The second act often looks more official than the first. Someone has already lost money to an unlicensed broker or trading desk. A helpful “lawyer” or recovery agent appears, files a complaint with a regulator (or pretends to), and says the funds will be released through a temporary account at a foreign bank so electronic balances can be converted. Then the bank — always via the same chat — demands that the account be insured, taxed or “activated” before anything can be paid out.
That insurance fee is the product. Legitimate banks do not cold-message victims of crypto brokers and ask for a private transfer to unlock a recovery. Caller ID that shows an overseas country code is trivial to spoof; it proves nothing about a rented account in Bangladesh or anywhere else. Brands used in the middle of the story (one report named a desk styled Defisofly) matter less than the sequence: loss → “legal” helper → temporary account → fee before release.
Stop sending money. Keep the chats, wallet addresses and any documents they sent. Report through the routes on our help pages rather than hiring the next stranger who promises to finish the job. A real solicitor you appoint yourself will not demand mystery insurance paid to a personal wallet.
If this ladder matches your inbox, start at Get help. Before paying anyone who claims they can finish the “bank insurance”, read Fake recovery.
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.