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INSIGHTS & GUIDANCE

What to do after a cryptocurrency scam

September 16, 2026

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Focus first on limiting further exposure and preserving reliable evidence. An urgent promise of recovery is not a substitute for a careful response.

Stop further exposure

Do not send additional funds, connect a wallet to a recovery portal, or provide a recovery phrase. If a device or account may be compromised, use a trusted device and the provider’s official security instructions. Contact the exchange or wallet provider through an independently verified channel.

Preserve the transaction record

Record the blockchain network, transaction hashes, sending and receiving addresses, token, amount, and date. Save receipts and the original correspondence. Keep originals separate from notes so your timeline does not inadvertently replace evidence.

Report through official channels

Notify the exchange involved and appropriate authorities. If you purchased crypto using a bank or card, tell that payment provider what happened and ask which reporting or dispute options apply. Record reference numbers without assuming a refund is available.

Evaluate recovery offers carefully

Nobody can guarantee that a blockchain transfer will be reversed. Ask what specific work is proposed, how conclusions will be supported, and what fees apply. An unsolicited message claiming that funds are already recovered deserves independent verification.

General educational information, not legal or financial advice. Available remedies vary; no recovery is guaranteed.

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