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If cryptocurrency was stolen in a scam or account compromise, stop sending money, preserve the evidence, and report suspected internet-enabled fraud to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at IC3.gov. You can submit a report even if you do not have every transaction detail. A report can help authorities connect cases or pursue funds, but it is not a recovery claim and does not guarantee that your crypto will be returned.
How do I report stolen cryptocurrency?
These steps reflect U.S. federal guidance from the FBI, IC3, and CFTC. They are not a universal reporting route for other countries. Report promptly; do not wait until you have assembled a perfect file.
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- Stop payments. Do not send more cryptocurrency, money, or fees to the suspected scammer. Ignore demands for taxes, release fees, or payments to unlock or return funds.
- Preserve evidence. Save transaction records, messages, account details, and a timeline before deleting accounts or conversations. Keep original files where possible.
- File an IC3 complaint. For suspected internet-enabled cryptocurrency fraud, submit a report through IC3.gov. Include what you know; the FBI says to report even when transaction information is unavailable.
- Consider other appropriate reports. Depending on the incident, make a local police report and contact a relevant state or federal regulator. The CFTC advises reporting promptly; authorities may route a complaint to an appropriate agency.
- Contact affected services safely. If funds moved through an exchange or service, or an account was compromised, contact its support team using the official website or app. Ask what information it needs and keep the case number. Do not assume an exchange can reverse an on-chain transfer.
- Secure accounts and devices. If email, identity, a device, or an account was compromised, secure accounts that remain accessible and contact relevant financial institutions. Never disclose seed phrases, private keys, passwords, or one-time codes to someone offering help.
Where do I report a crypto scam?
Choose reporting routes based on what happened; more than one may apply. IC3 is the FBI’s intake route for suspected internet-enabled crime, while police, regulators, exchanges, and insurers serve different purposes.
| Situation | Where to report or follow up |
|---|---|
| Suspected online investment fraud, impersonation, or other internet-enabled crypto scam | Submit an IC3 complaint at IC3.gov. FBI guidance for cryptocurrency victims is available at IC3’s August 24, 2023 guidance. |
| Theft or fraud that may need local documentation | Consider reporting to local police. A police report may be useful for an insurer, but it does not establish that a policy covers crypto loss. |
| Investment or commodities-related fraud | Consider the relevant state or federal regulator. The CFTC’s six steps after discovering fraud include reporting and checking other recovery options. |
| Funds went through an exchange or service, or an account was compromised | Contact the provider through its official support channel and retain its case reference. An on-chain transfer generally should not be assumed reversible by the provider. |
| A formal government enforcement case has an appointed receiver or monitor | Contact that receiver or monitor and submit accurate supporting documentation, as CFTC guidance recommends. |
What information do I need to file an IC3 complaint?
Give a clear account of how the incident unfolded and include identifiers that could help investigators recognize related activity. If a detail is missing, submit the report with what you have rather than delaying it.
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- How contact began: explain how the other party approached you and how they identified themselves.
- People and services involved: names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, usernames, website domains, applications, and other identifiers.
- Transactions: asset and amount, date and time (including time zone if known), sending and receiving wallet addresses, the relevant network, transaction ID or hash, and any receiving exchange or financial institution.
- Related accounts and payments: exchange, bank, or payment accounts used; records of payments; and any two-factor authentication or one-time-passcode details involved.
- Communications and sequence: chat logs, emails, websites or apps used, and a chronological timeline of what happened.
A transaction hash or ID identifies a transaction on a blockchain; a wallet address identifies a source or destination on a network. Preserve the exact strings and network information. Formats differ across networks: IC3 describes Bitcoin and Ethereum transaction hashes as 64-character strings, but that example does not apply to every asset or address format.
Can the FBI get my crypto back?
An IC3 complaint provides information for investigative and intelligence purposes. IC3 says reports may contribute to investigations and, in some cases, to freezing stolen funds. Filing promptly is useful, but the complaint does not promise that an agency will contact you, investigate your individual case, or return assets.
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The FBI’s Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud guidance explains that an IC3 report is the first step for a case to be considered. The FBI’s Operation Level Up page also says its agents are not investigating individual victim cases. A freeze may depend on the circumstances and available legal process; it is not the same as recovering funds for a particular victim.
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Can a recovery company recover stolen cryptocurrency?
Be especially cautious if someone contacts you unexpectedly after a loss. The FBI and IC3 warn that victims are targeted by purported tracing and recovery services. Warning signs include guaranteed-return promises, claims of law-enforcement affiliation, upfront fees, and escalating demands for taxes, bonds, or release fees.
The FBI stated in a September 3, 2024 notice that private-sector recovery companies cannot issue seizure orders; exchanges freeze accounts only through internal processes or legal process. Do not pay a company simply because it claims special access to law enforcement, an exchange, or blockchain tracing. Report suspected recovery fraud separately through IC3.gov.
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For purported FBI contact, the agency warns: “The FBI will never ask for money, move communications to private messaging apps, or request bank account details or personal identifying information.” Its public-service guidance also advises: “Be wary of anyone claiming they can recover your funds, as this may be another scam.” See the FBI’s September 3, 2024 recovery-fraud notice.
Can I file an insurance claim for stolen crypto?
You can ask your insurer whether an existing policy applies, but the reviewed FBI, IC3, and CFTC guidance does not establish that homeowner’s, renter’s, cyber, or identity policies cover a particular cryptocurrency theft. Read the policy language rather than assuming coverage from the type of policy.
The CFTC notes that a local police report may be needed for an insurance claim; that is a documentation requirement in some cases, not proof of coverage. If you notify your insurer, ask which records and deadlines apply and keep copies of submissions and claim references. Legal advice may be useful for a substantial loss or a possible civil recovery action.
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