AML / Release Fee Scam Recovery

Asked to pay an AML, tax or “release” fee to withdraw?

If a platform, broker or “account manager” is telling you that you must pay an AML check, tax, insurance or “release” fee before you can withdraw your own money, this is a classic advance-fee scam. Do not pay it. Our SRA-regulated legal and blockchain investigation team can assess your case for free.

1. Trace
We follow the money with blockchain forensics.
2. Recover
Chargebacks, bank recalls and legal action.
3. Free to start
Free review, no win, no fee.
  • Free & confidential
  • No win, no fee
  • Response within 24 hours
SRA Regulated UK Registered Company

Does this sound familiar?

You are told to pay a fee to release or unlock your own funds
You are asked for “AML”, “tax”, “insurance” or “liquidity” payments before withdrawal
Each time you pay, another fee appears
Your money is stuck “pending” until you pay even more

Do not pay the fee. No legitimate platform, bank or tax authority makes you pay a fee to release your own money. Paying more will not get your funds out, it is how the scam works.

100% confidential. We speak with you by phone and never ask for payment to release your money. Be wary of anyone who only chats or wants upfront fees.

Meridian Fund Recovery is an SRA-regulated licensed body, registered in England and Wales. We provide forensic investigation, dispute support, and legal recovery procedures. No guaranteed outcome is promised; recovery depends on the specifics of each case. We are regulated in the UK and act for clients internationally, including cross-border fraud cases.

Free Case Evaluation

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Common questions before you start

Is it too late to do anything?
Often not. Payment records and blockchain transactions are permanent, and legal steps can still be taken months later. The sooner you act the better, but older cases are still worth assessing.
I paid by bank transfer, can that be recovered?
Possibly. Bank-transfer (APP) fraud may be recoverable, and since October 2024 UK banks must reimburse many victims. If your bank has refused, that decision can be challenged.
I paid in Bitcoin or crypto, is it gone for good?
Not automatically. Crypto can usually be traced on the blockchain to the exchange it reached; recovery then depends on legal action. Tracing is possible; recovery is never guaranteed.
I was told to pay an AML or tax fee, is that normal?
No. No legitimate platform charges a fee to release your own money, that is part of the scam. Stop paying and have your case assessed.
The broker or website has disappeared, is there any point?
Yes. Even when a site vanishes, the money trail and payment records usually remain, and that is exactly what an investigation follows.
Check If My Case Is Recoverable