How to Report Crypto Scams to the FBI/IC3: A Complete Guide for Victims

If you’ve fallen victim to a cryptocurrency scam, you’re not alone—and you’re not without options. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the primary federal channel for reporting cybercrime, including crypto fraud. This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to report crypto scams to the FBI, what information you need to gather, and what happens after you file your complaint.

What Is the IC3 and Why Report There?

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). It serves as the central hub for reporting internet-facilitated criminal activity, including:

• Cryptocurrency investment scams
• Pig Butchering romance scams
• Phishing attacks and wallet drainers
• Fake crypto recovery agents
• Exchange impersonation and Coinbase support scams

Reporting to IC3 is critical because it helps federal investigators identify patterns, track criminal networks, and potentially recover stolen funds. Your individual report contributes to a larger intelligence picture that can lead to arrests and asset seizures.

Step-by-Step: How to File an IC3 Complaint

Step 1: Gather Your Evidence

Before starting your complaint, collect all relevant documentation. The more detailed your evidence, the better chance investigators have of tracing your funds:

• Transaction records: Blockchain explorer links showing the fraudulent transaction(s)
• Wallet addresses: Both yours and the scammer’s receiving addresses
• Communications: Screenshots of emails, DMs, chat logs with timestamps
• Platform details: URLs of fake websites, app names, social media profiles
• Financial records: Exchange withdrawal confirmations, bank transfer receipts
• Incident timeline: Chronological documentation of when events occurred

Step 2: Access the IC3 Website

Navigate to the official IC3 website at ic3.gov. Be extremely careful to avoid phishing sites—verify you’re on the legitimate .gov domain. Never click IC3 links from unsolicited emails or messages, as scammers often create fake complaint portals to steal additional information from victims.

Step 3: File Your Complaint

Click “File a Complaint” and follow the prompts. The form will ask for:

• Your personal information: Name, contact details, mailing address
• Incident details: Type of scam, dates, financial losses
• Perpetrator information: Any known details about the scammer
• Financial transaction details: Payment methods, amounts, cryptocurrency types
• Witness/victim information: Other affected parties if known

Be as thorough as possible. The IC3 system allows you to upload supporting documents, so attach your compiled evidence.

Step 4: Save Your Complaint Reference

After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation with a unique complaint reference number. Save this number—it’s essential for tracking your case and providing updates. Print or screenshot the confirmation page and store it securely.

What Happens After You Report?

Initial Review and Analysis

Once submitted, your complaint enters the IC3 database where analysts review it for patterns and investigative leads. The IC3 doesn’t investigate individual complaints directly but aggregates data to identify criminal networks and emerging threats. Your report becomes part of intelligence bulletins distributed to federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Potential Investigation

If your case shows connections to larger criminal operations or involves significant financial losses, it may be referred to FBI field offices for investigation. However, most individual crypto scam victims should not expect direct contact from investigators unless their case becomes part of a broader prosecution.

Asset Recovery Possibilities

In rare cases where stolen cryptocurrency is traced to exchange accounts or frozen wallets, federal authorities may seize assets and eventually return them to victims. This process is lengthy and uncertain—USDT freezing and other asset recovery actions can take months or years.

Additional Steps to Take

Report to Other Agencies

Beyond the IC3, consider reporting to:

• Local law enforcement: File a police report for documentation
• Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC): For derivatives-related fraud
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): For investment scheme violations
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): For general consumer fraud

Secure Your Remaining Assets

Immediately take steps to protect any remaining cryptocurrency:

• Move funds to new, uncompromised wallets
• Revoke any suspicious contract approvals using tools like Etherscan’s token approval checker
• Check for Metamask phishing vulnerabilities and revoke allowances
• Enable two-factor authentication on all exchange accounts
• Review and update all passwords using a secure password manager

Warn Others

Share your experience (anonymously if preferred) to help others avoid similar scams. Report fraudulent social media accounts to platform moderators. If you encountered recovery scams on Instagram or other platforms, reporting these accounts can prevent further victimization.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When reporting crypto scams, victims often make errors that reduce their chances of recovery:

Don’t Wait to Report

Time is critical in cryptocurrency investigations. Blockchain analysis becomes more difficult as scammers move funds through mixers and exchanges. Report immediately, even if you’re embarrassed or unsure whether you’ve actually been scammed.

Don’t Trust “Recovery Services”

Be extremely wary of individuals or companies claiming they can recover your stolen cryptocurrency for an upfront fee. Many of these are fake crypto recovery agents who prey on victims a second time. Legitimate law enforcement does not charge fees for investigations.

Don’t Tamper with Evidence

Preserve all original communications and transaction records exactly as you received them. Don’t edit screenshots, delete emails, or modify files. Investigators may need to verify the authenticity of your evidence.

Conclusion: Taking Action Against Crypto Fraud

Reporting cryptocurrency scams to the FBI through IC3 is a crucial step in fighting cybercrime and potentially recovering your losses. While the process doesn’t guarantee immediate results, each complaint contributes to a broader intelligence picture that helps federal investigators dismantle criminal operations.

Remember: you are not alone, and being scammed is not a reflection of your intelligence—crypto fraudsters use sophisticated psychological manipulation and technical tricks to deceive even savvy investors. By reporting through IC3, securing your remaining assets, and sharing your experience to warn others, you transform victimization into action.

Take the first step today: visit ic3.gov and file your complaint. Your report could be the key to preventing the next victim or bringing a criminal network to justice.