Legitimate crypto recovery: who can you trust after a scam?

Does legitimate crypto recovery actually exist?

Yes and no. There are serious people who can help after a scam: solicitors, investigators and, of course, the police. But the word “recovery” is also a favourite of fraudsters. They know that someone who has just lost money badly wants to believe it will come back. That is a recovery room scam: you are scammed a second time by someone promising to put the first one right.

Europol warns that people who have already lost money are often targeted again, or have their details sold on to other criminals (Europol, investment scams). The FCA says the same: fraudsters often target people who have lost money before, sometimes the original scammers themselves (FCA, recovery room scams). So being contacted soon after your loss is no coincidence. There is more background in our glossary entry on the recovery scam.

What are the warning signs of a recovery room scam?

None of these signs proves anything on its own. It might be a scam, but it doesn’t have to be. They are, however, the points Paucitas looks at first in practice:

• You are contacted out of the blue. Someone calls, emails or messages you and already knows you have lost money.
• An outcome is promised. “We will get your money back”, often with a percentage or a deadline.
• You have to pay first. Admin fees, tax, a deposit or a payment in crypto to “release” your funds.
• An authority is mentioned. The firm claims to work with the police, the FCA, a bank or a government body.
• There is pressure or secrecy. You must decide quickly, keep it to yourself, or hand over your recovery phrase, login details or remote access to your computer.

The FCA points out that fraud reports are only shared between law enforcement agencies, not with private firms, and advises you to end all contact if you are asked for a fee or bank details (FCA). If someone uses the FCA or the police to win you over, that is a reason to be extra careful.

How do you recognise a firm you can trust?

A trustworthy firm tells you first what is possible, and also what isn’t. It doesn’t promise an outcome, it explains how it works. You know who you are dealing with, where the office is and what it costs before anything happens. You aren’t rushed, and you are free to talk it over with someone else.

That is how Paucitas works too. We believe you should be able to see exactly who you are dealing with, so we are fully transparent:

• An office you can visit. Paucitas is based in the Netherlands, at Weesperstraat 107, 1018 VN Amsterdam. You are welcome at the office, by appointment.
• Public company details. Paucitas B.V. was founded in 2021 and is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 83489649. Our address, registration number and VAT number are listed openly on our website.
• People with a name and a face. On the our team page you can see who works at Paucitas.
• Experience. Paucitas handles hundreds of cases a year.
• What clients say. On our Google business profile you can read many reviews from people who were in your position.
• Always reachable. You can call 24/7 on +31 20 244 5774, weekends included.

Every investigation is tailored. You get a tailored quote in advance that we go through together, with no surprises, and we only start once you agree. Unsure about a firm that has approached you? Call or email Paucitas, and we’ll look at it with you before you pay anything.

I have already paid a recovery firm. What now?

Our advice: hold off on paying anything more for now, even if you are told it is the last payment. Keep everything: messages, emails, the website, the phone number and your payments. Firms like these can become hard to reach quite quickly. There is no need to feel ashamed; it happens to very careful people too.

A second payment leaves a trail, just like the first. Sometimes it turns out to be a genuine firm and not a scam at all. Sometimes you still have technical access to your own wallet, and Paucitas helps you get back into it. And if the money has been moved on, Paucitas maps out where it went. Also read scammed twice with crypto. Get in touch, and you’ll soon know where you stand.

What can you do with the Paucitas report?

The report shows whether there is still money available, or where it has gone. It also sets out the next steps. If it turns out to be a scam, that might be a report to Report Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland on 101. The Paucitas report is a strong attachment to that, because it sets everything out fully and clearly. It is also a solid basis for a conversation with your bank or solicitor.

What Paucitas does for you

Paucitas looks into the whole story, not just one transaction. Where did your money go, through which platforms and addresses, and are the payments to a recovery firm linked to the original scam? Paucitas does all tracing itself, without tracing tools. On top of that, Paucitas reads through all the conversations, documents, emails and other communication. That gives a complete picture, with a timeline of what happened and where all the money went, step by step. You receive a report that anyone can follow and understand step by step.

You provide what you have. You don’t need to have everything; Paucitas helps you gather it. An investigation takes from the same day to around two weeks. You can always call, 24/7, on +31 20 244 5774. Through the contact form you’ll hear from us within 1 to 3 hours, and we answer emails within 24 hours, usually the same day.

Sources: FCA, recovery room scams; Europol, investment scams; Report Fraud; Police Scotland, scams and frauds.