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You've just lost money to a crypto scam. It's devastating. You feel angry, embarrassed, desperate.
And now, you are about to become the target of a second scam.
This is the cruelest twist in the crypto fraud ecosystem. The same criminals or others who buy lists of victims will contact you pretending to be recovery specialists. They offer hope at the exact moment when hope is what you need most .
The Scale of the Problem
Between November 2024 and November 2025, Action Fraud received 5,553 reports of recovery scams totaling £185 million in losses .
The FBI seized websites belonging to three cryptocurrency recovery services MyChargeBack, Payback LTD, and Claim Justice for defrauding victims . These companies claimed to provide cryptocurrency tracing and promised the ability to recover lost funds but had no track record of doing so .
The scammers don't wait for you to find them. They actively search for you through forums, social media, complaint boards, and data obtained from darknet marketplaces .
How the Scam Works
Step 1: They Find You
If you've posted about losing money to crypto fraud on Reddit, Twitter, Telegram, or a complaint forum you've become a qualified lead .
Step 2: They Impersonate a Credible Brand
Scammers copy logos, domains, and documentation from real blockchain analytics companies, law firms, or even government agencies . Some pretend to be from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center . Others create fake review profiles on Trustpilot with AI-generated photos .
Step 3: They Offer Hope (With a Fee)
The pitch is always the same: "We can recover your funds. We've already traced them. But we need a payment to release them." The "release" fee may be followed by additional demands taxes, insurance, processing fees .
Step 4: They Disappear (Or Steal More)
After payment, the scammer vanishes. Or worse some instruct victims to install remote-access software, then use that access to steal whatever remains .
The Red Flags That Separate Scams from Legitimate Help
Red Flag What It Means
Unsolicited contact Genuine agencies don't email or call you first. You should be the one reaching out .
Upfront fees Legitimate firms may charge for their investigative work but not as a "release fee" based on a promise that funds have already been found .
"Found your funds just pay to release them" This is the classic advance-fee fraud pattern. If funds were truly located, the process would involve law enforcement, not a private company .
Requests for private keys or seed phrases This is a definitive red flag. No legitimate forensic firm needs this information .
Claims of government affiliation Law enforcement does not charge victims for investigating crimes. Anyone claiming to be from the FBI, IC3, or a national bank and demanding payment is a scammer .
Pressure tactics "Limited-time offer." "Funds about to expire." Scammers create urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly .
Fake reviews and social proof Scammers post dozens of glowing reviews from fake accounts. Look for identical praise, poor grammar, or brand-new reviewer accounts .
How Real Professional Help Works
Legitimate blockchain forensics firms like Cryptera Chain Signals operate very differently:
You contact them—not the other way around
They never ask for your private keys or seed phrase—they analyze the blockchain, not your wallet
They provide honest, realistic assessments—no guaranteed outcomes, no impossible promises
They offer transparent fixed pricing—not percentage-based commissions
They deliver evidentiary-grade reports—suitable for law enforcement and compliance teams
They maintain absolute confidentiality—strict privacy protocols from the first consultation
What to Do If Someone Contacts You
Do not respond. Any engagement confirms you're a viable target .
Do not pay anything. No legitimate service requires prepayment before providing real service.
Verify independently. If they claim to be from a specific company, go to that company's official website and contact them through verified channels not through information the contact provided.
Report it. In the UK, report to Action Fraud. In the US, report to the FTC or local law enforcement .
What you can do next: If you're looking for professional forensic help after a crypto loss, you should be the one initiating contact. Visit the Cryptera Chain Signals website to learn more and request a consultation—on your terms, through verified channels.
Article 5: "Can I File a Police Report for Crypto Fraud?" – A Step-by-Step Guide
Yes. You can and you should.
Filing a police report serves multiple critical purposes :
It officially documents the crime and creates a legal record
It provides proof that the incident occurred
It helps law enforcement track the scale of crypto fraud
It may be required before exchanges or financial institutions can take action
But here's the challenge: Most law enforcement officers don't have the tools or experience to handle crypto cases. How well you prepare your case often makes all the difference .
Step-by-Step: Filing Your Report
Step 1: Gather Your Evidence
Before you approach any law enforcement agency, collect and organize everything :
Essential information:
Transaction hash – The unique alphanumeric identifier for your transaction
Your wallet address – The address you sent funds FROM
Recipient wallet address(es) – Where you sent the funds
Exact amount – In cryptocurrency AND its value in USD/your local currency at the time
Date and time – When the transaction occurred
Supporting evidence:
Screenshots of the scam platform, your wallet, transaction history
Communication logs – emails, social media messages, WhatsApp/Signal chats
Website URLs, phone numbers, and social media profiles used by the scammers
Any receipts or "case numbers" the scammers provided
Device preservation:
If you suspect your device was compromised, do not wipe or reset it immediately. Compromised devices can contain important forensic evidence .
If possible, preserve a clean device for communications with authorities .
