Lost money in a
cryptocurrency scam?

A fake trading platform, investment contact or online relationship may have persuaded you to buy or transfer cryptocurrency. The final wallet transfer is only part of the story. We need to understand where the money originally came from to assess whether our service may help.

Check whether we can help

You can start without gathering every document. If your enquiry goes forward, payment records and other evidence will help with the assessment.

The initial check is free. If your claim succeeds, Consumer Rights Solicitors charges 15-30% plus VAT of compensation awarded, equivalent to 18-36% including VAT at the current standard rate. The applicable fee and terms are explained before you instruct the firm. Our fees

Crypto scams

What matters in a crypto scam

1

Start with how you funded the cryptocurrency

Tell us whether you paid from a bank account, used a debit or credit card, or sent crypto you already held. Include any exchange used between your bank and the final transfer. Moving money through your own accounts or an exchange must not count the same loss twice. The supported assessment route depends on the original payments and the circumstances.
2

Separate money paid from balances shown on a platform

A dashboard may show profits that were never real or available to withdraw. For assessment, identify the money you actually sent and any withdrawals or refunds received. A blocked withdrawal alone does not establish fraud; explain what happened and any reason you were given.
3

Keep the records that connect the payments

Useful records can include bank/card statements, exchange purchase history, transfer references, wallet transaction records, messages and the platform’s withdrawal responses. You can start with what you know and discuss missing records later.

Common crypto scams

  • Fake trading platforms: a professional-looking site shows your balance growing and early small withdrawals may work. Then you are asked to pay a fee or “tax” before you can withdraw.
  • Romance and friendship scams: someone builds trust over weeks on a messaging or dating app before introducing an investment.
  • Wallet and account theft: fake websites, apps or messages ask for your login, recovery phrase or private keys. No genuine service needs them.

Be wary of crypto “recovery” offers

Criminals often contact people who have lost crypto, offering to trace and return it for an upfront fee. Some claim to be investigators, law firms or regulators. Genuine organisations do not ask for an upfront fee to recover money lost to fraud.

Tracing a wallet is not the same as getting money back: knowing where crypto went does not make anyone return it.

Where recovery routes usually start

  • The payment that funded the purchase: most crypto scams start with a bank transfer or card payment. A complaint to that bank, and where eligible the Financial Ombudsman Service, looks at those payments.
  • The exchange: if funds are still on an exchange, report the scam to it quickly through its own fraud process.
  • The police: report it through Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland on 101, and keep wallet addresses and transaction IDs.
Simple process

Start with a clear next step

1

Answer the initial questions

Tell us what happened and how you paid so we can check whether further assessment may be appropriate.

2

Understand the outcome

Your enquiry may go to assessment, need specialist review, or receive guidance on another next step. Screening does not guarantee acceptance.

3

Prepare for the conversation

Where offered, you can add more information and payment records to help prepare for your assessment. This is optional and can be completed later.

Legal representation begins only if Consumer Rights Solicitors accepts the case and you agree to its terms.

Check whether we can help
Fees

Understand the costs before deciding

Fees

The initial check is free. If your claim succeeds, Consumer Rights Solicitors charges 15-30% plus VAT of compensation awarded, equivalent to 18-36% including VAT at the current standard rate. The applicable fee and terms are explained before you instruct the firm. UndoFraud does not charge you for using its enquiry service and receives a referral fee from Consumer Rights Solicitors.

You have a choice

You can make a complaint to your bank or payment provider yourself. Where eligible, you can also ask the Financial Ombudsman Service to consider it for free. Using our managed service is optional.
Our feesWhat no win no fee meansPursuing a complaint yourself

Questions and answers

Yes, describe the original funding and transfer journey. We need those facts before determining whether the service is suitable.

Related guidance
Official sources

Understand the next step for your situation

Start with the initial questions so we can understand what happened and whether further assessment may be appropriate.

Check whether we can help