I put in more. A lot more. Almost all my savings, about 15,000 euros. The platform looked legit, had all these charts and stuff. Last week, I tried to withdraw a larger sum, and suddenly, I couldn't. Mei stopped replying to my messages. Her Instagram is gone. The website is down. My heart just sank. I feel like such an idiot. I'm in Leipzig, Germany. Is there *anything* I can do? Or am I just out all that money?
Is 'Funds Recovery Group' asking for a 'digital asset protection fee' legit for my lost crypto?
Hi everyone, I'm feeling really desperate. Last year, I lost a significant amount, like, low five figures, in a crypto investment scam. It totally messed me up. I reported it to the local police here in Dusseldorf, but they basically said it's almost impossible to trace. Recently, I got an email out of the blue from a company called 'Funds Recovery Group'. They claimed they saw my case filed somewhere (which sounded a bit vague, tbh) and said they could help me get my money back. We've exchanged a few emails, and now they're asking for a 'digital asset protection fee' before they can 'release' my funds. It's a few thousand Euros. They say it's for legal compliance and to secure the transfer. It sounds official, but after being scammed once, I'm super paranoid. My gut says no, but a part of me really wants to believe it. Has anyone dealt with these guys, or heard of this fee?
Met a 'financier' on a photography forum, now my crypto is gone via CoinEgg. Any hope from Berlin?
I'm feeling so stupid right now. I met this guy, 'Alex', on a photography forum, we bonded over gear and travel photos, totally normal at first. Then he started talking about crypto investments, how he was making so much money for his family. He sounded really knowledgeable, shared screenshots of 'gains' from CoinEgg. He helped me set up an account, even walked me through buying USDT on a legit exchange and transferring it to CoinEgg. I started with a small amount, like 500 euros, and it actually 'grew'. He convinced me to put in more, then more, about 12,000 euros in total. When I tried to withdraw, the platform kept asking for more 'tax' or 'verification fees'. I haven't seen a cent. I'm heartbroken and ashamed. I reported it to my local police here in Berlin, but they seemed overwhelmed. What else can I do?
Invested in 'Forex Future' after meeting someone on a business networking app – now all gone. Any hope?
i really don't know what to do right now, i feel so stupid. i met this person on a professional networking app, you know, like for business connections? they seemed so legitimate, talking about global markets, trading strategies, very sophisticated. we moved to whatsapp after a few days, and then they started mentioning this 'Forex Future' platform, showing me screenshots of amazing returns. initially, i put in a small amount, like 500 euros, and it actually grew like crazy. i even withdrew a bit to my bank account, which made it feel super real. over about two months, i ended up investing almost 15,000 euros, thinking i was making smart moves for my future. then, overnight, my account on their site was 'frozen' due to 'regulatory issues.' they're asking for a 30% tax payment to unfreeze it, which obviously i don't have, and it just feels like another trap. my stomach is in knots. is there *any* point in reporting this in Germany? will anyone even care? i feel so ashamed.
My 'broker' EuroFX just introduced a 'withdrawal verification fee'. Is this a new scam tactic?
I'm feeling so sick to my stomach right now. I put a fair bit of money, about 8,000 euros, into EuroFX a few months back. I thought I was being really smart, you know? They had a slick website, good English support, all the usual stuff. They even bragged about being regulated, but I didn't dig too deep, my fault completely there I guess. I made some decent profits, or so I thought – my account balance was showing over 15,000 euros. Last week, I tried to withdraw 5,000 euros. It's for a new start; my husband lost his job. But now they're saying I need to pay a 'withdrawal verification fee' of 1,200 euros before they can process it. They claim it's a new regulatory thing. This sounds fishy, doesn't it? I've never heard of such a fee before. Is this legit or am I being scammed again?
Lost everything to a 'future' from a language exchange app, now all my crypto is gone via ZG.com - any hope from Germany?
I really thought I found someone special. We met on a German-English language exchange app, 'LinguaConnect', about four months ago. He was so charming, said he was a successful tech investor from Singapore, always talking about our future together. After a while, he convinced me to 'diversify' my small crypto holdings into something called ZG.com. Said it was super secure, big returns, you know the drill. Stupid me, I saw some initial small gains, which he helped me 'withdraw' once, just to prove it was real. Then he pushed for more, and more. I poured in all my savings, even took out a small loan. Now, the website, ZG.com, is gone. The app doesn't work. His number is disconnected, and the language app account is deleted. My heart and my bank account are completely shattered. I'm in Cologne, Germany. I've heard about the FBI, but I'm in Germany. What can I even do here? Is there really any hope?
