Fraud recovery, explained plainly
Guides, scam alerts, and investigations from our team, written to help you protect yourself and understand your options.
Scammed in a Telegram or WhatsApp crypto group? What to do now
A "VIP" investing group, a "professor", daily profits, then blocked withdrawals. Here's what's really happening, what to save before you leave the group, and how the money can be traced.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026Will your bank refund money you sent to a crypto scam?
Sometimes, but it isn't automatic. What to ask your bank for each kind of payment, what to say, and what happens to the money's trail if the bank says no.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026Crypto job or task scam? How to get your money back
An easy online job turned into crypto deposits you had to make to keep earning. Here's what's really happening, what to do now, and how the money can be traced.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026A "recovery company" says it found your crypto but wants a fee first?
Someone says they've already located your stolen crypto and you only need to pay a fee to release it. This is a scam. Here's how to tell, what to do, and what to do if you already paid.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026Sent crypto from Coinbase to a scammer? What to do now
Coinbase can't reverse crypto once it's sent, but the trail it leaves stays. What to do now, how to spot fake Coinbase support, and how the crypto can be traced.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026Can stolen USDT be recovered?
Often, yes. USDT is one of the easiest kinds of crypto to freeze. Here's what it takes, why speed matters, and what to do now.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026Scammed after sending Bitcoin on Cash App? What to do
Scammers often tell victims to buy bitcoin in Cash App and send it to an address they provide. Cash App can't reverse it, but the bitcoin can be followed. Here's what to do.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026How to get your money back from a fake crypto trading platform
Your balance kept growing, but now you can't withdraw unless you pay a fee or a tax. Here's what's really happening, what to do now, and how the crypto you sent can be traced and frozen.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026Lost money in a crypto investment app someone introduced you to? How to get it back
Someone you met online guided you into a crypto investment app that turned out to be fake. Here's how these scams work, what to do now, and how the money can be traced and frozen.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026Crypto ATM scam: how to get your money back
Someone told you to put cash into a crypto ATM, often called a Bitcoin ATM, to protect your money or settle a problem. Here's what to do right away, why your receipt matters, and how the crypto can be traced.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026Your stolen crypto went to Coinbase or Binance. What happens next?
When stolen crypto lands on a major exchange, it can often be frozen and returned. Here's what an exchange can do, why a victim's own complaint often isn't enough, and how to get it acted on.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2026Paid BlackmailHelpline? What the FTC case means for you
A federal court has halted the company behind BlackmailHelpline.com after the FTC sued it for allegedly misleading sextortion victims. If you paid them, here is what happened, what to do now, and where to turn if a scammer still has your money.
Richard Van Orton · 24 October 2026- Investigations
Van Orton takes down fake asset recovery service
After a month-long investigation, our team shut down FinancialOptionsRecovery, a fake recovery service that had re-victimized fraud victims since 2022. Here is how we did it.
Richard Van Orton · 10 November 2025 - Guide
How to avoid getting scammed by a fake recovery service?
Four in five asset recovery services you find online are fraudulent. The warning signs are consistent and learnable. Here are the red flags we tell every prospective client to watch for.
Richard Van Orton · 9 November 2025 - Scam alert
ALERT: Fake recovery service, "REELTECFIZ"
A fraudulent recovery operation is targeting fraud victims through fake reviews and social media. If you have seen a message like this, it is a scam.
Richard Van Orton · 2 October 2025 - Guide
How to Recover From SIM Swap Attacks
Some of the most devastating financial attacks come not from sophisticated malware, but from your SIM card. Here is how SIM swaps work and what to do in the first hours.
Richard Van Orton · 12 May 2025 - Guide
You got scammed. What's next?
Cryptocurrency fraud has surged post-COVID, run by organized groups operating like corporations. Here is how they work, and the practical first steps to take after being defrauded.
Richard Van Orton · 25 December 2024
Lost money to a scam?
Your free consultation starts with a short case assessment: about 5 minutes to tell us what happened. An investigator then replies within 60 minutes, and you can ask as many questions as you like.
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