What is an investment fraud investigation?
An investment fraud investigation examines the financial, corporate and digital evidence connected to a suspected fraudulent investment scheme. This can include bank transactions, cryptocurrency transfers, communications, websites, corporate records and information relating to individuals or entities involved in the matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Global Anti-Scam Centre answers common questions about investment fraud investigations, financial tracing, cryptocurrency scams and cross-border matters. Every case is different, and the evidence available, transaction pathway, jurisdictions involved and time elapsed can affect the investigative options available.
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Can money lost to an investment scam be traced?
In many cases, financial transactions leave an identifiable trail. Bank transfers can reveal beneficiary accounts and intermediary institutions, while cryptocurrency transactions can often be analysed across public blockchain networks. Tracing does not guarantee recovery.
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Can cryptocurrency stolen through a scam be traced?
Cryptocurrency transactions recorded on public blockchains can often be analysed to determine how digital assets moved between wallets and services. Blockchain analysis may identify transaction pathways and interactions with exchanges or other services, but it does not automatically identify the person controlling every wallet.
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What information should I preserve after discovering a fraud?
Preserve all available evidence, including bank statements, payment receipts, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, transaction hashes, emails, messaging conversations, telephone numbers, website addresses, account screenshots, contracts and documents supplied by the suspected fraudster.
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How quickly should an investment fraud be investigated?
Investigation should begin as soon as practical after the fraud is identified. Websites can disappear, companies can be dissolved, communications can be deleted and funds can move rapidly through multiple financial accounts or cryptocurrency wallets.
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Can you identify who received my money?
Available transaction records may identify bank accounts, companies, payment processors, cryptocurrency wallets or other recipients involved in the movement of funds. Further investigation may be required to determine the relationship between an account holder, intermediary and ultimate beneficiary.
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Can you identify the owner of a cryptocurrency wallet?
A wallet address alone does not necessarily establish the identity of the person controlling it. Identification may require additional evidence such as exchange interactions, financial records, corporate information, communications or other digital intelligence.
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Can you recover money lost through a scam?
No legitimate investigator can guarantee recovery. Investigation and asset tracing may identify financial pathways, recipients or assets that could assist legal counsel or other authorised parties considering recovery options. Whether funds can ultimately be recovered depends on the evidence, jurisdiction, legal process and availability of recoverable assets.
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What if my money was transferred overseas?
Cross-border fraud investigations can examine overseas companies, foreign financial accounts, international payment providers, cryptocurrency services and other entities connected to the movement of funds. The investigative approach depends on the jurisdictions involved and the evidence available.
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Do you work with lawyers, banks or law enforcement?
Investigative findings can be prepared in a structured format that may assist legal counsel, financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement when assessing the matter or considering further action.
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How long does a fraud investigation take?
The timeframe depends on the complexity of the matter, the amount of evidence, the number of transactions and the jurisdictions involved. A relatively contained matter may require substantially less analysis than a complex multi-jurisdictional fraud investigation.
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Is my enquiry confidential?
Initial enquiries and case information are handled confidentially. Information is reviewed for the purpose of understanding the suspected fraud, assessing the available evidence and determining whether further investigation may be viable.
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Should I contact my bank or police first?
If funds have recently been transferred and fraud is suspected, prompt contact with the relevant financial institution and appropriate authorities should be considered. An independent investigation can also be undertaken to develop additional financial, corporate or digital evidence.
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How do I start an investigation with Global Anti-Scam Centre?
Submit a confidential case assessment with a brief summary of what occurred, the approximate amount involved, payment method, relevant website or platform and any countries believed to be connected to the matter. The available information can then be reviewed to determine whether further investigation may be appropriate.