📥 Free Scam Report
Updated Feb 2026 — FBI IC3 · FTC · Chainalysis
Victim Action Guide

How to Report
a Crypto Scam

Reporting a crypto scam is one of the most important actions you can take after becoming a victim — yet fewer than 15% of victims ever file a report. This guide tells you exactly what to report, where to report it, and what realistically happens after. Every step is backed by documented case data.

15% of victims ever file an official report
$9.9B in crypto fraud losses reported in 2024
72h critical window for best outcome
Quick Navigation
1 Before you report — collect evidence ›
2 What information to include ›
3 Where to report — by country ›
4 Report on the blockchain itself ›
5 What happens after you report ›
6 Pro tips to maximise impact ›
7 Reporting myths — debunked ›
⏱
Speed matters enormously — file your first report within 24 hours
Bank wire recall windows close in 24–48 hours. Exchange compliance teams can freeze wallets fastest when reports are fresh. Law enforcement investigations are more likely to open on recent cases. The sooner you report, the more options remain open.
Report to FBI IC3 Now ↗
Step 01

Before You File a Report:
Do These 6 Things First

A report with no evidence achieves very little. A report with a full evidence package can trigger fraud investigations, exchange wallet freezes, and fund recovery proceedings. Spend 30 minutes on this first — it multiplies the impact of every report you file.

🛑 Stop all transfers now
Close the platform. Block the contact on every app. Do not respond to any further messages. No fee you pay will release any funds — every additional payment is a new theft.
📸 Screenshot everything immediately
All chat messages with timestamps, the platform URL and full dashboard, wallet addresses, transaction confirmations, any emails. Scammers take platforms offline within hours of being identified.
⛓ Save all transaction IDs
Every crypto transaction has a unique hash (txID) visible on the blockchain explorer. Copy and save every transaction ID. These are the core of any law enforcement blockchain trace.
🏦 Call your bank's fraud line
Do this in parallel with evidence collection. If any transfers were via bank or card, call the fraud department immediately — not general customer service. Ask about wire recall and chargeback options.
📊 Calculate total losses precisely
Create a detailed spreadsheet: date, amount, payment method, currency, exchange rate at time of transfer, running total in USD. Precise figures strengthen every report you file — and are required for tax loss claims.
📝 Write a timeline narrative
Write 1–2 pages: when you were first contacted, how the relationship developed, when crypto was first mentioned, every payment made and why. This becomes the core of your law enforcement submission and any legal claim.
📂 Store evidence in two separate locations: a cloud folder (Google Drive, Dropbox) AND a physical backup — printed screenshots or a USB drive kept somewhere secure. Scammers have, in some cases, targeted victims' cloud accounts to destroy evidence.
Step 02

What to Include in Every Report

The quality and completeness of your report determines whether investigators can take action. Every reporting agency — FBI, FTC, Action Fraud — accepts the same core evidence package. Build it once and submit it everywhere.

Evidence Package

The more complete your package, the more likely your report triggers an active investigation rather than being filed and closed.

10
📅
Chronological timeline of events
When first contact was made, how it developed, when crypto was introduced, dates of every payment. Include specific dates and approximate times.
👤
Scammer identity information
Every name, username, phone number, email, and profile used. Include reverse image search results if the profile photos matched a real person's identity.
🌐
Platform details
Full URL of the fraudulent platform, any app names, login pages, and dashboard screenshots. Include any company name, registration number, or address the site claimed.
💸
Transaction records
Every transaction hash (txID), sending and receiving wallet addresses, amounts in crypto and USD equivalent, timestamps of confirmations. Pull these from your exchange account and blockchain explorer.
💬
All communications
Screenshots of every message, email, and call log. Include platform, username, and timestamp for each. WhatsApp, Telegram, dating app messages, email threads — all of it.
🏦
Bank and payment records
Bank transfer confirmations, credit/debit card statements showing crypto purchases, exchange receipts, any wire transfer references. Your bank's fraud team will need these anyway.
📱
Apps and software
If you downloaded a trading app, preserve it — do not delete. Take screenshots of every screen. If it appeared in an official app store, note the exact listing name and developer.
💰
Total loss calculation
The precise total in USD (or your local currency) at the time of each transfer. Include exchange rates if needed. Separate amount sent vs. additional fees paid in "withdrawal tax" demands.
🗺
Blockchain trace map
A visual flow chart of how funds moved from your wallet through subsequent wallets, generated using free tools like Breadcrumbs.app or Metasleuth.io. This is powerful supporting evidence for any investigation.
📋
Any physical or in-person elements
If you used a Bitcoin ATM, include the location, date, receipt, and operator name. If you were instructed to send cash or gift cards at any point, document that separately — it may open additional fraud category claims.
Step 03

