Reported sites › Fake trading platforms
Gold-start[.]com: what’s been reported
Asked to pay a fee before you can withdraw? Stop and read this first. Here is what was reported about this site, and what you can still do.
What’s on record
- Name used
- Gold-start[.]com
- Website
- gold-start[.]com · online when we checked
- Reported as
- Pig butchering, fake trading platform
- Listed by
- California DFPI, Crypto Scam Tracker
- We last checked
The DFPI lists complaints from consumers. It doesn’t verify the losses. We don’t link to the site itself.
What was reported
A California resident told the DFPI that a woman contacted them by text message and later said a relative of hers could help them invest in crypto assets and gold options on this platform. The resident said they opened an account, put in cryptocurrency, and, after seeing what looked like trading gains, used money from their retirement account to add more. They reported that the woman then pressed them to take out a loan to deposit more, and that when they grew suspicious and tried to withdraw, they could not get any money back.
Sound familiar?
- Your account shows profits, but you can’t take money out.
- You’re asked for a fee, a tax or a “commission” before any withdrawal.
- The site goes offline, and the same people often come back under a new name.
What to do now
- Don’t pay any more fees to withdraw. Paying doesn’t unlock the money. It usually leads to the next fee.
- Save everything. Screenshots, chats, the website address, wallet addresses and transaction IDs.
- Report it. To the FBI at ic3.gov, and to the DFPI if you live in California.
- Watch for “recovery” offers. If someone contacts you offering to get the money back for an upfront fee, it’s almost always the same scam again.
See what you can still do
The free Recovery Check takes 6 questions. It shows your options, from your bank to tracing crypto, and what to do first.
Start the free Recovery Check →Lost money to a scam in 2025 or later? It may be tax deductible. Try the free Tax Check →
Who can help next
Professional support Paid
Be extra careful with anyone offering “crypto recovery.” Many of these companies are scams themselves. Some legitimate crypto tracing firms exist, but if you pay for help, we recommend a licensed law firm that focuses on fraud, including crypto.
One option: Larkspire Law, a law firm related to Larkspire, Inc. The assessment is free, and a person usually gets back to you the same business day.
Get a free assessment →