Crypto Scam Evidence Checklist
What Evidence Do You Need After a Crypto Scam?
At minimum, gather every wallet address involved, the transaction ID (hash) for each transfer, records from the exchange you used, full chat and communication logs, screenshots of the platform or app, and the exact dates, times, and amounts. The more of this you preserve, and the sooner, the more useful a report or investigation becomes. This checklist walks through what to collect, why each item matters, and how to keep it intact so it holds up for reporting agencies, exchanges, or an attorney.
Who This Guide Helps
This guide is for anyone who has been targeted by a cryptocurrency scam and is not sure what to gather before reaching out for help, as well as attorneys and support contacts who want a clear, printable checklist to hand a client immediately after a scam is discovered.
Why Evidence Quality Shapes What Is Possible
An investigation can only work with what still exists. Evidence collected and preserved carefully in the first hours and days after a scam is discovered is often the difference between a strong report and a thin one.
- Wallet Addresses
Your own sending address and every receiving address the scammer used, copied exactly as they appear.
- Transaction IDs (Hashes)
The unique identifier for each transfer, viewable and verifiable on a public block explorer.
- Exchange Account Records
Statements, confirmation emails, and deposit or withdrawal history from the exchange you used to send funds.
- Chat and Communication Logs
Complete conversations across every platform involved, including texts, direct messages, app chats, and emails.
- Platform URLs and Screenshots
The website or app used, the profile involved, and the fake dashboard or balance, captured before it disappears.
- Dates, Times and Amounts
A clear timeline of every transfer and interaction, which helps tie the rest of the evidence together.
What Wallet and Transaction Details Should I Collect?
- Your own wallet address used to send the funds
- Every receiving wallet address the scammer provided
- The transaction ID (TXID) or hash for each individual transfer
- The blockchain or network used, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum
- The amount sent in cryptocurrency and its approximate USD value at the time
What Exchange Records Matter?
- Account statements or confirmation emails from the exchange
- Your deposit and withdrawal history
- Any case or ticket number if you have already reported it to the exchange
- Verification or account-related emails from the exchange
What Communication Evidence Should I Preserve?
- Full chat threads, saved in their entirety rather than cropped excerpts
- Screenshots that clearly show usernames, handles, and timestamps
- Phone numbers or email addresses the scammer used
- Records of any voice or video calls, if they occurred
- Every name or alias the scammer used across platforms
What Platform and Profile Evidence Helps?
- The exact URL of the website or app involved
- Screenshots of the fake investment dashboard or balance shown to you
- The scammer’s profile picture, username, and bio
- Any advertisement or social media post that led you to the platform
- The name of the platform, app, or exchange the scammer directed you to use
How Should I Organize and Preserve This Evidence?
How you handle evidence after collecting it matters almost as much as gathering it in the first place:
- Do not edit, crop, or annotate screenshots before sharing them
- Keep original files and, where possible, the original device
- Back up everything to a secure, separate location such as cloud storage or an external drive
- Build a simple written timeline of what happened and when
- Avoid discussing the details publicly online while the matter is active
What If I Am Missing Some of This?
Do not wait until you have a complete file to reach out. Partial evidence is still useful, and an investigator can often help identify what additional records, such as an exchange transaction export, may still be available even after some information has been lost.
What Other Details Are Worth Noting If You Have Them?
Beyond the core checklist, a few additional details can add useful context to a case:
- How you first encountered the scammer or the platform, such as a social media ad, a dating app, or an unsolicited message
- Any other social media accounts, phone numbers, or payment apps the scammer referenced
- Whether anyone else you know was contacted by the same profile, username, or platform
- Any documents the scammer sent you, such as fake certificates, screenshots of a trading account, or identification
None of these are required to start, but each one can help investigators and reporting agencies connect your case to a broader pattern.
Why a Written Timeline Helps
A simple, dated timeline, even a short one, helps an investigator quickly understand how the scam unfolded: how contact began, when trust was built, when money started moving, and when you realized something was wrong. Building this early, while details are fresh, is often more useful than trying to reconstruct it later from memory.
Confidentiality and Legal Compliance
Redbeard Intelligence and Investigations works only through lawful methods. Your inquiry is confidential, and findings are shared with you and, at your direction, with your attorney or law enforcement. This page offers general information, not legal advice, and organizing evidence does not guarantee fund recovery.
Why Redbeard
Clients come to us because we help turn a stressful, disorganized situation into a clear, usable record. Our licensed investigators know what reporting agencies, exchanges, and attorneys typically need, and we help you gather it efficiently.
Related Services
This checklist works alongside our guides on what to do immediately after sending crypto to a scammer and how blockchain tracing works, plus our broader Cyber Investigation Services for related digital fraud matters.
Nationwide and International Coverage
With corporate offices Orlando and Naples, Redbeard is a Florida-licensed investigative firm serving clients nationwide and internationally, since cryptocurrency scams and the platforms behind them routinely cross state and national lines.
Talk to Us in Confidence
Ready to organize what you have and find out what else may help? Contact Redbeard Intelligence and Investigations at (888) 564-8300 or email contact@redbeardpi.com for a confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need every item on this checklist before reaching out?
No. More evidence helps, but even partial documentation is useful. Do not delay contacting us while waiting to gather everything.
What if I already deleted messages or blocked the scammer?
Some platforms and exchanges retain records independent of what you deleted on your end. It is still worth documenting whatever remains and letting an investigator help identify what else may be recoverable.
Where do I find a transaction hash if I did not save it?
Your exchange or wallet app usually keeps a transaction history you can export, which typically includes the transaction ID even if you did not record it separately.
Should I finish organizing everything before contacting an investigator?
No. Collect what is readily available first, but reach out promptly rather than waiting for a perfectly complete file.
Will having complete evidence guarantee I get my funds back?
No. Strong documentation supports reporting, investigation, and any legal action that may follow, but no evidence, however complete, can guarantee recovery of lost cryptocurrency.
Why Organize Your Evidence With a Licensed Investigator?
What you save today may be the only record left tomorrow. Redbeard’s licensed investigators can help you organize wallet, transaction, and communication evidence into documentation that reporting agencies, exchanges, and attorneys can actually use.
What is the cost? | how does it work?
At Redbeard Intelligence & Investigations, we offer upfront, transparent pricing that reflects the specific details and complexity of each case. Instead of vague estimates or hidden charges, we provide clear, upfront pricing tailored to your investigation’s unique requirements—without unexpected fees, hidden costs, or additional unexpected expenses. Our goal is to offer efficient, high-quality investigative and intelligence solutions with transparency and peace of mind.
To begin an investigation, intelligence operation, or technical security assessment, the first step is a confidential consultation via phone or email with one of our experienced professionals. During this initial discussion, we will gather key details about your situation to determine the most effective strategy tailored to your needs. Whether you require private investigative services, intelligence gathering, or technical security solutions, our team will develop a customized plan designed to achieve your objectives. Based on the specific requirements of your case, we will then provide a transparent price quote and/or invoice for the cost of the services needed. Throughout the process, we ensure clear and consistent communication, keeping you informed of any significant developments. Upon completion, you will receive a comprehensive written report detailing our findings, along with any supporting evidence such as photos, video documentation, or technical security assessments.
Contact us through phone or email for an initial discussion and provide key details about your needs.
Based on the specific requirements of your case, you'll will receive a flat-rate price quote and invoice for the cost of the services needed.
With pricing and mutual terms accepted, payment will be collected for the predetermined costs, and you'll officially become our client.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed of any significant developments. Upon completion, you will receive a written report detailing our findings, along with any supporting evidence or documentation.
