How to Report a Crypto Scam — Step-by-Step Guide
Most victims never file a report — or file one that is too incomplete to trigger an investigation. This guide walks you through exactly what to prepare, where to submit it, and what to do next. It takes about 2–3 hours done properly. It is worth it.
Secure Your Evidence
Before anything else, preserve all evidence. Scammers frequently delete their accounts and communication history. Act within hours of reading this.
Export Your Conversations
- WhatsApp: Open chat → tap contact name → Export Chat → With Media. Save the .zip file to a safe location.
- Telegram: Open chat → ⋯ menu → Export Chat History. Select "JSON format" and include photos and files.
- Email: Forward all relevant emails to yourself and download as .eml or .pdf. Include full email headers.
- Social Media DMs: Screenshot every message. Use your phone's screen recording feature if threads are long.
Screenshot Scammer Profiles
- Profile photos, username, bio, and any linked websites or contact details
- Screenshots of the platform or "investment dashboard" they used
- Any advertisements, job postings, or dating profiles used to contact you
Stop all contact with the scammer. Continuing to communicate may alert them to delete evidence. Do not send any more money regardless of what they promise.
Gather Transaction Data
A transaction hash (also called a TXID or TxID) is the unique fingerprint of every blockchain transfer. Without it, law enforcement cannot trace your funds. You need one for every transfer you made to the scammer.
What Is a Transaction Hash?
When you send cryptocurrency, the blockchain records it permanently. The transaction hash is a long string of letters and numbers — for example: 0x3f2a8c...b19c. It is public, permanent, and traceable. From a single TXID, investigators can derive the date, amount, sender, and recipient — so that is all you need to provide.
Major Exchanges
- Coinbase: Activity → tap transaction → View on Blockchain
- Binance: Wallet → Transaction History → copy TXID column
- Kraken: History → Ledger → copy TXID link
- Bybit: Assets → Transaction History → tap transaction → copy TXID
- Crypto.com: Accounts → Crypto Wallet → tap transaction → View on Explorer
Common Wallets
- MetaMask: Activity tab → click transaction → View on Etherscan
- Trust Wallet: Transactions → tap transaction → View on Explorer
- Ledger Live: Accounts → tap transaction → block explorer link
- Exodus: Portfolio → select coin → click transaction → View on Explorer
- Coinbase Wallet: Activity → tap transaction → View on block explorer
- Binance Wallet: Activities → tap transaction → View on BscScan / Explorer
- OKX Wallet: Assets → History → tap transaction → copy TxHash
- Atomic Wallet: History tab → click transaction → View on Explorer
For Each Transaction Between You and the Scammer, Record:
That is all — date, amount, and wallet addresses can all be derived from the TXID.
Transaction hash (TXID / TxID)
The long alphanumeric string
Blockchain
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron, BNB, etc.
Organise in a Spreadsheet
Create a single Google Sheet (or Excel file) with one row per transaction. Two columns: TXID and Blockchain. This is exactly what investigators need, and it makes their job — and your case — much easier.
Use AI to Organize Your Case
You now have exported chats and transaction data. Before filing, use an AI assistant to extract and organize the key information. This saves hours of manual work and ensures you don't miss critical details like wallet addresses buried in screenshots.
Recommended AI Assistants
★ Recommended — paid Opus model supports file uploads + optional blockchain analysis connectors
GPT-4o (paid) handles large files well; free version may truncate long conversations
Google's AI — supports document uploads; Advanced (paid) handles larger files
xAI's model — strong reasoning; available on X Premium
If extraction fails on the free version, upgrade to a paid plan — free models often hit file size limits or truncate large chat exports. We recommend Claude Opus (paid) with blockchain connectors for the best results. If you are completely stuck, contact us for help.
How to Do This
- 1Open your chosen AI assistant (Claude recommended) in a browser.
- 2Drag and drop your exported chat files directly into the AI chat window. Most modern AI tools accept files, PDFs, and images this way — this is the preferred method because it preserves screenshots and image-based evidence that plain text would miss.
