How to File a Report on Cryptocurrency Fraud: Structure, Evidence, and Formulations

If you have fallen victim to cryptocurrency scammers, it’s crucial to act quickly: gather evidence, document transactions, and pass this information to the exchange’s staff or the police. Grigory Osipov, the Director of Investigations at Shard, explains how to prepare a report that can initiate an investigation and help recover your assets.

When stolen funds are transferred to centralized exchanges, there is an opportunity to block them. These services are required to verify users in accordance with KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations—they collect client information and may suspend suspicious transactions in certain situations.

If you’ve noticed that your funds have reached a specific exchange, contact their support team as soon as possible—via email, chat, or a dedicated form.

Note: Most exchanges operate in English, so it’s best to draft your message in that language.

The quality of your report not only influences the consideration of your case but also affects the effectiveness of the investigation.

Craft a brief yet informative summary of the incident:

If you are a Russian citizen, you can download a standard police report template from the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or through the «Gosuslugi» portal. You can submit the report electronically via «Gosuslugi» or visit your local police station in person.

**Key Elements to Include in Your Report**

Incident details:

Transaction information:

You can find this information using blockchain explorers such as Etherscan, Blockchain.com, or Tronscan.

Providing comprehensive and precise details enhances the likelihood of a prompt response from the cryptocurrency exchange or law enforcement. The more detailed the information, the better the chances of blocking the assets before they are withdrawn. You can gather this data on your own or assign it to specialists in crypto investigations.

**What Phrasing to Avoid in Your Report**

When addressing law enforcement, it’s vital to use precise, legally accurate, and emotionally neutral language. Poorly drafted statements can not only hinder the investigation but may also work against the complainant.

**Why Screenshots are Insufficient**

Many victims limit their submissions to screenshots of conversations with the alleged perpetrators. A screenshot is merely an image; it does not include IP addresses, metadata, digital signatures, or other details to validate its authenticity. Moreover, screenshots can be easily manipulated using graphic editing software.

Therefore, in addition to screenshots, it is advisable to include the following information in your report to law enforcement:

Reports to law enforcement or cryptocurrency exchanges can be submitted directly by the victim or through an authorized representative. These two options differ in content, legal weight, and how they are perceived by law enforcement officials.

Reports from individuals often contain emotionally charged language, unclear exposition of facts, and lack a properly organized evidence base—ranging from transaction receipts to technical data. This complicates the investigation and reduces the chances of the case being opened.

A report prepared by a lawyer, possibly in collaboration with a crypto investigation specialist, is typically more structured, contains references to relevant legal norms, a list of attachments, pertinent screenshots, and technical analysis.

Additionally, professional statements often come with motions for investigations, monitoring timelines, and provisions for appealing the inaction of officials.

The technical aspect is also vital: a cryptocurrency expert can accurately capture and present transaction details in the blockchain as a well-formatted expert report, which is crucial during investigations involving crypto assets. For example, analyzing transaction patterns, identifying related addresses, and checking data from open sources provides authorities with a more complete and reliable picture of what happened.

A well-crafted report is your defense tool. It establishes the fact of fraud, maintains the possibility of asset blocking, and helps avoid potential legal and tax risks.

Even if the loss seems irretrievable, properly compiled evidence and precise language will improve your chances of investigation and accountability for the perpetrators. Additionally, every report contributes to statistics that shape policies in the fight against cryptocurrency fraud.

Gather your data, prepare your documentation meticulously, and contact the police in a timely manner. Don’t hesitate to involve specialists—the more precise your report, the higher the likelihood of it being accepted for action.