What to do if you sent crypto to a scammer
Crypto transactions are usually irreversible, but reporting quickly can still help and protects others.
Quick answer
Crypto transactions are usually irreversible, but reporting quickly can still help and protects others.
- Stop sending any further funds
- Record the wallet addresses and transaction IDs
- Report to the exchange you used
- Report to your fraud authority
Do this now
Contact the exchange or platform you used to send the crypto.
Understanding what happened
Crypto transfers are designed to be fast and final, so once you've sent funds to a scammer's wallet, there's usually no central authority that can reverse it the way a bank can recall a payment. That's hard to hear, but knowing it helps you avoid the second trap below.
Common setups include fake investment platforms showing 'profits' you can't withdraw, 'support' agents who ask for your seed phrase, and wallet-draining sites that empty everything once you connect and sign. If you shared your seed phrase, treat the whole wallet as compromised and move any remaining assets immediately.
Because losses are hard to recover, scammers often follow up posing as 'recovery experts' who can get your crypto back for a fee - this is a second scam. The steps below focus on what genuinely helps: securing what's left, recording the transaction details, and reporting to the right authorities and the exchange involved.
First 5 minutes
- Stop sending any further funds
- Record the wallet addresses and transaction IDs
- Report to the exchange you used
- Report to your fraud authority
First 24 hours
- Beware of recovery scams that target crypto victims
- Secure your wallet and seed phrase
- Document everything
- Warn others in any group involved
What not to do
- Do not pay anyone who promises to recover your money for an upfront fee
- Do not act on follow-up messages claiming to be the fraud team
- Do not delete evidence before saving it
Evidence to save
- Screenshots of the message and sender details
- Phone numbers, usernames, links, and account or wallet addresses
- Transaction references, receipts, and amounts
How to report
Report through official channels for your area.
Find official reporting links for your country in the reporting directory.
- Do not use phone numbers or links from the suspicious message - look up the official ones yourself.
- Report quickly if money was sent or ID documents were shared; speed improves your options.
- Keep your evidence - see how to save scam evidence.
Beware of recovery scams: no legitimate service guarantees getting your money back for an upfront fee.
This is general safety information, not legal, financial, or cybersecurity incident-response advice.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly should I act?
As soon as possible. Fast action - especially contacting your bank - gives the best chance of limiting harm or stopping a payment.
Will I get my money back?
Sometimes, if you act quickly, but there is no guarantee. Be very cautious of anyone who promises guaranteed recovery for an upfront fee - that is a recovery scam.