Who investigates fraud through a romance scam?
In short: A romance scam is rarely about a single payment; there is usually a series of transfers, a story that ran for months and a counterparty who was never seen in person. Paucitas investigates the part that is on record: the payments, the wallet addresses and the route the funds took.
Prefer to speak to someone straight away? Call 24/7+31 20 244 5774
What Paucitas does in a romance scam case
We start with the timeline: when the contact began, when the first investment was suggested and which amounts were transferred when. We then follow those payments on the blockchain, from your own wallet or exchange account to the counterparty addresses and onwards.
We check whether those addresses can be linked to a fake crypto platform, to a known pattern or to a cash out point at an exchange. What we find and what we cannot establish both go into the report.
What you supply
Paucitas needs the transaction hashes or wallet addresses you paid to, the bank statements for the transfers, the screenshots of the contact and of the trading platform, and a short description of how things unfolded. Profile names, phone numbers and links to the app or website are useful too.
Have you deleted part of it, or was an account removed? Say so, and we will take that into account. An incomplete file is no reason not to start.
What you receive
Paucitas delivers a report with the timeline, the route the funds took, the points we were able to establish as fact and an assessment of their evidential value. It comes with a clear list of what remains unknown.
We do not promise recovery of your funds. What the report can do is turn your account of events into something a lawyer, a bank or a court can read and weigh.
How to get started
You get in touch with Paucitas with a short description and the data you hold. In a first conversation you will hear whether an investigation can achieve anything in your situation and what it costs. If it cannot, we say so straight away.
The UK financial regulator publishes background on crypto and the risks that come with it: see FCA: crypto basics and FCA: recovery room scams.
A romance scam is a personal matter as well as a financial one. We handle the factual part; for the legal steps you work with your lawyer.
Would you like to know what this means for your situation? Ring us on +31 20 244 5774, day or night, or fill in our contact form and you will hear from us within 1 to 3 hours. We answer emails within 24 hours, usually the same day. The intake is free and without obligation.
Do you have a question about your own situation?
Feel free to get in touch with Paucitas. Paucitas can be reached by phone 24/7, including evenings and weekends. Through the contact form we usually reply within 1 to 3 hours, and we answer e-mail within 24 hours.
Contact form
Usually a reply within 1 to 3 hours
"*" indicates required fields
We only use your details to contact you about your request. You can read more about this in our privacy statement.
Frequently asked questions
About your case
Who investigates fraud through a romance scam?
Paucitas, an independent blockchain investigation firm, investigates the payments and the route of the funds; the legal follow up runs through your lawyer.
Can Paucitas get my money back?
Paucitas: that depends on your situation. If you still have access to your own wallet or account holding funds, there may still be options. If everything has been sent to the fraudsters, the picture is different. That cannot be judged from a distance. Paucitas first looks at your situation and tells you honestly what is and is not possible. Be careful with anyone who promises in advance that your money will come back. In doubt? Contact Paucitas and you will know where you stand.
Is an investigation worthwhile if the chat history is gone?
Paucitas: often yes. The payments themselves are on the blockchain and stay visible, even when the app or profile has disappeared.
From Amsterdam, for the whole of the UK
Everything can be done fully online. Prefer to meet in person? You are very welcome at our office in Amsterdam, by appointment.
Paucitas is an independent expert firm based in the Netherlands that, for clients across the UK, investigates investment fraud and crypto fraud, establishes the origin and legitimacy of crypto assets and prepares expert reports for legal proceedings and compliance.
Your own situation
If you are reading this, you probably have a question about your own situation. That is exactly what Paucitas does.
The first step is contact by phone. You can book that call by phone or through the contact form, so you do not have to wait. In the call we look together at what can factually be established in your case and what Paucitas can examine for you.