How to recognise a scam recovery scam
People who have already lost money are frequently targeted again. Learn the warning signs before paying another fee.
Why previous victims are targeted
Fraudsters may pose as investigators, government representatives, lawyers, or recovery specialists. They often claim to have located funds and say that one more payment, tax, bond, or account fee will release the money.
Unexpected contact is a major warning sign. Official agencies do not contact victims out of the blue to demand payment or financial credentials in exchange for a refund.
Warning signs to take seriously
Pause the conversation if any person or service uses urgency, secrecy, guaranteed outcomes, or unusual payment instructions.
- A guarantee that all or most of the money will be returned
- An upfront fee payable by cryptocurrency, wire transfer, gift card, or payment app
- Requests for passwords, private keys, seed phrases, or remote device access
- Claims of special access to government agents, exchanges, or frozen wallets
- Pressure to act immediately or keep the process secret
Verify independently
Do not use contact information supplied in the approach. Locate the organisation through an independent official source, verify professional licences where relevant, and search for warnings or complaints. Stop communicating if the identity cannot be confirmed.
Official sources and further reading
This article is original CyberRecovery educational content informed by the official resources below.