The first 24 hours are for stopping further loss — not for getting money back. Here is the order that matters.
Do not pay any fee, tax or deposit to unlock funds. That demand is itself the scam. Do not warn the scammer, and do not delete chats or records.
Bad approval = revoke it (disconnecting alone does nothing). Leaked seed phrase = abandon the wallet entirely and move what is left to a brand-new wallet.
Screenshot every address, transaction hash, handle, site and chat, with dates. Investigators ask for hashes and addresses first.
IC3 at ic3.gov first, plus the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Include hashes, addresses, dates and how you were first contacted.
Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) — and your bank first if a bank payment was involved. Keep the crime reference number for the bank.
Fake recovery firms and fake IC3/FBI contacts ask for an upfront fee. The real IC3 never contacts victims to offer recovery and never asks for payment.
The 10-step 24-hour checklist, the US/UK reporting table, and the worked evidence example — all in the full guide.
Read the Full Guide →