Step 2: File a Local Police Report
In person:
Visit your local police station
Ask to speak to a financial crimes detective
Bring all your documentation
Request that they open a criminal case
Online:
Many local police departments offer online reporting for certain crimes
Check your local police website
By phone:
Call the non-emergency number for your local police station
Step 3: File a Federal Report
In the United States:
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) :
Go to ic3.gov
Click "File a Complaint"
Provide detailed information about the scam, including wallet addresses and transaction hashes
Save the confirmation for your records
Why this matters: The FBI received 181,565 cryptocurrency fraud complaints totaling over $11 billion in losses in 2025 . Reporting helps them track the problem and allocate resources to fight it.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) :
File a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
This helps build a national database of fraud reports
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) :
File if your fraud involved investment schemes or commodities trading
In the UK:
Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk
In Canada:
Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Internationally:
If scammers are based in another country, your local authorities may coordinate with international agencies
Step 4: What to Include in Your Statement
Your statement should be clear and precise :
What happened – Date, time, and essence of the incident
From which wallet funds were stolen – Your wallet address
What cryptocurrency was stolen and its value – Amount and USD equivalent
Where it was sent – Recipient address and transaction hashes
What confirms the theft – Wallet screenshots, correspondence, blockchain analysis
A request to open a criminal case – And your willingness to cooperate
Step 5: Why a Professional Forensic Report Helps
A professional blockchain forensics report transforms complex on-chain data into something law enforcement can actually use :
A clear fund flow map – Visualizing exactly where funds traveled
Entity identification – Which exchanges or services received the funds
Timeline reconstruction – When funds moved and in what sequence
Evidence of obfuscation – If the scammers used mixers or cross-chain bridges
Why this matters: Well-prepared cases that include forensic reports are more likely to be taken seriously and investigated . They also provide the documentation needed to request account freezes at exchanges .
Realistic Expectations
Filing a report is essential, but it's important to understand what it can and cannot do :
What a police report does:
Creates an official record of the crime
May enable law enforcement to investigate (especially for larger cases)
Supports requests for exchange freezes when combined with forensic evidence
Documents the loss for tax purposes
What it doesn't guarantee:
Immediate investigation – many local agencies are still unfamiliar with crypto cases
Recovery – blockchain transfers are generally irreversible
Fast results – investigations can take months or years
After You File
Keep copies of everything – both your local police report and your federal filing. You may need to provide these to exchanges, financial institutions, or professional forensic firms .
Watch for secondary scams – Once you've filed reports, your information may become a target for "recovery" scammers . Be cautious of anyone contacting you offering help you should be the one initiating contact.
What you can do next: Visit the Cryptera Chain Signals website to request a professional forensic report. A clear, evidentiary-grade analysis of your transaction trail can strengthen your case for law enforcement and compliance teams and help you understand what your realistic options are.
And now, you are about to become the target of a second scam.
This is the cruelest twist in the crypto fraud ecosystem. The same criminals or others who buy lists of victims will contact you pretending to be recovery specialists. They offer hope at the exact moment when hope is what you need most .
The Scale of the Problem
Between November 2024 and November 2025, Action Fraud received 5,553 reports of recovery scams totaling £185 million in losses .
The FBI seized websites belonging to three cryptocurrency recovery services MyChargeBack, Payback LTD, and Claim Justice for defrauding victims . These companies claimed to provide cryptocurrency tracing and promised the ability to recover lost funds but had no track record of doing so .
The scammers don't wait for you to find them. They actively search for you through forums, social media, complaint boards, and data obtained from darknet marketplaces .
How the Scam Works
Step 1: They Find You
If you've posted about losing money to crypto fraud on Reddit, Twitter, Telegram, or a complaint forum you've become a qualified lead .
Step 2: They Impersonate a Credible Brand
Scammers copy logos, domains, and documentation from real blockchain analytics companies, law firms, or even government agencies . Some pretend to be from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center . Others create fake review profiles on Trustpilot with AI-generated photos .
Step 3: They Offer Hope (With a Fee)
The pitch is always the same: "We can recover your funds. We've already traced them. But we need a payment to release them." The "release" fee may be followed by additional demands taxes, insurance, processing fees .
Step 4: They Disappear (Or Steal More)
After payment, the scammer vanishes. Or worse some instruct victims to install remote-access software, then use that access to steal whatever remains .
The Red Flags That Separate Scams from Legitimate Help
Red Flag What It Means
Unsolicited contact Genuine agencies don't email or call you first. You should be the one reaching out .
Upfront fees Legitimate firms may charge for their investigative work but not as a "release fee" based on a promise that funds have already been found .
"Found your funds just pay to release them" This is the classic advance-fee fraud pattern. If funds were truly located, the process would involve law enforcement, not a private company .
Requests for private keys or seed phrases This is a definitive red flag. No legitimate forensic firm needs this information .
Claims of government affiliation Law enforcement does not charge victims for investigating crimes. Anyone claiming to be from the FBI, IC3, or a national bank and demanding payment is a scammer .
Pressure tactics "Limited-time offer." "Funds about to expire." Scammers create urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly .
Fake reviews and social proof Scammers post dozens of glowing reviews from fake accounts. Look for identical praise, poor grammar, or brand-new reviewer accounts .
