Short answer. Investment scams that start with an online friendship and a fake trading platform are reported to law enforcement, not appealed. Stop sending money, especially 'taxes' or 'fees' to withdraw, save every message and transaction, and report to IC3 or your national cybercrime service with the wallet addresses and the fake platform's details.
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How these scams work
Contact starts on social media, dating apps or a wrong-number message. Over weeks, the scammer introduces a trading app or website that shows growing profits. Withdrawals are blocked by new fees until the victim stops paying.
What to keep
- Chat histories and profile names
- The fake platform URL, app name and screenshots of the balance
- Every transaction ID and destination address
- Bank or exchange records of the purchases you made
Where to report
In the US, IC3 and the FTC. In the UK, Action Fraud. Also report to the exchange you bought crypto on, and to the platform where contact started.
Do not pay to withdraw
Any request for a tax, fee or deposit to release your 'profits' is part of the scam. Real exchanges deduct fees from balances.
FAQs
Can the money be recovered?
Sometimes, partially, if funds reach an exchange that freezes them after a law enforcement request. Many cases are not recovered.
Will reporting help if I cannot get money back?
Yes. Reports help investigations that do lead to seizures and help warn others.
Someone says they are from a recovery agency. Are they real?
Treat it as a likely second scam, especially if they ask for fees.
Official sources