Fake Recovery Scam Protection
Protecting scam survivors from secondary fraud -- because losing money once is devastating, and predators who target victims a second time represent the cruelest form of fraud
How Fake Recovery Scams Work
Fake recovery scams -- also known as "recovery room fraud" or "double-dipping scams" -- specifically target people who have already lost money to a previous scam. Fraudsters obtain lists of scam victims, then pose as recovery agents, lawyers, or government officials who claim they can get the money back. Instead of recovering anything, they extract additional fees, personal information, or both. According to the FTC, recovery scams cost victims an estimated $230 million per year in the United States alone. Understanding how these schemes operate is the single most important step in protecting yourself from being victimized twice.
Advance Fee Recovery Scams
The most common type. Scammers contact victims claiming they have located their stolen funds and can recover them -- but only after the victim pays an upfront "processing fee," "tax clearance," or "insurance bond." These fees escalate repeatedly, with new reasons invented each time: compliance fees, anti-money-laundering charges, international transfer taxes. The promised recovery never materializes because no recovery effort was ever initiated. Fees typically range from $500 to $25,000 or more before the victim realizes the pattern.
Government Impersonation
Scammers pose as officials from the FTC, FBI, SEC, CFTC, Interpol, or other government agencies, claiming they have seized funds from the original scammers and need to "verify your identity" or collect a "tax payment" before releasing the money to you. They use official-sounding titles, fabricated badge numbers, and spoofed phone numbers. Real government agencies will never contact you unsolicited to offer fund recovery, and they will never ask you to pay fees to receive money that is owed to you.
Fake Law Firms
Fraudsters create professional-looking websites for fictitious law firms or "financial recovery specialists." They use stock photos of attorneys, list fabricated credentials, and may even create fake bar association profiles. They demand retainer fees, then produce fraudulent "court documents" showing progress on your case. Some go as far as setting up fake office addresses with mail forwarding services. The firm disappears once they have collected enough in fees, or continues inventing reasons to request more money.
Social Media Recovery Scams
On platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Reddit, scammers lurk in groups and forums dedicated to scam victims. They post fake testimonials claiming a specific "hacker" or "recovery expert" successfully recovered their funds. They use multiple fake accounts to validate each other's claims. When victims reach out, they are asked to pay via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers -- untraceable methods that make recovery impossible. This is currently the fastest-growing category of recovery fraud.
Database List Scams
Scam operations maintain and trade databases of previous victims, often called "sucker lists" in criminal circles. These lists include details about what type of scam you fell for, how much you lost, and your contact information. Your name may be sold to dozens of different fake recovery operations. If you have been contacted by one fake recovery service, expect to be contacted by many more. Some victims report receiving calls from 10 or more different fake recovery companies after their information was circulated. These lists are also sold on dark web marketplaces.
Refund Processing Scams
Scammers claim to work for banks, payment processors, or cryptocurrency exchanges and say they have identified a "pending refund" in your name. To "process" the refund, they need your banking details, credit card numbers, or access to your computer through remote desktop software. Once they have access, they either drain your accounts directly or manipulate your screen to make it look like they deposited too much and ask you to "return" the excess -- a classic overpayment scam layered on top of a fake recovery pitch.
Warning Signs of Fake Recovery Scams
- They contacted you first -- legitimate recovery firms do not cold-call, cold-email, or message victims out of the blue on social media
- They demand upfront fees before any work begins, especially via cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards
- They guarantee recovery of your funds -- no legitimate firm can guarantee outcomes because recovery depends on many factors outside anyone's control
- They claim to be affiliated with a government agency such as the FBI, FTC, SEC, or Interpol and say they have already located your funds
- They pressure you to act immediately, claiming your "recovery window" is closing or that funds will be "released to someone else"
- They found you through a comment you left on a scam-reporting website, YouTube video, or social media post about being scammed
- They cannot provide a verifiable physical office address, registered business entity, or legitimate professional credentials you can independently confirm
- They ask for remote access to your computer or phone using software like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or similar tools
- Their website was recently created, has no real company history, and features stock photos instead of real team members
- They request your bank account login credentials, credit card numbers, or cryptocurrency wallet private keys for "verification" purposes
- Their fee structure is vague, changes frequently, or involves escalating payments with constantly shifting explanations for why more money is needed
- They show you fake "tracking dashboards" or fabricated legal documents to create the illusion of progress on your case
- They have no online reviews outside of their own website, or their reviews appear only on unverified platforms and look suspiciously similar
- They claim a special relationship with law enforcement or say they have "insider access" to frozen criminal accounts
- They ask you to sign non-disclosure agreements that prevent you from discussing your case with anyone, including law enforcement
How Fake Recovery Funds Are Traced
When victims lose money to a recovery scam, the tracing process focuses on following the payment trail and identifying the operators behind these fraudulent schemes. Our forensic investigators employ a multi-layered approach to track where your money went and who is responsible.
