Case Studies

Case Studies

Recovery from a Fake Crypto Trading Platform

Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Scam Type: Cryptocurrency Investment Scam
Loss Amount: €378,000
Client: Mid-level executive

Background: Our client was lured into investing with a platform that posed as a regulated crypto exchange. The platform promised 20–30% monthly returns and showed fabricated gains in a dashboard interface. Withdrawals were suddenly “frozen” due to alleged tax issues.

Our Approach:

• Conducted forensic blockchain tracing to follow the Bitcoin transfers through mixing services. 
• Identified that the destination wallet belonged to a known scam group flagged by Europol. 
• Worked with a local  cybercrime unit and leveraged our legal partners in Germany to issue a cease-and-desist and a legal request for asset freezing. 
• Engaged a crypto exchange compliance team that had inadvertently processed part of the transaction.

Outcome:

Recovered €294,840 (78%) within 6 weeks. A criminal investigation is ongoing against the fraudsters, with ongoing cooperation between our firm and the Bundeskriminalamt (BKA).

Swiss Client Scammed by a “Green Energy Fund”

Location: Zürich, Switzerland
Scam Type: Ponzi-style Investment Scam 
Loss Amount: CHF 190,000
Client: Retired entrepreneur

Background: The client invested in what appeared to be a legitimate renewable energy fund. The scammers used forged FINMA documents and posed as wealth advisors. Quarterly dividends were paid early on, then ceased

Our Approach:

• Verified documentation with FINMA and determined the fund never existed. 
• Launched a private investigation using financial data from cross-border partners in Liechtenstein.
• Identified two bank accounts used to funnel funds from Swiss investors into shell companies.
• Collaborated with Swiss authorities to freeze and seize the accounts under emergency fraud provisions.

Outcome:

Recovered CHF 140,000 (74%) and helped initiate class action efforts for other investors. Our client also received advisory support to prevent future exposure.

UK-Based Crypto Romance Scam

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Scam Type: Romance-Linked Crypto Investment Fraud
Loss Amount: £52,000
Client: Tech consultant

Background: The client met a scammer via a dating app who convinced them to invest in a “private crypto mining operation.” Funds were sent in Ethereum and routed through obscure DeFi wallets.

Our Approach:

• Performed real-time blockchain analysis using Chainalysis tools. 
• Collaborated with a UK-based crypto compliance partner to flag and monitor wallets associated with the transaction.
• Issued a “crypto scam alert” to multiple exchanges and successfully froze £35,000 worth of ETH within 10 days.
• Assisted the client in filing an official report with Action Fraud and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Outcome:

Recovered £39,000 (75%) within 4 weeks. The client’s story is now featured in a scam-awareness campaign we partnered on with a local consumer advocacy group.