You just realised it. The withdrawal will not go through, the account manager has gone quiet, or the website has vanished. Your heart is racing and you keep refreshing the page. Take one slow breath. What you do in the next 24 hours matters more than anything after it.
Hours six to twelve: build your file
Make a folder on your phone or computer and put everything in it. Screenshots, receipts, wallet addresses, chat exports, the website address and any names used. Write a short timeline in your own words: when you first saw the ad, when you paid, what you were promised. Your memory will fade faster than you expect.
INVESTORS, TAKE NOTE 👉
Energy Growth Vent Review: Unregulated Broker, Fund-Safety Warning
| Save this | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Transaction hashes | Lets the money be traced on the blockchain |
| Chat history | Shows the promises and the pressure |
| Bank statements | Supports a chargeback or fraud claim |
| Website screenshots | The site may disappear tomorrow |
Hours twelve to twenty four: report it
File a report with the police and with your national fraud centre: the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) in the US, Action Fraud in the UK or the FTC ReportFraud portal. Keep every reference number. You can also check whether the platform is on a regulator list such as the FCA Warning List or IOSCO I-SCAN.
Be ready for the second wave
Within days you may be contacted by someone claiming they can recover your money for a fee, sometimes pretending to be a lawyer, a regulator or even the police. This is called a recovery scam. Real agencies never ask you to pay to get money back.
Just been scammed? Do not face it alone.
ATTENTION READ THIS 👉
GKMTECH Review: Fund-Safety Warning, Regulation Concerns
Start a free report now while the details are fresh.
Look after yourself too
Being scammed is not stupidity. These groups are organised and very good at what they do. Tell someone you trust. Shame keeps people quiet, and silence helps the scammers.
What to say when you call your bank
Keep it short and factual. Give the date, the amount and where the money went. Say you were deceived into making the payment and that you are reporting fraud. Ask three questions: can the payment be recalled, can a chargeback be raised, and what is my claim reference. Write the answers down with the name of the person you spoke to and the time of the call.
If the bank says nothing can be done, ask for that in writing. A written refusal can be reviewed later or escalated to a financial ombudsman in many countries.
Mistakes people make on day one
- Telling the scammer they are going to the police, which makes the scammer move the funds faster.
- Paying one last fee in the hope it unlocks everything.
- Deleting the app or chat before saving it.
- Answering calls from numbers they do not know.
- Posting full wallet details and screenshots publicly, which attracts fake recovery agents.
What happens after the first day
After the first 24 hours the work becomes slower and steadier. Reports are matched against other victims, wallet addresses are traced, and banks review claims. It can take weeks. Keep your folder up to date, write down every new contact, and stay suspicious of anyone who reaches out offering a shortcut.
Hour one: stop the bleeding
- ✗ Do not send another payment, whatever reason they give.
- ✗ Do not click new links they send you.
- ✗ Change passwords on email, exchange and bank accounts.
- ✗ Turn on two factor authentication everywhere.
- ✗ If you gave remote access (AnyDesk, TeamViewer), uninstall it now.
Scammers often push hardest right after you notice something is wrong. They may say your account is frozen for tax reasons, or that a lawyer can unlock it for a fee. That pressure is part of the scam.
Hours two to six: call the money people
Call your bank using the number on the back of your card, not one from an email. Say the words “I have been the victim of an investment scam”. Ask them to block further payments and to start a fraud claim. If you sent crypto from an exchange account, open a support ticket there too and give them the receiving wallet address.
Key takeaways
- Stop paying the moment something feels wrong.
- Call your bank on day one, not day ten.
- Save every chat, receipt and hash before you do anything else.
- Report to the police and your national fraud centre and keep the reference.
- Expect a recovery scammer to contact you and say no.
just been scammed: Related guides
- What to Do Next After a Crypto Scam: Step by Step (Cyanosoft)
- Locked Out of Your Investment Website? What’s Next (ReclaimDC)
- Scammed on a Crypto Trading Platform? Act Fast (Drubox)
- Fake Fund Recovery Agents: How to Spot Them (ReclaimDC)
#justbeenscammed #scamvictim #cryptoscam #whattodoafterascam #fraudhelp #ettran
General information only. Ettran does not promise any recovery outcome.
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