As the popularity of cryptocurrency continues to rise, so does the number of scams targeting unsuspecting investors. From fake exchanges and phishing websites to impersonation fraud and rug pulls, online crypto scams have become a serious concern. Knowing how to report these incidents can help protect your assets and contribute to a safer digital ecosystem.
This guide will walk you through how to identify scams, report them to the proper authorities, and take steps to avoid future fraud.
Common Types of Crypto Scams
Before you report a scam, it’s important to understand the different types:
Phishing Attacks: Scammers impersonate crypto platforms to trick users into giving up private keys or login credentials.
Fake Giveaways: Fraudulent promotions claim users will get free crypto in exchange for sending a small amount first.
Ponzi & Pyramid Schemes: Fraudsters promise high returns on investments by using new investor money to pay previous ones.
Impersonation of Legitimate Platforms: Scammers pose as well-known services like wallets, exchanges, or support agents (e.g., through social media or fake emails).
Rug Pulls: Developers of a new token suddenly withdraw all funds from liquidity pools, leaving investors with worthless coins.
Step 1: Document Everything
When you suspect fraud, collect all relevant information:
Screenshots of messages, websites, and emails
Transaction hashes and wallet addresses involved
URLs of the scam websites or social media pages
Names and profiles used by the scammers
This documentation will be critical when submitting your report.
Step 2: Report to Crypto Platforms
If the scam is connected to a specific platform—like an exchange or wallet provider—you should first contact their support.
For example, if the issue occurred on Crypto.com and involved suspicious activity, you might reach out via the crypto.com customer service number or through their official website to alert their security team.
Legitimate platforms usually have dedicated fraud and abuse teams who can help freeze accounts, trace transactions, or prevent future misuse.
Step 3: Report to Government Authorities
Different countries have designated agencies for reporting cryptocurrency-related fraud:
United States:
FTC (Federal Trade Commission): reportfraud.ftc.gov
CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission): Accepts tips and complaints related to crypto trading.
FBI’s IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center):
UK:
Action Fraud: actionfraud.police.uk
Australia:
Scamwatch: Managed by the ACCC
India:
File a cybercrime complaint via cybercrime.gov.in
These agencies track crypto fraud cases and may pursue criminal investigations when appropriate.
Step 4: Report to Blockchain Analytics and Watchdog Sites
Several organizations and websites track scam activity to inform the public and help with blacklisting addresses:
Chainabuse: Allows users to report scams on different blockchains.
EtherscamDB: A database of reported Ethereum-based scams.
Scam Alert (CoinMarketCap): Community-driven reports of known fraud cases.
Submitting your case to these platforms helps warn others and may result in scam addresses being flagged.
Step 5: Protect Yourself Going Forward
Once you’ve reported the scam, it’s crucial to take measures to secure your assets and identity:
Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Revoke smart contract permissions using tools like Revoke.cash
Move remaining funds to a secure wallet, preferably a hardware wallet
Be wary of unsolicited messages offering recovery services—they’re often scams too
If you're facing related delays due to suspicious activity or account issues, be mindful of topics like Crypto.com refund delay which can occur during investigations or security checks.
Final Thoughts
The decentralized nature of cryptocurrency gives users more freedom—but also more responsibility. When scams happen, knowing how to report them is a crucial first step in protecting yourself and helping others. While recovering lost funds may be difficult, your report could prevent others from falling victim to the same scheme.
