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Action Guide Scams & Fraud Reviewed Sep 7, 2026 Source: FBI IC3

Crypto or Investment Scam

What to do when a person, platform or group promises profits, shows fake balances or pushes crypto deposits.

Start With First Steps Evidence Checklist Reporting Path Open Defentra
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01

Right Summary

The main consumer right or issue explained fast

Crypto and investment scams can involve fake trading dashboards, fake profits, wallet transfers, romance-investment scams and recovery scams.

02

What This Means

Plain-English breakdown of the problem

Scammers may first show small withdrawals to build trust, then require taxes, fees, verification deposits or unlock payments before allowing withdrawal.

03

What To Save

Evidence that can matter later
Proof Receipts, bills, letters, emails, screenshots, account records, photos, videos or notices.
Timeline Dates, times, names, phone numbers, websites, payment details and support case numbers.
Responses Save every reply from the business, bank, collector, agency, platform or provider.

Save wallet addresses, transaction hashes, exchange records, platform URLs, screenshots, chats, usernames, phone numbers, emails and payment receipts.

04

What To Do First

The first clean action path

Stop sending money, save all transaction data, contact the exchange or payment provider and report the scam quickly.

05

What Not To Do

Common mistakes that can make the issue worse

Do not pay tax, unlock, verification or recovery fees to the scam platform. Do not trust strangers offering guaranteed recovery.

06

Where To Report Or Escalate

Possible complaint, agency, company or platform paths

FBI IC3 for internet crime, FTC ReportFraud.gov, payment provider, crypto exchange and state securities regulator when applicable.

08

Defentra / Elite Action

How this resource connects to evidence, scanning and action

Use Defentra to save URLs, wallet information, screenshots and the full payment timeline.

Open Defentra Report A Scam Elite Support
09

Source / Review File

Internal quality and trust signals
Resource Type Action Guide
Resource Area Scams & Fraud
Last Reviewed Sep 7, 2026
Primary Source FBI IC3
10

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Educational Notice

Important limitation

This resource is educational and organizational. It is not legal advice, financial advice or a guarantee of any outcome. Rights, deadlines, reporting paths and requirements can vary by state, account type, product, service, contract, agency rules and case facts.