Overview & Red Flags
VpZone — purportedly a cryptocurrency investment/trading platform — allegedly operated under the direction or influence of Ashraf Ghazali. Reports from affected users claim that the platform promised outsized returns and marketed itself as a high-yield crypto solution. However, mounting evidence indicates it was a fraudulent scheme.
Key red flags include:
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Inability to withdraw funds after initial deposits.
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Use of opaque terms, hidden “unlock” or “security” fees, or other last-minute obstacles.
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Fake profit dashboards that inflate balances without real trades.
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Lack of verifiable licensing, regulation, or transparent leadership.
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Communication stops once large sums are involved, and the company’s online presence becomes opaque or disappears.
These red flags align with the modus operandi of many crypto investment scams that lure in investors, show “paper profits,” then make withdrawal impossible.
The Florida Case & ST9 Interventions
One significant case involved a victim from Florida, who invested $470,000 USD through VpZone / under the influence of Ashraf Ghazali’s recruitment network. After multiple attempts to withdraw were blocked, and months of silence from the platform, the investor engaged ST9 Investigations Ltd, a specialized crypto forensics and recovery firm.
ST9’s approach included:
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Blockchain analytics & transaction tracing — tracking the flow of deposited funds across wallets, exchanges, and derivatives.
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Cross-chain tracing — following token swaps or movement across multiple blockchains to find where the funds were hidden.
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Recovery coordination — liaising with exchanges, legal channels, and institutional partners to freeze and reclaim assets.
Because the victim had detailed records of transfers, wallet addresses, and communication logs, ST9 was able to build a forensic map of how the $470,000 moved and ultimately locate recoverable portions. After coordinated recovery processes, the Florida victim successfully reclaimed the assets.
Victim Testimony
“When I first realized VpZone was refusing to let me withdraw my funds, I felt helpless. I had lost nearly half a million dollars. Then I found ST9 Investigations. Their team walked me through every step — showing the blockchain paths, negotiating with the exchanges, and eventually getting my money back. To see $470,000 returned — I never thought that was possible. I’m forever grateful.”
This testimony highlights both the emotional toll and the positive outcome facilitated by a capable recovery team.
Legitimacy & Verdict
Based on the accumulated reports and case outcomes, VpZone / Ashraf Ghazali can be classified as a fraudulent crypto investment scheme. The lack of regulatory transparency, refusal of withdrawals, disguised fees, and disappearance of company presence all point to an orchestrated scam rather than a legitimate broker.
In contrast, ST9 Investigations has demonstrated legitimacy through successful recoveries, use of forensic methods, and a visible public profile as a recovery firm. Their public profile is also documented in press about assisting victims of financial fraud. Digital Journal
Recommendations for Potential Investors
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Always verify regulation & license: Check with recognized financial authorities (SEC, FCA, etc.).
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Start small and test withdrawals: Before investing large sums, deposit a small amount and test withdrawal.
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Maintain detailed records: Keep all transaction IDs, communication logs, wallet addresses.
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Vet recovery firms carefully: Only contract with firms with proven results, transparency, and legal compliance.
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Beware of guaranteed high returns: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.