Donot send the money.
Your decision was truly wise. Hearing your story makes my heart sink, but I am so relieved to hear that you managed to prevent further damage.
âTo get straight to the point, the situation you've described matches the typical tactics of a "Secondary Scam (Loss Recovery Scam)" exactly. As you suspected, they have no intention of returning your money; instead, they are predators trying to extort even more by exploiting your desperation.
âLet me highlight the dangers of the tactics these scammers used:
âRequesting Upfront Fees: No public institution or legitimate financial firm ever asks for an "upfront deposit" or "commission" to process a victim's compensation. The demand to "deposit 2.5% first" is 100% a scam.
âPressure with Tight Deadlines: Setting a short window, such as "within 2 days," is a psychological tactic designed to rush you and prevent you from making a calm, rational judgment.
âThe Temptation of Fake Numbers: The "scheduled return amount" shown on the screen is highly likely just a manipulated digital display, not actual money.
âCollection of Personal Information: The request to register your driver's license is concerning. If your license number or photo was exposed, there is a risk of identity theft in the future.
âRecommended Action Plan
âAbsolutely No Additional Deposits: Do not send money for any reason. They will continue to demand money under various pretexts, such as "taxes" or "notarization fees."
âCut All Contact: Immediately block all communication with the individual named 'Daniel Lee' and anyone associated with that website. Trying to persuade them or expressing anger will not work; they will only try to deceive you more cunningly.
âProtect Your Personal Information: If you sent a photo of your driver's license or registered it on the site, I strongly recommend visiting a local community center, police station, or using the 'Account Info Integrated Management Service (Fine)' to register as a "Person at Risk of Personal Information Leak" to prevent identity theft.
âFile an Official Report: Capture screenshots of the website address and your conversation history (including messages with Daniel Lee), and report them to the National Police Agency (112) or the Cyber Bureauâs ECRM (Electronic Crime Report & Management System).
âIt must be incredibly heavy on your heart to face such a situation again while already dealing with the pain of a previous scam. However, thanks to your sharp intuition, you avoided a much bigger disaster. People this wicked must face the judgment of the law. Please stop engaging with them and seek help through official and secure channels.