Why previous victims are targeted
Contact details, payment history or knowledge of the original scam may be retained or sold. This allows a new caller to sound credible, refer to the earlier loss and claim to represent a regulator, lawyer, exchange, investigator or government authority.
Common warning signs
- Unsolicited contact saying funds have already been found.
- A guaranteed recovery or exact return date.
- An advance fee described as tax, insurance, court cost or wallet activation.
- Pressure to pay by cryptocurrency or to a personal account.
- Documents and email addresses designed to imitate an official body.
- A refusal to allow independent verification.
- Requests for passwords, private keys or remote access.
The FCA specifically warns that people who have already been scammed can be targeted again and describes offers to recover money after an advance payment as recovery-room scams. Read the FCA’s official warning.
How to verify a professional
Locate the regulator’s register independently, search for the professional or organisation and use the contact details published there. Do not rely on a link, telephone number or registration screenshot supplied by the caller. Verify both the individual and the business through which the service is offered.
If you have already paid
Contact the bank or payment provider immediately, secure relevant accounts, preserve all communications and report the matter through official channels. Do not continue paying in the hope that the previous payment will be returned.
What a legitimate assessment looks like
A responsible adviser explains uncertainty, fees, professional status, the evidence required and the proposed legal basis. They do not guarantee success or claim that a secret fund is waiting to be released.