Avoid fake recovery agents after a scam

The pattern behind these second scams

People who have already lost money to a scam are often targeted a second time by someone posing as a recovery specialist, investigator, or lawyer. The approach usually comes soon after the original loss, sometimes within days.

This works because it reaches people at their most hopeful and most vulnerable, right when they want a fast way to undo what happened. The offer plays directly into that hope.

Recognising this as a distinct, separate attempt targeting you again is the first step to avoiding it.

Why a confident promise is the warning sign

No one, including a genuine lawyer, can promise that money will be recovered. Recovery depends on factors like how fast the original scam was reported and whether the receiving account can still be traced, none of which a stranger contacting you out of the blue can assess.

If someone states recovery as a certainty rather than a possibility, treat that as a signal to stop and verify who you are actually dealing with. A civil claim or any recovery route has a realistic, honest range of outcomes, never a guaranteed one.

How the request for payment usually works

Fake recovery agents typically ask for a fee upfront, framed as a processing charge, a tax, or a deposit needed before they can “release” or “unlock” your funds. This mirrors the exact structure of the original scam.

A genuine lawyer explains their fee structure clearly and in writing before any work begins, and you can verify their standing. Read about what a scam lawyer actually costs to understand what a legitimate process looks like by comparison.

Verifying who you are dealing with

Before engaging with anyone offering recovery help, check whether they can be verified as a licensed lawyer or a legitimate firm, and be cautious of contact that arrives only through social media or messaging apps with no verifiable office or registration. A police report about the original scam is always free to file directly.

If you are unsure, a short conversation with someone independent can help you check the legitimacy of an offer before you commit anything.

What to do next

Do not send money to anyone who approaches you promising recovery for an upfront fee, no matter how convincing the story. If you already have, report it separately through 997 and a police report, since it is its own incident.

If you want an honest read on whether an offer you received is legitimate, send us the details before you respond to them.