Recovery Agents and Fake Refunds After Fraud
After a scam, 'lawyers', 'hackers' and 'agencies' offer to recover your money for a fee. Why these offers are usually a second scam, and where real help comes from.
After losing money, a message arrives: "We specialise in recovering funds from online scams. Our team traced your money." Or a "government official" says your money has been found and can be returned after a fee. This is recovery fraud, and it targets people at their most vulnerable.
Common forms
- "Hackers" who claim they can reverse crypto or bank transfers.
- "Lawyers" or "agencies" guaranteeing recovery for an upfront fee.
- Fake officials from police, regulators or international bodies.
- The original scammers returning under a new name.
Red flags
- They contacted you first.
- Guaranteed results.
- Upfront fees, often in crypto or gift cards.
- Requests for access to your accounts or devices.
Real help does not cold-call you with a fee. Work with your bank, the police, regulators and professionals you find and check yourself.
Related: recovery scams, fake recovery services and can stolen crypto be recovered? For more, see what to do if money is taken.
Frequently asked questions
How do recovery scammers find me?
Through lists of previous victims, comments where you mentioned your loss, reviews, and sometimes the original scammers themselves.
Are all recovery services scams?
Many that contact you or advertise guaranteed recovery are. Legitimate help comes from your bank, the police, regulators and licensed lawyers you choose yourself.
They claim to be from a government agency. What should I do?
Hang up and contact the agency using its official website. Government bodies do not charge fees to return stolen money.
Sources
- Refund and Recovery Scams, US Federal Trade Commission
- What To Do if You Were Scammed, US Federal Trade Commission
- ScamSmart, UK Financial Conduct Authority