1. Payment Trail Reconstruction
We meticulously reconstruct every payment you made to the fake recovery operation -- wire transfers, cryptocurrency transactions, gift card purchases, and any other transfer methods. Each payment method leaves a different kind of trail. Wire transfers pass through correspondent banks that maintain records. Cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on public blockchains. Even gift card payments can sometimes be traced through redemption records. We document every transaction with timestamps, amounts, and destination accounts to build a comprehensive financial map.
2. Infrastructure Analysis
Fake recovery companies leave digital footprints. We analyze their websites, email servers, phone numbers, payment processing accounts, and social media profiles. Domain registration records, hosting providers, IP addresses, and SSL certificates can reveal connections between seemingly unrelated scam operations. Many fake recovery firms are run by the same criminal networks that perpetrated the original scam, and infrastructure analysis often exposes these links. We also cross-reference our findings with known scam operation databases maintained by law enforcement and industry groups.
3. Network Mapping
Recovery scams rarely operate in isolation. By analyzing the connections between the fake firm's bank accounts, the individuals who control them, and their links to other known fraud operations, we build a network map that often connects your case to a larger criminal enterprise. This pattern analysis strengthens the case for law enforcement action and increases the chances of asset seizure. In many cases, funds from hundreds of victims flow into interconnected accounts, and identifying the network is what makes recovery possible at scale.
4. Coordination With Authorities
We compile our findings into detailed, evidence-grade reports and work directly with law enforcement agencies, financial regulators, and banking compliance departments. When fake recovery operations use regulated financial institutions, those institutions are obligated to cooperate with investigations. We assist in filing complaints with the FTC, IC3 (FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center), and relevant international authorities. Our reports are structured to meet evidentiary standards, making it easier for authorities to take action, freeze accounts, and pursue prosecution.
Recovery Challenges
Recovering funds lost to fake recovery scams presents a distinct set of challenges that require specialized expertise:
Victim Reluctance to Report
Many victims feel deep shame about falling for a scam a second time and are reluctant to report it or seek help again. This silence is exactly what the scammers count on. The emotional toll of being double-scammed can be paralyzing, and victims often blame themselves rather than the sophisticated criminals who targeted them. Overcoming this barrier is essential -- reporting is the first step toward recovery, and there is no shame in being targeted by professional fraud operators.
Untraceable Payment Methods
Fake recovery scammers deliberately request payment through methods that are difficult to reverse or trace -- cryptocurrency, wire transfers to overseas accounts, gift cards, and prepaid debit cards. Unlike credit card transactions, which offer chargeback protections, these methods provide limited recourse through traditional financial channels. However, even these payment methods leave forensic trails that experienced investigators can follow, particularly when the scammers use the same accounts across multiple victims.
Offshore Operations
Many fake recovery firms register in jurisdictions with weak consumer protection laws or operate through shell companies that obscure ownership. They may list addresses in one country, process payments through banks in another, and operate call centers in a third. This jurisdictional fragmentation is deliberate and complicates both investigation and enforcement. Effective recovery often requires coordination across multiple countries, legal systems, and regulatory frameworks.
Eroded Trust
Perhaps the greatest challenge is the victim's understandable distrust of any recovery service after being burned by a fake one. This creates a painful paradox: the people who most need help are the least likely to seek it. Legitimate recovery firms must work harder to demonstrate their credibility through transparency, verifiable credentials, and clear communication -- which is why we dedicate this entire page to helping you distinguish real recovery services from fraudulent ones.
How We Help Victims of Fake Recovery Scams
Full Scam Chain Investigation
We investigate both the original scam and the fake recovery scam as interconnected events. In many cases, the same criminal network is behind both, and proving that connection dramatically strengthens the case. Our investigators trace the full chain of fraud from the initial loss through every subsequent payment made to fake recovery operators.
