People who have already lost money in an investment scam often become the target of a second one: individuals or companies that promise to recover the funds in exchange for a payment. Consumer protection authorities, such as the FTC, have been warning about this type of fraud for years. These are the most common signs.
Short answer
An offer to recover your money is almost certainly another scam if they guarantee the result, ask you to pay upfront, claim to work with the government, ask for your passwords or access to your device, contacted you before you reached out, or pressure you to decide today.
1. They guarantee you’ll get your money back
No serious service can guarantee the recovery of funds. It depends on factors no one fully controls, such as where the money went, how much time has passed, and the jurisdiction. A guarantee is, in itself, a red flag.
2. They ask you to pay upfront
Especially if the payment is in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or transfers to third-party accounts, or if it’s presented as a “tax,” a “bond,” or a “release fee.” It’s the same mechanism as the first scam.
3. They claim to work with the government or a regulator
The FBI, the FTC, the SEC, and the CFTC don’t charge to investigate and don’t offer to recover money in exchange for a payment. Be wary of official logos, credentials, or “case numbers” sent to you by message.
4. They ask for your passwords or access to your device
No analysis needs your passwords, verification codes, seed phrases, private keys, or remote access to your computer or phone. Anyone who asks for them wants to take control of your accounts.
5. They contacted you before you reached out
Direct messages, comments on social media, or calls from someone who “knows about your case.” Scammers often share lists of victims.
6. They pressure you to decide today
Deadlines that are about to expire, “last chances,” or threats that you’ll lose everything. A legitimate service gives you time to verify and decide.
What to do if you get an offer like this
- Don’t pay, and don’t share login details.
- Save the messages and the contact details.
- Verify the company through independent channels, not the ones they sent you.
- Report it to IC3 and the FTC.
How INDAGA works
We don’t guarantee results, the evaluation is free, and the report has a flat fee set in writing that you pay when you receive it. We don’t cold-contact people who have been affected, and our only WhatsApp number is +1 423 992 4103. Request your free evaluation.
To learn which options actually exist, read can you recover money from a scam?
Many recovery scams are preceded by demands for supposed taxes to withdraw your money: here’s how to spot it.
Before investing on any site, review the 12 signs of a fake investment platform.
