Lost Money to a Scam? Beware of the Fake Recovery Agent
Realising you have lost money to an online scam is a devastating feeling. It is completely normal to feel vulnerable, angry, and desperate to get your hard-earned savings back. But while you are searching for answers online, you might get a message from someone claiming to be an "expert hacker" or a "recovery agent" who promises they can track down the criminals and return your funds.
Take a deep breath and step back. Getting targeted again while you are down is cruel, but it happens constantly. This is known as a crypto recovery service scam (or refund scam). These "agents" are often the exact same scammers who stole your money in the first place, returning to squeeze a little more out of you.
3 Warning Signs of a Fake Recovery Service
Legitimate fraud investigations are handled by banks and law enforcement, not random internet experts. Watch out for these red flags:
1. They Require an Upfront Fee
The scammer will claim they have located your money, but you must pay an "admin fee," a "tax," or a "software license" before they can release the funds back to your account. You will pay the fee, and they will disappear.
2. They Contact You Out of the Blue
If you receive unsolicited emails, or whatsapp crypto scam messages from someone offering to help you recover lost funds, ignore them. Real authorities do not reach out randomly on messaging apps to offer hacking services.
3. They Ask for Your Bank Logins
To "deposit" the recovered money, they will claim they need your bank account passwords, or they will ask you to download software so they can access your computer remotely. This simply gives them access to steal whatever money you have left.
What to Do Next
If you are researching how to get money back from a scammer, your only safe path is to contact your official bank's fraud department and your local police. Stop talking to any online entities claiming they can act as a vigilante for you.
The Golden Rule
Never pay money to get money back. Official government agencies and your real bank do not charge upfront fees to investigate fraud or return your stolen funds.