The story often starts after an earlier loss. Someone promises to return crypto or “unlock” funds. They steer you onto Bybit — or a page that looks like it — show a credit in a chat, bot, or dashboard, then invent a blockage: the crypto mixer will not pass the transfer until you top up about ten percent of the sum as a cleanliness fee, tax, or insurance deposit.
That demand is the tell. On a real exchange, network withdrawal fees appear in the official withdrawal window as a fixed amount for the coin and chain, not as a surprise percentage you must send first so a mixer can bless the payout. Mixers exist to muddy trails; they do not certify that a painted balance is yours. Bybit’s own help pages warn that impostors pose as staff in outside chats and ask for transfers that never belong in a recovery script.
Do not pay the ten percent. Open the real app or site by typing the address yourself, check whether any balance exists in your account, and contact support only through that interface. Ignore Telegram “analysts” who need seed phrases, remote-desktop tools, or a second fee after the first. The same playbook appears with AML washes and unlock deposits — see pay-for-a-mixer traps.
If the pattern matches, start at Get help. If the same people pivot into lawyers or “chargeback teams”, read Fake recovery before you send another coin.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal or financial advice. Details change. If you have lost money, contact your bank or card issuer and use the routes on the help pages.