Lost my savings to a 'new friend' from a cooking app, now my money is gone from a fake investment platform. Where do I even start reporting?
Feeling so stupid and alone right now. I met this person through a cooking recipe app, like a community thing, a few months ago. We started chatting, then moved to WhatsApp, and it felt really natural. He was so supportive and charming. Eventually, he started talking about this amazing crypto investment platform, showing me screenshots of crazy returns. I'd never done crypto before but he was so convincing, said he'd 'guide me.' Long story short, I invested about 12,000 Euros. He even showed me how to make a 'small profit' initially to build trust. Then, when I tried to withdraw a larger amount, poof, platform disappeared, and so did he. My heart aches for the money, but also for the deception. I feel utterly betrayed. I'm in Hamburg, Germany. I don't even know where to begin reporting this. Should I go to the local police? Is there some international body? Any advice appreciated, I'm just so lost.
A company called 'Action Refund' wants an 'advance tax payment' – is this another scam on top of previous losses?
Hey everyone, so i lost a good chunk of money to a crypto investment scam last year, like about 15k EUR. It was awful, still hurts to think about. I reported it to the police here in Germany and also filled out the form with Action Fraud in the UK just in case, but honestly, didn't hear much back. Then out of nowhere, i get an email today from a company calling themselves 'Action Refund'. They say they've tracked my funds, which sounds too good to be true, right? They've been really professional, sending me official-looking documents, and even had a PDF breakdown of my 'recovered' funds. But, to get the money released, they're asking for an 'advance tax payment' of around 1,500 EUR to a specific crypto wallet. They claim it's a mandatory government tax for international fund transfers. My gut is screaming scam, but the small hopeful part of me wonders if it could be real. Has anyone heard of this 'Action Refund' or this type of fee?
Tinder crypto scam - my 'future' vanished after I invested in 'CoinEgg.' What now from Germany?
I really don't know where to start. I met someone amazing on Tinder a few months ago, we chatted for ages, really seemed to connect. I thought this was it, you know? She eventually brought up cryptocurrency, said she was doing really well with this platform called CoinEgg. She was super convincing, showed me screenshots of her 'profits' and everything. Eventually, I put in about 8,000 euros, mostly from my savings, expecting to double it like she said. We were even talking about next steps, planning a future. Then, about a week ago, I tried to withdraw some funds because I needed to pay for something unexpected. The platform wouldn't let me. Kept saying I needed to pay a 'tax' or 'upgrade my account' or something ridiculous. And she, my 'future partner,' just disappeared. Blocked me everywhere. I'm gutted, financially and emotionally. I've heard about these 'pig butchering' scams. Is that what happened? Is there any way to get my money back or even report this properly from Germany? I feel so stupid and embarrassed.
Lost my inheritance to a 'future partner' from a dating app, now my money is gone from a fake investment platform – can I recover from Germany?
Ok, so I'm completely broken right now. I met someone really special on a dating app, we talked for months, loads of video calls, really connected. They seemed so supportive when I told them about my small inheritance from my grandmother. Then they introduced me to this 'incredible' investment platform. Said their uncle worked there, super secure, high returns. I put in a significant chunk of what I had, about 15,000 euros. At first, it looked great, the numbers were going up. I even 'withdrew' a small amount, like 200 euros, just to test it, and it worked! That's what made me trust it more. Then I put in more. Now, the platform is gone. The person blocked me everywhere. I feel so stupid, so exposed. I'm in Leipzig, Germany. Does anyone know if there's *any* way to get my money back or even report this properly here? I've contacted my local police but they seemed a bit overwhelmed by the crypto part.
A company called 'Global Recovery Network' just emailed, wants 'KYC verification fee' – scam?
Hey everyone, i'm Felix from Munich, and i'm kinda desperate here. Back in November, I lost about 8,000 euros to a fake crypto investment platform. It was a really hard lesson, I still feel so dumb about it. Anyway, today I got an email out of the blue, from a company calling themselves 'Global Recovery Network'. They claim they tracked some of my lost funds and can help me get them back. Sounds too good to be true, right? They're asking for a 'KYC verification fee' of 250 euros before they can proceed. They sent me a link to some online portal where I'm supposed to upload my ID and pay the fee. My gut's screaming scam, partly because I've already fallen for something similar. Part of me is hoping, though, because 8k is a lot of money to just write off. Has anyone heard of these guys or had a similar experience? Just need some advice before I do anything else impulsive.