Where to Report a Crypto Scam — by Country

File reports with every applicable agency below. More reports mean more investigative pressure — and combined reports are what triggers federal task force action. Each agency serves a different purpose; none of them are redundant.

Priority order: The agencies marked FIRST REPORT should be filed within 24 hours. All others as soon as possible — there is no time limit for most reporting agencies.
🇺🇸
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Federal · Primary Crypto Fraud Agency
🚨 First Report

The FBI's dedicated internet fraud reporting portal is the single most important report to file for US victims. IC3 feeds directly into the FBI's Crypto Recovery Asset Team (CRAT) and the Virtual Assets Unit. Your report contributes to pattern analysis used to open major investigations.

What happens: Reports are reviewed by analysts, cross-referenced with other cases, and referred to FBI field offices for investigation. High-value cases are prioritised. The FBI has used IC3 data to seize over $1 billion in stolen crypto and extradite overseas operators.
File at ic3.gov ↗
01 File First
🇺🇸
FTC — ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Federal · Consumer Protection
File Same Day

The Federal Trade Commission's consumer fraud portal feeds into the Consumer Sentinel Network — accessed by over 2,800 law enforcement agencies nationwide. FTC reports are separate from IC3 and serve different investigative and statistical purposes. File both.

Also useful for: FTC reports can support consumer protection claims against financial institutions and crypto exchanges that failed to implement adequate fraud controls.
File at reportfraud.ftc.gov ↗
02 File Same Day
🇺🇸
CFTC — Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Federal · Crypto Derivatives & Fraud
File Within 48h

The CFTC has jurisdiction over cryptocurrency fraud and manipulation, particularly for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital commodities. The CFTC's whistleblower program offers financial rewards of 10–30% of sanctions collected in eligible cases over $1 million.

Whistleblower note: If your case involves a large operation, the CFTC Whistleblower Program at cftc.gov/whistleblower may entitle you to a financial award if sanctions exceed $1M.
File at cftc.gov/complaint ↗
03 48 Hours
🇺🇸
SEC — Investor Complaint Center
Federal · Securities Fraud
If Token/Securities Involved

Report to the SEC if the scam involved tokens, investment contracts, or anything that could be classified as a security. The SEC has brought hundreds of enforcement actions against crypto fraud — and its Whistleblower Program has paid out over $1 billion in awards since 2012.

File at sec.gov/tcr ↗
04 If Applicable
🇺🇸
Your State Attorney General
State Level · Consumer Fraud
Within 1 Week

State AGs have independent authority to pursue consumer fraud and can sometimes move faster than federal agencies on clear-cut cases. They also maintain state-level fraud databases and can coordinate with local police departments on investigations.

Find Your State AG ↗
05 Within 1 Week
🇬🇧
Action Fraud
UK · National Fraud & Cybercrime Reporting
🚨 First Report

The UK's national fraud reporting centre. Reports are assessed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and passed to appropriate police forces. You'll receive a crime reference number needed for all insurance claims and bank APP fraud reimbursements.

