I think I am in a crypto investment scam — what do I do?

Direct answer

Stop paying in — especially any "tax", "release fee" or "verification deposit" to withdraw; those are the second scam. Check the platform against the warning list of FCA — Consumer helpline / warning list (0800 111 6768) — unlicensed platforms are listed there and a listing is proof for your bank. Report to Action Fraud (England, Wales, NI) / Police Scotland (0300 123 2040) with every wallet address and transaction ID; recovery is rare but the report freezes exchange accounts. Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency) (101) collects the pattern and warns others. Beware of "recovery agencies" that contact you afterwards — same people.

Call firstFCA — Consumer helpline / warning list

Report toAction Fraud (England, Wales, NI) / Police Scotland

If that failsPolice — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)

🗣️ What to say

"Between [date] and [date] I sent [amount] to [platform / wallet addresses] on the advice of [name / contact channel]. The platform now refuses withdrawal unless I pay more. I believe it is fraud and want to report it; here are the transaction IDs."

🪜 Step by step

Freeze everythingNo more transfers, no "fees", no remote-access sessions. Change passwords, remove any remote-control app they had you install.
Collect the trailWallet addresses, transaction hashes, the exchange you bought through, chat history, the fake dashboard screenshots. This is the whole case.
Tell your bank and the exchangeThe exchange you paid from can flag the destination; the bank can check whether any card or transfer step is reversible.
Report to Action Fraud (England, Wales, NI) / Police ScotlandCybercrime units trace blockchain flows and freeze accounts at exchanges; the more transaction IDs, the better.
Check the licence: FCA — Consumer helpline / warning listIf the platform is not authorised in the EU, it has no right to hold your money — the regulator's warning helps with the bank and with any insurer.

📇 All contacts

FCA — Consumer helpline / warning listRegulates financial firms; warning list of unauthorised firmsUnauthorised firms, systematic misconduct📞 0800 111 6768 🔗 www.fca.org.uk/consumers

Action Fraud (England, Wales, NI) / Police ScotlandNational reporting centre for fraud and cybercrimeFor online scams and phishing📞 0300 123 2040 🔗 www.actionfraud.police.uk

Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)Local police for any crime that is not fraudBurglary, theft, threats, stalking📞 101 🔗 www.police.uk

Victim Support — 0808 168 9111Free, confidential victim support; CICA compensationAfter any crime📞 0808 168 9111 🔗 www.victimsupport.org.uk

❓ Frequently asked

Can the money be traced and recovered?

Traced, often; recovered, rarely, unless it sat at a regulated exchange that froze it. Report fast and keep every ID.

Someone offers to recover it for a fee

That is a recovery scam and frequently the same group. No legitimate agency asks for an upfront fee to recover crypto.

I gave them remote access to my computer

Disconnect, remove the software, change every password from another device, and warn your bank — they may have seen your online banking.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“crypto scam report the UK”
“investment platform will not let me withdraw”
“unlicensed crypto platform warning list the UK”
“crypto fraud recovery”
“report wallet address police”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

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💎 I think I am in a crypto investment scam — what do I do?