Current Expert Network demands a $1,200 'tax clearance'—is this legit?

I’ve been using a trading platform called Current Expert Network for a while now. Initially,mt4 official website for Android download Chinese version everything looked professional—the interface was sleek, customer support was responsive, and my account manager answered all my questions. I went through the full verification process, submitted my ID, proof of address, and other documents. They confirmed that everything was approved and told me my withdrawal would be processed soon.But then came the surprise: they emailed me saying I had to pay a $1,200 “tax clearance” before they could release my funds. This charge was never mentioned when I first joined or during any part of our earlier conversations. When I asked for clarification, they said it was a standard policy for regulatory compliance and that the fee would be refundable after the withdrawal is completed. Still, it sounded suspicious. If it's so standard, why not disclose it upfront?