I got scammed in crypto: what to do now
Updated 2026-07-09
If you were just scammed in crypto, act fast and stay clear-headed: save all the evidence (transaction hashes, addresses, screenshots and the scam URL), never pay anyone who promises to “recover” your money, and get the funds traced on-chain to learn where they went. The money isn't always recoverable, but the trail can almost always be reconstructed into evidence you can act on.
First: breathe. You're not alone and it wasn't your fault
Crypto scams are run by professional operations that fool smart, careful people every day. Shame and anger are normal — but don't let them freeze you. The first hours matter.
The most important thing right now is to avoid the second mistake: falling for a recovery scam. Right after you're scammed, “recovery agents” appear promising to get everything back for an upfront fee. That's the same scam, again.
What to do in the first hours
Time works against you: funds move and the scam's infrastructure (domains, hosting) can vanish within days. Do this as soon as possible:
- Save all the evidence: the transaction hashes, your wallet address, the addresses you sent to, the scam URL or channel, and screenshots of everything (chats, platform, promises).
- Don't delete anything or block the scammer yet — messages and profiles are evidence.
- If you used an exchange (Binance, OKX, Coinbase, etc.), report the fraud to their support team as soon as possible; they can sometimes freeze funds that haven't left the platform.
- Change passwords and revoke contract approvals if you signed anything (revoke.cash), in case your wallet is compromised.
- Never share your seed phrase or private keys with anyone, for any reason.
Beware the second scam: “recovery agents”
The FBI, the CFTC and regulators worldwide warn about recovery scams: people or companies who contact victims promising to recover the funds for an upfront fee, a percentage, or by asking for your keys.
Simple rules to protect yourself: nobody legitimate guarantees recovery; nobody legitimate contacts you first on Telegram or WhatsApp to “help”; and nobody doing real work will ask for your seed phrase. If you see any of these, it's a scam.
What can actually be done: trace the funds
The blockchain is public: every transaction is recorded forever. Forensic analysis can reconstruct the movement of the money hop by hop, identify the receiving wallets, and determine whether the funds reached a known exchange, a mixer, or are still in private addresses.
That trace, documented in a report, is what lets you act: submit it yourself to an exchange's fraud desk, report the wallets so they get flagged, or — if you want — use it for a police complaint. It's not a promise of recovery: it's evidence and concrete options.
How to know if your case is traceable
Almost every case leaves a trail. If you have at least one transaction hash or the address you sent the funds to, tracing can begin. You can paste that into our free checker and we'll tell you in seconds whether it's traceable, no strings attached.
If the funds ended up at an exchange with identity verification (KYC), the case is especially useful; if they entered a mixer, we document it and honestly explain the limit.
Find out where your money went
Paste a hash or an address into the free checker and we'll tell you if your case is traceable. No strings attached and we never ask for your keys.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover the money I was scammed out of?
There's no guarantee — and nobody legitimate will give you one. Blockchain transactions are irreversible. What can be done is to trace where the funds went and hand you evidence to act on: submit it to an exchange, report the wallets, or back a complaint. Odds improve when the money reached a regulated exchange and you act fast.
What information do you need to trace my case?
The more the better: the transaction hashes, your wallet address, the addresses you sent to, the scam URL or channel, and screenshots. A single hash or address is enough to begin.
Is it too late if I was scammed months ago?
Not necessarily. The blockchain keeps the record forever, so an old case is still traceable. What is lost over time is the site's infrastructure (domains, hosting) and the chance to freeze funds — which is why it's best to act quickly.
Do I have to file a police report?
It's not required to trace the funds. A complaint is one of the options the report gives you, not a requirement. If you'd rather not file one, you can still use the evidence to submit to an exchange or report the wallets yourself.
How much does it cost and do you need my keys?
Our tracing has a fixed, public price, and we work only with public blockchain data: we never ask for your seed phrase or private keys. The initial feasibility check is free.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. DarkEvidence provides forensic analysis; we don't promise to recover funds.