The FBI’s San Diego Division is seeking to identify potential victims of cryptocurrency recovery fraud. The FBI recently seized web domains belonging to the companies MyChargeBack, Payback LTD, and Claim Justice pursuant to an investigation into cryptocurrency recovery fraud.  

Cryptocurrency recovery fraud occurs when representatives of fraudulent businesses, claiming to provide cryptocurrency tracing and promising an ability to recover lost funds, contact victims directly on social media or messaging platforms. Victims may also encounter advertisements for fraudulent cryptocurrency recovery services in the comment sections of online news articles and videos about cryptocurrency; among online search results for cryptocurrency; or on social media. 

Recovery scheme fraudsters charge an up-front fee and either cease communication with the victim after receiving an initial deposit or produce an incomplete or inaccurate tracing report and request additional fees to recover funds. Fraudsters may claim affiliation with law enforcement or legal services to appear legitimate. 

Private sector recovery companies cannot issue seizure orders to recover cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency exchanges only freeze accounts based on internal processes or in response to legal process. Victims can also choose to pursue civil litigation to seek recovery of their funds. 

If you paid an upfront fee to a company with the expectation that they would directly assist you in recovering cryptocurrency lost to a scam, and instead you received a questionable tracing report and form letters to send to financial institutions, you may be a victim of recovery fraud. 

If you were victimized by MyChargeBack, Payback LTD, Claim Justice, or have information relevant to this investigation, please fill out this short form.

If you know of someone else who has possibly been victimized by these companies, please encourage them to complete the form themselves.

The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes it investigates. Victims may be eligible for certain services, restitution, and rights under federal and/or state law. Your responses are voluntary but may be useful in the federal investigation and to identify you as a potential victim. Based on the responses provided, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information. All identities of victims will be kept confidential.