Last updated: October 23, 2026
To report a crypto scam, act fast: save every piece of evidence (transaction IDs, wallet addresses, website URLs, chats, screenshots), report to your local police and national fraud or cybercrime reporting service, notify the issuer if stablecoins like USDT or USDC were involved so they can freeze them, and report the scam site, ads and accounts to the platforms hosting them. Crypto transfers can't be reversed, but quick reports sometimes lead to frozen funds — and always help warn others. Never pay anyone who offers to "recover" your money for a fee.
- Hours matter for stablecoin freezes
- 5 places to report
- 1 evidence file to prepare first
- 0 recovery fees to pay
Where to report at a glance
| Where | Why |
|---|---|
| Local police / national cybercrime unit | Official record; needed for investigations and insurance |
| National fraud reporting service | Aggregates cases; links your report to others |
| Stablecoin issuer (Tether, Circle) | Can freeze USDT/USDC at the scammer's address |
| Exchange that received the funds | May freeze an account if the scammer used a regulated exchange |
| Website host, domain registrar, social platform, app store | Takes the scam site, ads or accounts down |
Step 1: collect the evidence
- Transaction IDs for every payment — see how to find a TXID.
- Addresses: yours and the receiving ones, with the network (TRC-20, ERC-20…).
- URLs of the scam site, any app, and where you found it.
- Conversations: export chats; screenshot profiles and usernames.
- Timeline: dates, amounts, what you were promised.
Step 2: report quickly
- Stablecoins first: if USDT or USDC went to the scammer, contact the issuer immediately — see can Tether freeze USDT.
- Police and fraud centre next, with your evidence file.
- Platforms: report the site to its host and registrar, and the accounts to the social network or messenger.
- Community: post a factual warning where others will see it — forums, review sites, directories. On notkyc, listed services carry public incidents and user reports.
Step 3: protect yourself afterwards
- Stop all payments — "unlock fees" and "taxes" to withdraw are part of the scam (pig butchering).
- Secure your wallet if you shared a seed or signed something — see seed compromised and wallet drainers.
- Ignore recovery offers: people who contact victims promising recovery for a fee are almost always running a second scam.
- Learn the signs for next time: how to spot a fake exchange.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report a crypto scam?
Gather evidence (TXIDs, addresses, URLs, chats), then report to the police and your national fraud service, notify the stablecoin issuer or receiving exchange, and report the site and accounts to their platforms.
Can I get my crypto back after a scam?
Rarely, because transfers can't be reversed. Stablecoins can sometimes be frozen and returned if reported quickly, and funds that reach a regulated exchange may be seized.
Are crypto recovery services real?
Services that contact you and ask for an upfront fee to recover stolen crypto are almost always scams. Legitimate recovery happens through law enforcement and issuers.
What evidence do I need?
Transaction IDs, all wallet addresses and networks, website URLs, chat exports, screenshots and a timeline of what happened.
Should I report even small amounts?
Yes. Small reports help authorities connect cases and help platforms take scams down before others lose money.
Stay with services that have public records: no-KYC track record, most trusted exchanges or are no-KYC swaps safe. No account, no ID, no logs.