How to Report a Crypto Scam
In the U.S., report a crypto scam to the FBI at ic3.gov and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, tell the exchanges involved as quickly as possible, and send investment-fraud tips to the SEC or CFTC. Keep every transaction ID and message, and never pay anyone who offers to recover your crypto.
Last verified: · Sources: FBI IC3, FTC, SEC, CFTC
Step by step: what to do after a crypto scam
Stop sending money
Do not pay any "tax", "fee" or "deposit" to unlock a withdrawal. Stop replying to the scammer, but do not delete the conversation.
Secure what you still have
If you shared a seed phrase or signed a suspicious approval, move remaining funds to a new wallet with a new recovery phrase and revoke token approvals. Change passwords and switch exchange logins to an authenticator app or security key.
Collect the evidence
Save transaction IDs, the wallet addresses involved, the website or app name, screenshots and all messages, plus a short timeline of what happened.
Report to the FBI at ic3.gov
File a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Include every transaction ID and address. People aged 60 or older can get help filing from the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
Report to the FTC
File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. It is shared with law enforcement agencies across the country.
Tell the exchanges involved
Contact the support team of the exchange you sent from, and of the receiving exchange if you know it. They can sometimes freeze funds still in an account they control.
Report investment fraud to regulators
If the scam involved an investment, token sale or trading platform, send a tip to the SEC (sec.gov/tcr) or CFTC (cftc.gov/complaint) and contact your state securities regulator.
Warn others
Optionally add the scam address or website to Chainabuse so other people checking it see a warning. This does not replace an official report.
Ignore recovery offers
Expect messages offering to recover your crypto for a fee, sometimes from people claiming to be the FBI, IC3 or a law firm. These are scams. Government agencies do not charge to recover funds.
Evidence to keep
- Transaction IDs (hashes) for every payment, with dates, amounts and the coin or token.
- The wallet addresses you sent to and the address you sent from.
- The website address (URL), app name and any download links. Do not revisit the site.
- Screenshots of the platform dashboard, balances and withdrawal errors.
- Chat logs, emails, text messages, usernames and phone numbers used by the scammer.
- Exchange account statements and crypto ATM receipts.
- A short timeline in your own words: first contact, each payment, when you realised.
A transaction ID (hash) is the long string your wallet or exchange shows for each transfer. Investigators use it to trace where the funds went.
Where to report
You can and should file with more than one agency. Each report reaches different investigators.
United States
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)(opens in a new tab)
The main U.S. federal channel for online and crypto fraud. Include wallet addresses, transaction IDs, amounts and dates.
Use when: Any crypto fraud loss or attempted fraud in the U.S.
- FTC ReportFraud(opens in a new tab)
Feeds the Consumer Sentinel database used by law enforcement nationwide.
Use when: Scams, impersonation, romance and investment fraud.
- SEC Tips, Complaints and Referrals(opens in a new tab)
For fraud involving investments, offerings, trading platforms or market manipulation.
Use when: Fake investment platforms, token offerings, pump-and-dumps.
- CFTC tips and complaints(opens in a new tab)
For commodities and derivatives fraud, which includes many crypto trading schemes.
Use when: Crypto trading, forex-style and derivatives schemes.
- Your state securities regulator (NASAA directory)(opens in a new tab)
State regulators investigate unregistered offerings and advisers in their state.
Use when: Investment schemes promoted to you locally or by someone in your state.
- National Elder Fraud Hotline(opens in a new tab)
U.S. Department of Justice hotline (833-372-8311) that helps people aged 60+ report fraud.
Use when: The victim is 60 or older.
Outside the U.S.
- Report Fraud (UK)(opens in a new tab)
The UK’s national fraud reporting service, which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025.
Use when: You are in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre(opens in a new tab)
Canada’s central fraud reporting service.
Use when: You are in Canada.
Elsewhere, contact your national police fraud unit or financial regulator.
Warn other users
- Chainabuse(opens in a new tab)
Public report that warns other users about the address or site. Not a law-enforcement report.
Use when: In addition to the official reports above.
Submitting a report to Bitcoinvestments
Our community report form needs an account, and accounts are coming soon. A report here would warn other readers but is not a law-enforcement report, so file with the agencies above first.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I report a crypto scam in the United States?
File a complaint with the FBI at ic3.gov and with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the scam involved an investment or trading platform, also send a tip to the SEC (sec.gov/tcr) or the CFTC (cftc.gov/complaint), and contact your state securities regulator.
Will reporting get my money back?
Reporting does not guarantee recovery, but it is the only route that can lead to one. Law enforcement uses reports to trace funds, freeze assets at exchanges and build cases. In some cases seized funds are later returned to victims through a court process.
Should I pay a company that says it can recover my crypto?
No. The FBI warns that fake law firms and people impersonating IC3 staff target crypto scam victims with recovery offers. The IC3 does not charge to recover funds and does not refer victims to paid recovery companies. IC3 recorded more than 10,500 recovery-scam complaints in 2025, with about $1.4 billion in losses.
What information should I include in a scam report?
Transaction IDs, wallet addresses, amounts and dates for every payment; the website or app used; screenshots; and all messages with the scammer, including usernames and phone numbers. A short written timeline helps investigators.
Should I tell the exchange I sent the money from?
Yes, and quickly. Contact the support team of the exchange you sent from, and of the receiving exchange if you know it. Exchanges can sometimes freeze funds that are still in an account they control.
Learn the patterns
See how pig butchering, fake platforms, wallet drainers, address poisoning and other scams work in our guide to common crypto scam types.