Transparent Fee Structure
We publish our fee structure openly and never demand large upfront payments via untraceable methods. Our consultation is free. If we take your case, fees are clearly explained in a written agreement before any work begins. We will never ask for payment in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers to personal accounts. This transparency is non-negotiable -- it is how we differentiate ourselves from the scams we fight against.
Credential Verification
We encourage you to verify everything about us before engaging our services. Our business registration, team credentials, office locations, and professional affiliations are all independently verifiable. We provide direct contact information for regulatory bodies where you can confirm our standing. Any firm that discourages you from performing due diligence is a firm you should avoid.
Recovery Scam Identification
If you have been approached by a suspected fake recovery firm, we will analyze their claims, website, and communications at no charge to help you determine whether they are legitimate. We maintain a database of known fraudulent recovery operations and can often identify a scam operation within minutes based on their tactics, contact information, or web infrastructure.
Law Enforcement Liaison
We help you file comprehensive reports with the appropriate authorities -- the FTC, FBI's IC3, your state attorney general, and international agencies as applicable. Our evidence packages are formatted to meet law enforcement standards, making it easier for investigators to act on your case. We also follow up with agencies on your behalf to ensure your report receives attention.
Emotional Support and Education
Being scammed twice takes an enormous psychological toll. We approach every case with empathy and zero judgment. Our team provides clear, honest communication at every stage -- including realistic assessments of recovery prospects. We also equip you with the knowledge to identify and avoid future scam attempts, because the best recovery is prevention.
How to Identify a Legitimate Recovery Service
We know what you are thinking: "How do I know Global Fund Recovery is not just another scam?" That is exactly the right question to ask, and we respect you for asking it. Here are the objective criteria you should apply to any recovery service -- including us.
Verifiable Business Registration
A legitimate firm is registered as a legal business entity with government authorities. You should be able to look up their registration number, incorporation date, registered address, and directors through official public records. Ask for these details and verify them yourself -- do not rely on documents the company provides, as those can be fabricated.
No Guaranteed Outcomes
Any firm that guarantees they will recover your money is lying. Recovery depends on numerous factors: the type of scam, how the funds were transferred, how much time has passed, the jurisdiction involved, and whether the scammers still have accessible assets. A legitimate firm will give you an honest assessment of your case's prospects and explain the factors that affect success. Look for language like "results may vary" and "no guaranteed outcomes" -- not "100% money-back guarantee."
Clear, Written Fee Agreements
Legitimate firms provide written contracts detailing exactly what services they will perform, what the fees are, when fees are due, and what happens if recovery is unsuccessful. Fees should be reasonable and proportional to the work being done. Be wary of firms that charge percentage-based fees with no cap, demand full payment upfront, or refuse to put their fee structure in writing.
They Never Contacted You First
This is one of the most reliable indicators. Legitimate recovery firms do not have access to lists of scam victims. They do not cold-call, send unsolicited emails, or direct-message you on social media. If a recovery company reached out to you first, that alone is a major red flag. Legitimate firms rely on referrals, search engine visibility, and their reputation -- not purchased victim databases.
Professional, Verifiable Team
Real team members have verifiable professional histories -- LinkedIn profiles with established connection networks, prior employment that can be confirmed, credentials that can be checked with issuing organizations. Stock photos, vague biographies, and team members who cannot be found anywhere outside the company website are signs of a fraudulent operation.
They Encourage Due Diligence
A legitimate firm will never discourage you from researching them, consulting with an attorney, or taking time to make a decision. If a company pressures you to sign immediately, discourages you from seeking second opinions, or becomes defensive when you ask tough questions, walk away. We welcome scrutiny -- it is how trust is built.
Our commitment to you: We will never guarantee specific recovery amounts. We will never pressure you to make quick decisions. We will never ask for payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards. We will always provide a written agreement before any fees are charged. And we will always encourage you to verify our credentials independently before working with us. If any recovery firm -- including us -- fails to meet these standards, do not engage their services.
Been Targeted by a Fake Recovery Scam?
If you have been approached by a suspected fake recovery firm, or if you have already paid one, we can help. Our initial consultation is free, and we will never pressure you into a decision. Take your time, verify our credentials, and reach out when you are ready.
Get Free Case EvaluationRecovery success depends on case circumstances. No guaranteed outcomes. We encourage you to independently verify our credentials before engaging our services.