Victim Resources - PigButchers.net

PBN Note: Below you will find information and links to reporting a crypto scam. These are standard reporting mechanisms and you must use them. Let's be honest with ourselves though - these mechanisms are used primarily for statistics and funding requests for staffing. An agent is not going to knock on your door next week, much less call you to say they're returning your stolen money. That is reality.

We would like to help you. If you want any realistic chance of recovering your stolen funds, you have one narrow window. If you're lucky, the scammer will move your funds through a regulated crypto exchange. When that happens, you can potentially freeze the funds - but only if you act extremely fast.

Time is not your friend with crypto. However, crypto is a public ledger, and almost every transaction can be traced.

⚠️ If you are still in contact with the scammer

Stop sending money immediately. Do not pay any "fees," "taxes," or "withdrawal charges" - these are additional scam tactics designed to extract more money. No legitimate platform requires upfront fees to withdraw your own funds.

Step 1 - Stop & Document

Stop all contact and do not send any more money
Screenshot all conversations, the platform URL, wallet addresses, and any usernames
Save transaction records from your bank, crypto exchange, or wire transfers
Do not delete anything - documentation is critical for law enforcement

Step 2 - Report It

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Primary reporting agency for internet fraud in the United States. File a complaint with as much detail as possible.

ic3.gov →

FTC - Report Fraud

The Federal Trade Commission tracks fraud reports and uses them to build cases against scam networks.

reportfraud.ftc.gov →

CISA

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency - report cybercrime and infrastructure fraud.

cisa.gov/report →

Your Local FBI Field Office

For large losses ($10,000+), contact your local FBI field office directly in addition to IC3.

fbi.gov/field-offices →

Your State Attorney General

Many states have dedicated cybercrime or consumer protection divisions that investigate financial fraud.

Find your AG →

Global Anti-Scam Org

International organization focused specifically on pig butchering scams with a victim support community.

globalantiscam.org →

Step 3 - Contact Your Bank / Exchange

If you sent a wire transfer, contact your bank immediately - there may be a short window to reverse it
If you used a crypto exchange (Coinbase, Kraken, etc.), report the scam and the destination wallet address
If funds went to an exchange that has KYC requirements, law enforcement may be able to freeze them
Keep records of all communications with your financial institution

Emotional Support

Pig butchering scams are designed by professionals to build genuine emotional connections. Being victimized does not reflect on your intelligence - these are sophisticated, well-funded criminal operations that target people of all backgrounds.

GASO Support Community

Peer support community for pig butchering victims run by Global Anti-Scam Org.

Join the group →

r/Scams (Reddit)

Large community that can help verify if a platform is fraudulent and connect you with others who have experienced the same scam.

reddit.com/r/Scams →

SAMHSA Helpline

If you're experiencing significant distress, free mental health support is available 24/7.

1-800-662-4357 →

Tech Safety for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Practical digital security guidance from ExpressVPN for survivors navigating online threats, privacy, and device safety.

Read the guide →

What Is Doxxing?

Guide explaining doxxing risks, why it's dangerous for scam victims, and practical steps to protect your personal information and privacy.

cyberghostvpn.com →

Can I Get My Money Back?

Unfortunately, crypto transactions are irreversible in most cases. However, some avenues exist:

Exchange cooperation: If funds landed at a major exchange, law enforcement can request account freezes
Civil litigation: Some victims have pursued civil cases, though recovery is rare
Tax deductions: In the US, theft losses from scams may be partially deductible - consult a tax professional
Avoid "recovery scams": Companies offering guaranteed crypto recovery are almost always additional scams targeting victims

PBN Practical Steps to Recover Stolen Funds

Here are the recommended steps to give yourself the best possible chance:

Get a police case number immediately
Call your local police department or County Sheriff's financial crimes unit right now. Get a case number and the detective's 24/7 contact information. Write it down and keep it with you. Do this before anything else.
Document the transaction details
Locate the exact crypto deposit addresses you sent funds to, the amounts, and the dates. Write everything down and keep it with you.
Trace the funds on the blockchain
Go to a blockchain explorer (Blockchain.com, Etherscan, etc.) and search the deposit address. Follow the transaction history. Look for any withdrawal that moved your funds to another address. This is often a "bundling" or intermediate address where scammers consolidate victim funds before sending them to an exchange.
Set up real-time alerts on the addresses holding your funds
Subscribe to a reputable blockchain monitoring service that can notify you immediately (by text or app) when a withdrawal occurs from the address(es) holding your crypto. Scammers frequently use bundling addresses before making large withdrawals through exchanges.
Prepare for the moment the funds move
When you receive the alert that your funds are being moved:
- Immediately contact the exchange(s) receiving the funds.
- Provide them with your police case number, the transaction hash(es), the sending and receiving addresses, and the amount.
- Request an emergency freeze under their AML/KYC and fraud policies.
- Have the detective's contact information ready - many exchanges will want to speak with law enforcement directly.
This step must be done within minutes, not hours.

Back up all chats and evidence immediately
Scammers will delete chats the moment they feel pressure. Do this before you stop communicating with them.

Platform	iPhone (iOS)	Android	Windows	macOS / Apple	Linux
Telegram	Official Backup Guide	Official Backup Guide	Desktop Export	Desktop Export	Desktop Export
WhatsApp	Official Chat Backup	Official Chat Backup	WhatsApp Web	WhatsApp Web	Limited / WhatsApp Web only
Signal	Official Backup Guide	Official Backup Guide	Desktop Export	Desktop Export	Desktop Export

Note: WhatsApp and Signal desktop options are limited. Always enable "export chat" or "save media" where available so you capture both messages and attached files/photos/videos.

Consider stalling (only if you can handle it emotionally)
If you're able, stay in contact and delay them. Tell them you're traveling, cashing out retirement funds, taking out a loan, etc. - anything that buys time without sending more money. The longer you can keep them engaged without paying, the more time you and law enforcement may have to get freezes in place.
If you can't do this, that's fine. Just stop responding - but make sure all chats and evidence are backed up first.

Warning: Companies or individuals offering to "recover" your crypto for an upfront fee are almost always running a secondary scam targeting victims. Do not engage with them.