Someone says they can get back the money you lost. Can they?
A scam if they want money up front: the FTC says government agencies and legitimate organizations never charge to help you get a refund, and the FBI says law enforcement never charges victims to investigate.
The check
Answer these honestly. A single "yes" to a warning sign is enough to stop.
- Are they asking for a fee before you get anything back?The FTC says never pay up front for a refund or help getting one. Law enforcement doesn't charge victims to investigate, the FBI says.
- Did they contact you first?The FBI warns about unsolicited contact from law firms or recovery companies, especially if you haven't reported the original crime.
- Do they say they work with the FBI, FTC or another agency?The FBI says no law firms are authorized partners of US government agencies, and that the IC3 never refers people to recovery companies.
- Do they already know details of your loss?The FBI lists knowledge of your past transfer amounts, dates and the company you paid as a red flag. Scammers buy lists of past victims.
- Are you being told your money is at a foreign bank, or moved into a group chat?The FBI describes fake foreign bank platforms and WhatsApp groups with 'bank processors' and 'attorneys' that demand verification fees.
- Will they meet on camera and show a law license?The FBI suggests asking for video verification and a photo of the lawyer's license, and treating the firm as illegitimate if it's not readily provided.
If it's happening right now
Don't pay anything and don't send ID, bank details or seed phrases. Stop replying. If you think it might be real, look up the agency's or firm's contact details yourself and call. If you already paid, contact your bank or payment company today.
How this scam works
After you've lost money, often to a crypto investment scam, someone contacts you by call, email, text or social media, or you find their ad or website.
They say they're a law firm, a recovery or 'crypto tracing' company, a consumer group, or a government agency like the FTC or FBI, and may claim to work with regulators.
They may already know how much you lost, when and to whom. Scammers buy and trade lists of people who have paid scammers.
They ask for a 'retainer', 'processing fee', 'tax' or 'bank fee', or your bank details and ID to 'deposit' a refund.
After you pay, they stop answering or ask for more fees. You may be moved into group chats or a fake foreign bank where you must pay to 'release' the funds.
What AI changes
In July 2026 the FBI warned that scammers posing as FBI staff use AI-generated videos, including deepfakes of a senior FBI leader, and spoofed IC3 websites to draw in people who have already lost money.
What to do, step by step
- Stop paying.No retainer, tax, bank fee or 'release' fee. The FTC says paying a recovery scammer means losing more money.
- Verify independently.To check a government contact, look up the agency's number yourself. To check an FBI claim, the FBI says to call your local field office.
- If you already paid, act now.Follow the FTC's 'What To Do if You Were Scammed' steps for how you paid, and ask your bank, card company or payment service to stop or reverse it.
- If you shared ID or account numbers, protect your identity.The FTC warns that sharing personal information can lead to identity theft. IdentityTheft.gov has recovery steps.
- Report both scams.File at ic3.gov (typed in yourself) and ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and with your state attorney general. Include any contact from people offering recovery, the FBI says.
How big this is
Real cases
- United States. The FBI warned that scammers posing as FBI personnel were using deepfake videos of a senior FBI leader and spoofed IC3 sites to target people who had already lost money, offering to recover it. (FBI IC3)
- United States. The FBI warned that fake law firms were telling crypto scam victims they were on a government list of victims, citing made-up agencies such as an 'International Financial Trading Commission', and sending them to fake foreign bank platforms that demanded fees. (FBI IC3)
- United States. The FBI warned of companies falsely claiming they could recover crypto lost to investment scams, advertising in search results, videos and social media, then charging upfront fees and disappearing. (FBI IC3)
Where to report it
- The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov (type it in yourself; avoid sponsored search results)
- The FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Your state attorney general: look up your state attorney general's consumer protection office
- If you're 60 or over and need help reporting: the Justice Department's Elder Justice Hotline, 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311)
Questions people ask
Is there any legitimate way to get money back after a scam?
Sometimes, if you act fast through your bank, card company or payment service. The FTC's 'What To Do if You Were Scammed' explains the steps. Report to ic3.gov and the FTC. Victims can also pursue civil litigation, the FBI says, but private recovery firms can't issue seizure orders for crypto.
Does the FBI or IC3 ever contact victims to return money?
The FBI says the IC3 never contacts people directly by phone, email or social media, has no social media presence, and never asks for payment to recover funds. Any follow-up comes from an FBI field office or other law enforcement.
They knew exactly how much I lost. How?
Scammers buy and trade lists of people who have paid scammers, the FTC says, sometimes including how much you paid. They may even be the original scammers.
They sent me a check for more than I lost and asked me to send back the difference.
The FTC says this is always a scam. The check is fake, and you'd have to repay the bank.
How do I find the real IC3?
Type www.ic3.gov into your browser, check that it ends in .gov, and avoid sponsored search results, the FBI says.
Related
- Is my online partner's crypto tip a scam? →
- Is this celebrity investment video a scam? →
- Is this call from the IRS, Social Security or police a scam? →
- Is this AI trading bot or AI investment platform a scam? →
Sources
- FTC: Refund and recovery scams
- FTC: Have you lost money to a scam? Watch for scammers who say they can help (Aug 3, 2026)
- FBI IC3: FBI warns of scammers impersonating the IC3 (PSA I-072026, Jul 20, 2026)
- FBI IC3: Fictitious law firms targeting cryptocurrency scam victims (PSA I-081325, Aug 13, 2025)
- FBI IC3: Fictitious law firms targeting cryptocurrency scam victims offering to recover funds (PSA I-062424, Jun 24, 2024)
- FBI IC3: Companies falsely claiming an ability to recover funds lost in crypto investment scams (PSA I-081123, Aug 11, 2023)
- FBI: Cryptocurrency and AI scams bilk Americans of billions (Apr 6, 2026)
- FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed
Spot an error or something out of date? Tell us; corrections are made and logged. Written with AI assistance from public sources; every fact checked and approved by Colin Balfe. General information, not legal, medical or financial advice.