APP Fraud: UK banks are now legally required to reimburse most Authorised Push Payment fraud under PSR 2024 rules — but you need an Action Fraud crime reference number to claim. File immediately.
Report at actionfraud.police.uk ↗
01File First
🇬🇧
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) — ScamSmart
UK · Financial Regulator
File Same Day

The FCA maintains the UK's Financial Services Register and investigates unregulated financial businesses. Reporting a fraudulent platform to the FCA can result in public warnings, website blocking, and regulatory action against any UK-connected operators.

Report at FCA ↗
02Same Day
🇬🇧
Your Bank — APP Fraud Claim
UK · Mandatory Reimbursement Scheme
Within 13 Months

Under Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) rules effective October 2024, UK banks must reimburse most APP fraud victims up to £85,000. Contact your bank's fraud team with your Action Fraud crime reference number. Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act also applies to credit card crypto purchases.

UK Finance guidance ↗
0313 Months
🇳🇬
EFCC — Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
Nigeria · Primary Financial Crime Agency
🚨 First Report

Nigeria's primary financial crime enforcement agency. The EFCC actively prosecutes cryptocurrency fraud and has extradition agreements with multiple countries. You can file a petition online or visit any EFCC zonal office. Include all evidence documentation.

How to report: Visit efcc.gov.ng and click "Report a Case" or visit your nearest zonal office. Bring printouts of all evidence. You can also report via their petition email or WhatsApp official line.
Report at efcc.gov.ng ↗
01File First
🇳🇬
Nigeria Police Force — Cybercrime Unit
Nigeria · Law Enforcement
File Same Day

The NPF's Cybercrime Unit handles digital fraud including cryptocurrency scams. Filing with both EFCC and the police creates parallel investigation tracks and strengthens any civil claim you may pursue.

Visit npf.gov.ng ↗
02Same Day
🇳🇬
CBN — Central Bank of Nigeria
Nigeria · Financial Regulator
If Bank Transfer Involved

If the scam involved bank transfers, report to the CBN's Consumer Protection Department. The CBN can direct Nigerian banks to investigate transactions and may be able to flag or freeze destination accounts if action is taken quickly.

Visit CBN Consumer Protection ↗
0348 Hours
🇦🇺
Scamwatch — ACCC
Australia · Consumer Commission
🚨 First Report

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's dedicated scam reporting platform. Scamwatch data feeds into the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) which coordinates response across government agencies and financial institutions.

Report at scamwatch.gov.au ↗
01File First
🇦🇺
ReportCyber — Australian Cyber Security Centre
Australia · Cybercrime
Same Day

The Australian Federal Police's cybercrime reporting portal. For crypto scams with a digital/online element — which is virtually all of them — file here in parallel with Scamwatch. Reports can be escalated to AFP operations.

Report at cyber.gov.au ↗
02Same Day
🇦🇺
AFCA — Australian Financial Complaints Authority
Australia · Bank Complaints
If Bank Involved

If your Australian bank failed to flag suspicious transactions or implement adequate fraud controls, AFCA can investigate and order compensation. Free to use. File after your bank has had an opportunity to respond to your direct complaint.

Report at afca.org.au ↗
03After Bank Response
🇨🇦
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
Canada · Primary Fraud Agency
🚨 First Report

Canada's central repository for fraud and cybercrime information. The CAFC works with the RCMP and provides intelligence to law enforcement agencies across Canada. Reports contribute to national and international fraud investigations.

Report at CAFC ↗
01File First
🇨🇦
FINTRAC & OSC (Ontario) / AMF (Quebec)
Canada · Financial Regulators
File Within 48h

FINTRAC handles money laundering reporting. Provincial securities commissions (OSC in Ontario, AMF in Quebec) handle investment fraud. If the scam involved unregistered securities or investment products, file with the relevant provincial regulator.

Report at OSC ↗
0248 Hours
🌍
Chainabuse.com
Global · Blockchain Wallet Reporting
🚨 File Immediately

Report the specific crypto wallet addresses used by scammers on Chainabuse — a public database accessed by exchanges, blockchain analytics firms, and law enforcement. When multiple victims report the same address, exchanges receive automated alerts to freeze those wallets. This is the fastest way to potentially stop additional victims.

