Recovery scams
A story
Hélène, 63, has just lost $40,000 to a fake platform. She writes about it in a Facebook group for victims. Within minutes, “Alain” messages her privately: he was a victim too, but a specialized firm got everything back. He sends her the link.
The site is flawless: “blockchain forensics” analyses, official letters, testimonials. She's told her funds were “traced and frozen” at an exchange. All she needs is to pay $1,200 in “case-opening fees”. Then $4,800 in “release tax”. Then a $600 “insurance”. A call from an “agent of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre” confirms it.
Hélène pays $6,600 more before she understands that “Alain”, the firm and the “agent” were all part of the same operation: the one that had already scammed her.
A fictional story inspired by real cases. Names and details are invented.
How it works
Contact
After a first fraud, a person or company contacts you (or you find them online) and says they can recover your money. They may pose as a lawyer, an investigator, your bank or an agent of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Fake proof
You're shown reports, official-looking letters or logos to prove your funds were found or frozen.
Advance fees
You're asked to pay fees to open a case, release the funds or cover a tax. Each payment is followed by a new request.
How common it is
According to Chainalysis, crypto scams received at least US$14 billion on-chain in 2025, and that total could exceed US$17 billion. According to the same source, impersonation scams, where the scammer poses as a trusted person or organization, grew by more than 1,400% in a year.
The warning signs
- An unsolicited offer to recover your funds
- Payment required before any refund
- A guaranteed result
- A request for remote access to your device or wallet
- The logo of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the police or a bank used as “proof”
- Contact only through WhatsApp, Telegram or an online form
If it happens to you
- Pay nothing. Police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre never ask for payment.
- Don't give anyone access to your device or wallet.
- Report the attempt to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
- For legal recourse, choose a lawyer yourself, for example through the Barreau du Québec.
- Free, confidential support: CAVAC, 1-866-532-2822.
Official contacts → · Your platform's help page →
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Source: Chainalysis, “2026 Crypto Crime Report: Scams”, January 13, 2026 ↗