If this is legit, I am sorry for your loss, please contact support @ Polo. BUT....newbie account? Loss claims? I've traded on Polo since it started and have NEVER had a problem.
That's why Op stated and ask others if they also experience it, and look like many people say the same thing. Maybe DDoS problem or Poloniex cannot afford all of those transactions or whatever it might be. When you want to withdraw what belongs to you and it can't be processed and there's no any explanation, what would you think? better to use other trading platform for now.