Report at chainabuse.com ↗
01Immediate
🌍
Report the Scam App Store Listing
Global · Apple / Google
File Same Day

If the scam used a mobile app, report it directly to the app store where you found it. Both Apple and Google have fraud reporting mechanisms and can remove apps, preventing additional victims. On iOS: scroll to the app listing, tap "Report a Problem." On Android: open the app in Play Store, tap the three dots, "Flag as inappropriate."

Google Play reporting ↗
02Same Day
🌍
Global Anti-Scam Organisation (GASO)
Global · Survivor Community & Reporting
File + Get Support

GASO maintains a public scam database and provides free support to victims worldwide. Reporting here adds your case to the global intelligence database used by researchers, journalists, and law enforcement studying pig butchering and other organised crypto fraud networks.

Report at globalantiscam.org ↗
03+ Support
🌍
Interpol — Via Local Police
Global · Cross-Border Crime
For Large Cases

For scams clearly linked to international criminal organisations — pig butchering compounds, large-scale fraud rings — file a report with your local police and explicitly request they forward to Interpol's Financial Crimes unit. Interpol coordinates multi-country operations against these networks.

Interpol reporting info ↗
04Large Cases
Step 04

Report on the Blockchain Itself

Beyond government agencies, reporting scammer wallet addresses on public blockchain platforms can trigger exchange-level freezes and contribute to law enforcement blockchain traces — sometimes the most impactful action you can take.

🆓
Free Tools — Report Addresses Publicly
Anyone can use — no technical knowledge needed
Chainabuse.com
Report any wallet address. Reports shared with exchanges + law enforcement. Supports Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, BNB, Polygon, more.
Etherscan Report
Flag any Ethereum address directly on etherscan.io. Your flag is visible to anyone researching that address — warns future victims.
Bitcoinabuse.com
Specifically for Bitcoin addresses. Widely referenced by exchanges and used in blockchain forensics to flag known fraud wallets.
Breadcrumbs.app
Free visual blockchain tracing. Map how funds moved from your wallet through subsequent addresses. Export as image for reports.
📮
Report to the Exchange That Holds the Funds
Can trigger wallet freezes — act within 72 hours

If you can trace the scammer's wallet to a regulated exchange (visible on blockchain explorer), contact that exchange's compliance department directly. Many exchanges will freeze wallets reported within the first 72 hours if accompanied by a police report or law enforcement reference number.

Binance
support.binance.com/hc/en-us — "Report Suspicious Activity" — include txID, wallet address, police report reference
Coinbase
help.coinbase.com — "Report Fraud" — Coinbase has a dedicated law enforcement response team that processes exchange compliance requests
Kraken / OKX / Bybit
All major regulated exchanges have compliance contact forms. Search "[exchange name] report fraud compliance" for direct links.
Via Your Law Enforcement Report
FBI IC3 and Action Fraud have direct exchange liaison programs — an official report triggers compliance outreach that individual reports cannot.
✅ How this leads to freezes: When multiple victims report the same wallet address on Chainabuse and that address receives exchanges' compliance alerts, many exchanges will voluntarily freeze the wallet pending investigation. The FBI's Crypto Recovery Asset Team has relationships with all major exchanges and can request freezes through official channels — another reason your IC3 report matters.
What to Expect

What Happens After You Report

Understanding what happens after you report manages expectations and explains why reporting is valuable even when individual recovery is unlikely.

1
Report Received & Logged
Your report enters the national fraud database within 24–72 hours. You receive a confirmation and case reference number.
2
Pattern Analysis
Analysts cross-reference your report with similar cases. Matching wallet addresses, platform names, and contact methods trigger investigation flags.
3
Case Prioritisation
Cases with strong evidence, high losses, or links to known criminal networks are prioritised for active investigation. Most cases are filed; major patterns are pursued.
4
Exchange Outreach
Law enforcement contacts exchanges holding identified wallets. In active investigations, court orders can freeze crypto assets — sometimes recovering funds for victims.
⚠️ Realistic expectations: Most individual reports do not result in personal fund recovery. But your report contributes directly to pattern data that triggers major investigations. The FBI's 2023 Operation Level Up recovered $30M and disrupted pig butchering networks using aggregated IC3 report data. Every report matters — even if yours doesn't lead to personal recovery.
Maximise Your Report's Impact

8 Tips That Dramatically Improve Your Report

These details are rarely included but make the difference between a report that's filed and one that triggers action.

