A few days after reporting a crypto loss, you receive a message from someone claiming they can retrieve the funds. They may know details you shared publicly, or borrow the language of investigators and technical specialists. Treat an unsolicited recovery offer as a new claim to verify, not proof that anyone has found your money.
Notice the pressure tactics
Be cautious if someone promises guaranteed recovery, demands an immediate decision, or says a fee, tax or deposit must be paid before funds can be released. A polished website, professional-sounding title or screenshot is not independent proof of authority. Pause the conversation and check the organization through a source you find separately.
Keep sensitive details private
Never share passwords, seed phrases or private keys, even if the person says they need them to trace a transaction. Do not install remote-access software or connect a wallet at a stranger’s request. If you already shared account access, contact the relevant provider using its official site or app and take steps to secure the account.
Verify before you respond
Do not rely on contact information, links or documents sent by the person making the offer. Search for the organization independently and use its official reporting or support channel to confirm whether the outreach is genuine. If the message claims to come from a public agency, verify that claim through the agency’s own website.
Choose practical next steps
Save the messages and payment requests, then consider reporting them through the appropriate fraud-reporting options in your country. In the United States, ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov accept reports about suspected scams and online crime. Recovery guidance should help you understand options and risks; no honest adviser can promise that lost funds will come back.