PSA: the 'recovery experts' in the comments are scammers. I lost $400 learning this so you don't have to

Embarrassing but posting anyway. My IG (small candle business in Melbourne, ~8k followers) got disabled in April. I commented on a few threads asking for help and within an hour I had replies like 'DM this guy, he got my account back in 2 hours!!' with a profile link. Several different 'happy customers' all saying the same thing. In hindsight, obviously the same people. He was very convincing. Knew all the right words, 'Meta backend', 'reinstatement ticket', etc. Asked for $150 upfront in crypto 'for the tools'. Then another $250 for 'final verification'. Then he wanted my email password 'to link the recovered account'. That's when I finally stopped. Signs it's a scam: - They contact YOU first - Upfront payment, especially crypto or gift cards - They ask for passwords, login codes or the 6-digit code - 'Guaranteed' results - Lots of identical testimonials in the replies Nobody outside Meta can unlock your account. Not hackers, not 'ex-employees', not anyone. I reported it to my bank and to Scamwatch. The crypto is gone. Lesson learned.