🔗
Include the full blockchain transaction path — not just your wallet
Use Breadcrumbs.app or Metasleuth.io to trace funds from your wallet through all subsequent hops. A multi-hop trace showing funds flowing through a mixer and into an exchange address is far more actionable evidence than a single transaction ID.
🔍
Do a reverse image search on every profile photo and include the results
Use Google Images, TinEye, and Yandex on every photo the scammer used. If the images match a real person's identity (a photographer, model, or professional), include this in your report — it helps investigators identify stolen identity patterns across multiple cases.
📌
Report the app to the App Store and the website to ICANN / Google Safe Browsing
Beyond law enforcement, report the scam website to Google Safe Browsing (safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish) — this triggers a warning for all Chrome users visiting the site, protecting future victims. Report domain abuse to the registrar via ICANN's WHOIS lookup.
🤝
Connect with other victims of the same scam before filing
Search the scam platform name on Reddit r/Scams and Global Anti-Scam Org. If other victims exist, coordinating your reports means multiple cases pointing to the same wallet addresses, platform, and operators — the threshold for federal task force action is often a pattern, not a single case.
📄
Request an official case reference number and keep it safe
Every report should yield a case reference number. This number is required for: bank APP fraud reimbursement claims, insurance claims, tax loss deductions (consult a CPA), and any civil legal action. Follow up if you don't receive one within 48 hours of filing.
💰
Ask your CPA about a theft loss deduction
In the United States, some crypto fraud losses may qualify for theft loss tax deductions — but only if you have an official case number from FBI IC3 or local law enforcement. The rules changed under TCJA 2017 and are complex — consult a crypto-specialised CPA. In the UK, HMRC allows capital loss claims for certain fraud scenarios.
⚠️
Report any "recovery service" that contacts you afterwards
After filing a report, scammers often send "crypto recovery agents" who claim they can retrieve your funds for an upfront fee. These are secondary scams that exploit fresh victims. Report every one to the same agencies — they are a separate, additional crime and agencies want to know about them.
📰
Consider sharing your story with journalists covering crypto fraud
Publications like the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and the BBC actively investigate crypto fraud rings and regularly work with victim sources. Investigative journalists can sometimes surface information and create pressure that accelerates law enforcement action. Your anonymity can be protected throughout.
Myths vs Facts

Why People Don't Report — And Why They're Wrong

85% of crypto fraud victims never file a report. Most are stopped by misconceptions that scammers — and sometimes well-meaning friends — actively reinforce. Here's the truth.