How Real Professional Help Works
Legitimate blockchain forensics firms like Cryptera Chain Signals operate very differently:
You contact them—not the other way around They never ask for your private keys or seed phrase—they analyze the blockchain, not your wallet They provide honest, realistic assessments—no guaranteed outcomes, no impossible promises They offer transparent fixed pricing—not percentage-based commissions They deliver evidentiary-grade reports—suitable for law enforcement and compliance teams They maintain absolute confidentiality—strict privacy protocols from the first consultationWhat to Do If Someone Contacts You
Do not respond. Any engagement confirms you're a viable target .
Do not pay anything. No legitimate service requires prepayment before providing real service.
Verify independently. If they claim to be from a specific company, go to that company's official website and contact them through verified channels not through information the contact provided.
Report it. In the UK, report to Action Fraud. In the US, report to the FTC or local law enforcement .
What you can do next: If you're looking for professional forensic help after a crypto loss, you should be the one initiating contact. Visit the Cryptera Chain Signals website to learn more and request a consultation—on your terms, through verified channels.
Article 5: "Can I File a Police Report for Crypto Fraud?" – A Step-by-Step Guide
Yes. You can and you should.
Filing a police report serves multiple critical purposes :
It officially documents the crime and creates a legal record
It provides proof that the incident occurred
It helps law enforcement track the scale of crypto fraud
It may be required before exchanges or financial institutions can take action
But here's the challenge: Most law enforcement officers don't have the tools or experience to handle crypto cases. How well you prepare your case often makes all the difference .
Step-by-Step: Filing Your Report
Step 1: Gather Your Evidence
Before you approach any law enforcement agency, collect and organize everything :
Essential information:
Transaction hash – The unique alphanumeric identifier for your transaction
Your wallet address – The address you sent funds FROM
Recipient wallet address(es) – Where you sent the funds
Exact amount – In cryptocurrency AND its value in USD/your local currency at the time
Date and time – When the transaction occurred
Supporting evidence:
Screenshots of the scam platform, your wallet, transaction history
Communication logs – emails, social media messages, WhatsApp/Signal chats
Website URLs, phone numbers, and social media profiles used by the scammers
Any receipts or "case numbers" the scammers provided
Device preservation:
If you suspect your device was compromised, do not wipe or reset it immediately. Compromised devices can contain important forensic evidence .
If possible, preserve a clean device for communications with authorities .
Step 2: File a Local Police Report
In person:
Visit your local police station
Ask to speak to a financial crimes detective
Bring all your documentation
Request that they open a criminal case
Online:
Many local police departments offer online reporting for certain crimes
Check your local police website
By phone:
Call the non-emergency number for your local police station
Step 3: File a Federal Report
In the United States:
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) :
Go to ic3.gov
Click "File a Complaint"
Provide detailed information about the scam, including wallet addresses and transaction hashes
Save the confirmation for your records
Why this matters: The FBI received 181,565 cryptocurrency fraud complaints totaling over $11 billion in losses in 2025 . Reporting helps them track the problem and allocate resources to fight it.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) :
File a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
This helps build a national database of fraud reports
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) :
File if your fraud involved investment schemes or commodities trading
In the UK:
Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk
In Canada:
Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Internationally:
If scammers are based in another country, your local authorities may coordinate with international agencies
Step 4: What to Include in Your Statement
Your statement should be clear and precise :
What happened – Date, time, and essence of the incident
From which wallet funds were stolen – Your wallet address
What cryptocurrency was stolen and its value – Amount and USD equivalent
Where it was sent – Recipient address and transaction hashes
What confirms the theft – Wallet screenshots, correspondence, blockchain analysis
A request to open a criminal case – And your willingness to cooperate
Step 5: Why a Professional Forensic Report Helps
A professional blockchain forensics report transforms complex on-chain data into something law enforcement can actually use :
A clear fund flow map – Visualizing exactly where funds traveled
Entity identification – Which exchanges or services received the funds
Timeline reconstruction – When funds moved and in what sequence
Evidence of obfuscation – If the scammers used mixers or cross-chain bridges
Why this matters: Well-prepared cases that include forensic reports are more likely to be taken seriously and investigated . They also provide the documentation needed to request account freezes at exchanges .
Realistic Expectations
Filing a report is essential, but it's important to understand what it can and cannot do :
What a police report does:
Creates an official record of the crime
May enable law enforcement to investigate (especially for larger cases)
Supports requests for exchange freezes when combined with forensic evidence
Documents the loss for tax purposes
What it doesn't guarantee:
Immediate investigation – many local agencies are still unfamiliar with crypto cases
Recovery – blockchain transfers are generally irreversible
Fast results – investigations can take months or years
After You File
Keep copies of everything – both your local police report and your federal filing. You may need to provide these to exchanges, financial institutions, or professional forensic firms .
Watch for secondary scams – Once you've filed reports, your information may become a target for "recovery" scammers . Be cautious of anyone contacting you offering help you should be the one initiating contact.
What you can do next: Visit the Cryptera Chain Signals website to request a professional forensic report. A clear, evidentiary-grade analysis of your transaction trail can strengthen your case for law enforcement and compliance teams and help you understand what your realistic options are.