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How Do I Report A Crypto Scam?
If you’ve been caught up in a cryptocurrency scam you may feel embarrassed about what’s happened and be reluctant to tell others or report it to the authorities.
But reporting scams can help law enforcement agencies build a more complete picture of the fraudsters and potentially recover stolen funds.
However, reporting a crypto scam can be a daunting prospect, especially if you don’t know who to turn to.
Which is why we’ve compiled this list of agencies around the globe that you can report crypto scams to.
How to report a crypto scam in the United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (works with the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)
- Citizens Advice
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
How to report a crypto scam in the United States
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Center (IC3)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Related post: Crypto scams in the USA and how to report them
How to report a crypto scam in the European Union
How to report a crypto scam in the Australia
How to report a crypto scam in Abu Dhabi
How to report a crypto scam in Belgium
- Report crypto scams at your local police station
How to report a crypto scam in the Canada
How to report a crypto scam in the Dubai
How to report a crypto scam in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
How to report a crypto scam in France
How to report a crypto scam in India
How to report a crypto scam in Nigeria
What else can I do about a crypto scam?
In addition to reporting a crypto scam to the specific agency responsible in your country, you should also report what’s happened to the crypto exchange which you used to transact with and/or your bank.
A crypto exchange is often a weak link for scammers as at some point they need to turn their stolen crypto into cash.
With most exchanges requiring AML information before authorising an account, scammers either use their own details or that of friends or relatives.
If your country doesn’t have a dedicated crypto scam reporting centre then you should visit your local police station to report what’s happened and ask for assistance.
What information do I need to report a crypto scam?
The more information you can provide when you report a crypto scam the better.
You should try to gather details about:
- WhatsApp/Telegram or other social media groups used during the scam.
- Any websites/investing platforms that you’ve been directed to.
- The TXID (Transaction ID) of any cryptocurrency transactions made as part of the scam. You can get this information from open source blockchain explorers, ie blockchain.com for Bitcoin transactions.
- Cryptocurrency wallet addresses used by the scammers.
- Details of the cryptocurrency exchanges used as part of the scam.
- Any phone numbers, email addresses or names used by the scammers who’ve communicated with you.
Should I report a crypto scam?
As I touched upon earlier, reporting a crypto scam is important as it helps the authorities in their efforts to catch the fraudsters.
It also enables various agencies to send out alerts about current scams which in turn helps people avoid them.
Can crypto scammers be caught?
Cracking down on crypto scammers is a constantly evolving game of cat and mouse for the law enforcement agencies.
There are many hurdles to overcome, such as the lack of regulation in the crypto industry, the geographic location of the scammers and the speed with which they set up operations and close them down.
However, as tracing techniques and technology improves there’s more chance of the scammers being caught, and there have been some success stories.
How to spot a crypto scammer?
Crypto fraudsters are using ever more elaborate methods of conning victims out of their cash.
But there are a number of tell-tale signs that help you spot a crypto scam.
If you arm yourself with the knowledge of what to look out for, you’ll hopefully avoid becoming the scammers’ next victim.
This handy ultimate guide to spotting a crypto scam will also help.
Where can I get help reporting a crypto scam?
Realising you’ve been scammed can be a high stress situation, especially if you’ve lost a significant amount of money.
If you need assistance checking out if a site is a scam or not or gathering the details needed to report the scam then get in touch.
Also, see the list of resources below which you may find useful.
Related post: Crypto scam help and resources
Disclaimer: Nothing on this website constitutes financial advice. The information provided is for educational purposes only.