❌
Myth
"The scammer is overseas — police can't do anything."
✅
Fact
The FBI has extradited and convicted crypto fraud operators from Southeast Asia, Europe, and West Africa. International cooperation agreements exist specifically for this. Aggregated reports from IC3 have directly triggered cross-border operations.
❌
Myth
"I'm too embarrassed. Everyone will know I was scammed."
✅
Fact
Every fraud report is confidential. The FBI, FTC, and Action Fraud do not publicise individual case details. You are never identified in published statistics. Reporting is completely private.
❌
Myth
"Crypto is untraceable — reporting is pointless."
✅
Fact
Blockchain transactions are permanently public. The FBI's CRAT unit has seized over $1 billion in stolen crypto using blockchain analytics. Chainalysis can trace funds through mixers and multiple hops with high accuracy.
❌
Myth
"My case is too small. They only care about big losses."
✅
Fact
Individual cases are cross-referenced to identify criminal networks operating across thousands of victims. Your $5,000 loss may be linked to $50 million in other cases — and your report provides the evidence thread that ties them together.
❌
Myth
"I authorised the transfers, so it wasn't really a crime."
✅
Fact
Authorisation obtained through deception is legally fraud in every jurisdiction. "Authorised" push payment fraud is a criminal offence. UK banks must reimburse it. The FTC categorises it as fraud regardless of whether you initiated the transfer.
❌
Myth
"I should wait until I've tried to get my money back first."
✅
Fact
Waiting destroys your options. Wire recalls close in 24–48 hours. Exchange freeze requests are most effective within 72 hours. Evidence disappears. File reports immediately — in parallel with, not after, other recovery attempts.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Investigations vary enormously based on case complexity, evidence quality, and whether international coordination is required. Simple cases with clear domestic jurisdiction can move in months. Cross-border operations involving overseas criminal organisations typically take 2–5 years from report to prosecution. The FBI's Operation Wire Wire and Operation Level Up each took 18+ months of investigation. Don't wait for resolution before seeking emotional and financial support.
Directly — rarely. Your best individual recovery options are bank chargebacks (credit card within 60–120 days), bank wire recalls (within 24–48 hours), or UK APP fraud reimbursement (within 13 months). These require official case numbers from your report. Indirectly — possibly. Law enforcement fund seizures occasionally result in victim restitution funds. In 2023, seized crypto from several pig butchering operations was partially distributed to identifiable victims who had filed IC3 reports.
No. All government fraud reporting portals (IC3, FTC, Action Fraud, EFCC, Scamwatch) are free to use and designed for direct consumer filing — no lawyer required. A lawyer becomes relevant if you're pursuing civil litigation (suing the scammer or a negligent exchange), if your losses exceed $50,000 and you want to explore asset freezing orders, or if you're considering a whistleblower claim with the SEC or CFTC. For those situations, specialised crypto fraud attorneys are worth consulting — most offer free initial calls.
Most agencies accept anonymous reports, but anonymous reports carry less investigative weight and won't generate a case reference number (which you need for bank claims and tax deductions). The FTC and IC3 accept fully anonymous reports. Action Fraud accepts anonymous reports but cannot provide a reference number without contact details. For blockchain reporting (Chainabuse, Etherscan), no personal information is required at all — just the wallet address and a description of the fraud.
For government agencies (IC3, FTC, Action Fraud), there is generally no hard time limit for filing a report — though older cases receive less investigative attention. For bank chargebacks and APP fraud claims, time limits are strict: credit card chargebacks typically 60–120 days, debit card disputes 13 months (UK), wire recalls 24–48 hours. For civil litigation, statutes of limitations vary by jurisdiction but are typically 3–6 years for fraud. File government reports as soon as possible regardless — even old reports contribute to pattern data.
Still report — on several levels. File IC3/FTC/Action Fraud reports with all the wallet addresses and transaction data you have. Report wallet addresses to Chainabuse.com and relevant blockchain explorers. If a token or DeFi protocol was involved, report to the SEC (if it could be classified as a security) and any DeFi security firms like Immunefi who maintain threat intelligence. For rug pulls, post on Reddit r/Scams and specific DeFi communities — coordinated public reporting often surfaces the developers' real identities through community investigation.
More Resources

Continue Your Recovery Journey

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15 pages of data-backed analysis — all 7 scam types, 6 charts, real case studies, a full red flag checklist, and a global reporting directory in one document.

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This guide covers: how to report a crypto scam · report bitcoin fraud FBI · where to report cryptocurrency scam · crypto fraud report UK Action Fraud · report crypto scam to FTC · how to report pig butchering scam · report blockchain fraud · crypto scam report Nigeria EFCC · how to report fake crypto exchange · file crypto fraud complaint · report crypto scam Australia Scamwatch · cryptocurrency fraud reporting agencies. Sources: FBI IC3 2023 Annual Report · FTC Consumer Sentinel · Action Fraud · EFCC · ACCC Scamwatch · Chainabuse · Global Anti-Scam Organisation.