Victim guidance
After a crypto scam, the details are the evidence.
What the FBI asks victims to record and report — and why speed matters.
CRTrace editorial · 23.10.2026
Report without waiting
FBI guidance for cryptocurrency scam victims is direct: do not wait. Victims in the United States are asked to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or contact a local FBI field office. Victims elsewhere should report to their national police or fraud reporting service. A report is worth making even if some details are missing.
Transaction details come first
The most useful information is the transaction record: the cryptocurrency addresses involved, the amount and type of asset, the date and time, and the transaction ID (hash). These strings look random, which is why they should be copied exactly rather than retyped. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, include it.
Then the surrounding story
Record where and how you first met the scammer, your messages with them, and the names, email addresses and phone numbers they used. Note any websites or apps they told you to use, which exchanges you sent funds through, and a timeline of events. This context connects the on-chain record to what actually happened.
Be careful who you trust next
The same FBI guidance warns victims to be wary of anyone claiming they can recover funds, as this may be another scam. That warning applies to every recovery service, including us. A genuine firm will explain what it can and cannot do, never guarantee results, and never ask for seed phrases, passwords or payment through gift cards or messaging apps. You can check any contact claiming to be CRTrace on our verification page.