- 3If you have a large number of screenshots or media files, drag and drop the text export only (e.g. the .txt file from WhatsApp/Telegram export), and describe the screenshots separately in the chat.
- 4Copy the prompt below, paste it into the chat, and send. The AI will extract and organize everything.
- 5Save the AI's structured output as a document — you will use it when filing your report in Step 4.
Copy-Paste Prompt
I was a victim of a cryptocurrency scam and I need your help organizing my case information for a law enforcement report. I have attached my exported chat conversations and/or other evidence as files above. Please: 1. Summarize what happened in chronological order 2. Extract all cryptocurrency wallet addresses mentioned 3. Extract all transaction hashes/IDs mentioned 4. Identify the blockchain used for each transaction (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron, etc.) 5. List all identifiers of the scammer: usernames, phone numbers, email addresses, website URLs, social media profiles 6. Note any amounts mentioned and what currency they were in Please examine all attached files carefully, including any screenshots or images — important evidence such as wallet addresses and transaction IDs often appears in screenshots, not just text.
File Your Report
Use the organized information from the previous steps to submit your report. File with every country that applies to your case. If in doubt, always file with the FBI IC3 — they accept reports from anywhere in the world.
United States
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
What to Include
Full transaction details, wallet addresses, scammer contact info, exact dollar losses
Timeline
No guaranteed timeline. Complex cases assigned to field offices; can take months to years.
European Union
Europol — Report Cybercrime Online
What to Include
Case summary, transaction hashes, scammer identifiers, communication records. Also contact your national cybercrime unit.
Timeline
Europol coordinates cross-border operations. File here AND with your country's local police.
United Kingdom
Action Fraud
What to Include
How you were contacted, money sent, crypto addresses, transaction hashes
Timeline
You receive a reference number immediately. Investigation depends on case complexity.
Canada
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
What to Include
Full incident description, evidence of contact, transaction records
Timeline
CAFC collects intelligence; investigations handled by local police. File with both.
Australia
Scamwatch / ReportCyber
What to Include
Scam type, how you paid, contact details of the scammer, amount lost
Timeline
Cases reviewed within weeks. Serious fraud referred to AFP.
Brazil
SaferNet Brasil / Polícia Federal
What to Include
Descrição do incidente, registros de transações, dados de contato do golpista
Timeline
File with SaferNet and also report to your local Polícia Federal delegation.
All Other Countries
Interpol Cybercrime / FBI IC3
What to Include
File with IC3 regardless of country — they accept international reports. Then report to your national cybercrime unit.
Timeline
Search '[your country] cybercrime report' in your local language for the national agency.
After Filing
Filing is not the end — it is the beginning. Here is what to do once your report is submitted.
Save Your Reference Number
Every agency gives you a case or reference number. Save it immediately — you will need it for follow-ups, your bank, and any future reports.
Follow Up
If you don't hear back within 4–6 weeks, contact the agency using your reference number. Persistence matters.
Report to Additional Agencies
In the USA, also file with the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov). Report to your bank or exchange — some can freeze accounts or reverse transactions.
Never Pay for Recovery
Do not pay anyone who claims they can recover your funds. Recovery scams target fraud victims specifically. Law enforcement is free.
You did the hard part. Recovery is not guaranteed, but a proper report maximizes your chances and ensures criminals cannot continue targeting others with impunity.
Want to Make Sure You Filed Correctly?
Contact Scambulance — we can review your submission, ensure nothing was missed, and help with additional services depending on your situation:
- Verify your report is complete and correctly filed
- Urgent intervention if the crime was recent
- Blockchain tracing and transaction analysis
- Tax relief advice on crypto fraud losses
- Litigation support and legal coordination
Still Need Help?
If you are stuck at any point — or if your case is complex enough that you want expert eyes on it — Scambulance can step in. Submit your case and we will guide you through the process.
Submit Your CaseFree. No private keys. No upfront fees.