CRYPTOCURRENCY SECURITY · CRYPTO RECOVERY · 6 MIN READ

If your cryptocurrency has been stolen, the first 24 hours can feel overwhelming. You may be tempted to confront the person responsible, send more funds, contact random “recovery experts,” or attempt to trace the transaction yourself.

The priority should be different: protect what remains, preserve evidence, and document exactly what happened.

Cryptocurrency transactions are generally recorded on public blockchains, which means transaction details can potentially provide valuable evidence. However, a blockchain transaction being visible does not automatically mean the person behind an address can be identified or that stolen funds can be recovered.

Here are the steps to consider during the first 24 hours.

1. Stop Sending Money

If someone has convinced you to send cryptocurrency through a fraudulent investment, romance scam, impersonation scheme, fake trading platform, or another type of scam, stop sending funds.

This is particularly important if someone claims you must pay a:

• Tax before your withdrawal can be processed
• Verification fee
• Blockchain release fee
• Wallet activation fee
• AML clearance fee
• Recovery deposit
• “Gas” payment to unlock your funds

Scammers may claim that another payment will release your original funds. Sending additional cryptocurrency can increase your losses.

If someone who claims to be a recovery specialist asks for cryptocurrency upfront while guaranteeing that your funds will be recovered, treat that as a serious warning sign.

2. Secure Your Remaining Accounts

If your email, exchange account, wallet, or device may have been compromised, secure your accounts immediately.

Consider:

• Changing passwords from a trusted device
• Enabling two-factor authentication
• Reviewing recent account activity
• Removing unfamiliar sessions or connected applications
• Contacting your cryptocurrency exchange or wallet provider
• Moving unaffected assets to a secure wallet when appropriate

If you believe your private keys or seed phrase have been exposed, do not assume that changing a password is enough. The security of the wallet itself needs to be considered.

Never send your seed phrase or private keys to someone claiming to investigate or recover your cryptocurrency.

3. Preserve the Transaction Information

One of the most important things you can do is preserve the original transaction information.

Record and save:

Transaction hash / transaction ID
The transaction identifier can allow investigators to locate the transfer on the relevant blockchain.

Sending wallet address
Document the address from which the cryptocurrency was transferred.

Receiving address
Record the destination address shown in the transaction.

Date and time
Write down when you noticed the transaction and, if known, when it occurred.

Cryptocurrency and amount
Record the asset involved and the amount transferred.

Screenshots
Take screenshots of relevant wallet activity, exchange records, messages, websites, emails, advertisements, and account activity.

Do not edit the original evidence. Keep copies of relevant communications and files in their original form whenever possible.

4. Document How the Theft Happened

The transaction itself is only part of the investigation.

Write down what happened in chronological order.

For example:

March 3 — Contacted through Telegram.
March 4 — Directed to an investment website.
March 5 — Deposited cryptocurrency.
March 7 — Account showed profits.
March 8 — Withdrawal was requested.
March 8 — Website requested an additional payment.
March 9 — Wallet transfer occurred without authorization.

Include names, usernames, email addresses, telephone numbers, website addresses, wallet addresses, transaction hashes, screenshots, and other relevant details.

Small details that seem unimportant at first can become useful when different pieces of evidence are examined together.

5. Contact the Exchange or Service Involved

If cryptocurrency was transferred from an exchange account or passed through a centralized cryptocurrency platform, contact the provider as soon as possible.

Provide factual information about the incident and include the relevant transaction identifiers.

The exchange may have its own procedures for reporting unauthorized transactions or suspected fraud. Depending on the circumstances, information associated with transactions may also become relevant to legal or law-enforcement processes.

Do not assume that an exchange can automatically reverse a blockchain transaction. Many cryptocurrency transfers cannot simply be cancelled after confirmation.

6. Report the Incident to the Appropriate Authorities

Cryptocurrency theft can involve fraud, unauthorized access, identity theft, investment scams, or other offenses.

Depending on where you live and the circumstances of the incident, consider reporting the matter to the appropriate law-enforcement or financial authorities.

Keep copies of:

• Police reports
• Case or reference numbers
• Submitted complaints
• Emails
• Supporting documents
• Transaction records

These records may become important later.

7. Be Careful With “Recovery Agents”

Unfortunately, people who lose cryptocurrency can become targets for a second scam.

Someone may contact you claiming to be a:

• Blockchain hacker
• Government recovery agent
• Cryptocurrency investigator
• “Ethical hacker”
• Exchange employee
• Recovery lawyer
• Cybersecurity expert

They may claim that they have already located your cryptocurrency and only need a payment to release it.

Be cautious.

A legitimate investigation should not require you to hand over your private keys or seed phrase. You should also be suspicious of anyone who guarantees recovery before properly reviewing the circumstances of your case.

8. Get the Blockchain Evidence Organized

Blockchain analysis can potentially help establish the movement of cryptocurrency between addresses.

Depending on the blockchain and available information, an investigation may examine:

• Transaction histories
• Wallet addresses
• Related transactions
• Fund movements
• Interactions with known services
• Timing and transaction patterns
• Points where funds may have entered identifiable services

However, blockchain analysis has limitations.

A wallet address does not automatically reveal the identity of its owner. Identifying a real-world person or organization may require additional information from exchanges, service providers, communications, account records, or legal processes.

That is why a proper investigation should distinguish between what the blockchain proves and what still requires further evidence.

How Crypto Recovery Team Can Help

At Canva Recovery Team, our approach is centered on evidence, documentation, and blockchain analysis.

We can help affected individuals organize the information surrounding a cryptocurrency incident and assess the available evidence.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

Blockchain Investigation & Analysis

Relevant transaction data can be reviewed to help document the movement of cryptocurrency across blockchain addresses.

Evidence Documentation

Transaction hashes, wallet addresses, communications, screenshots, websites, account information, and other relevant material can be organized into a structured case record.

Case Assessment

The available information can be reviewed to identify what is known, what remains uncertain, and what additional evidence may be useful.

Recovery Support

Where appropriate, blockchain findings and supporting documentation can assist clients and their legal representatives or authorities in pursuing available avenues.

No legitimate recovery professional can guarantee that stolen cryptocurrency will be recovered. The outcome depends on factors such as how the funds moved, whether they reached identifiable services, available evidence, applicable laws, and the cooperation of relevant organizations and authorities.

What You Should Have Ready

If you believe you have lost cryptocurrency, gather as much of the following information as possible:

• Transaction hash(es)
• Sending wallet address
• Receiving wallet address
• Cryptocurrency and amount
• Approximate date and time
• Exchange or wallet involved
• Website or platform used
• Telegram, WhatsApp, email, or social-media communications
• Names, usernames, phone numbers, or email addresses used by the suspected scammer
• Screenshots
• Payment receipts
• Previous reports or case numbers

Do not send your private keys, seed phrase, passwords, or authentication codes as part of a recovery inquiry.

The First 24 Hours Matter — But Don’t Panic

Losing cryptocurrency can create enormous pressure to act immediately. But acting impulsively can make the situation worse.

The most useful early steps are usually straightforward:

Stop sending funds. Secure your accounts. Preserve the evidence. Record the transactions. Contact relevant platforms. Report the incident. Then seek informed assistance.

If you have experienced cryptocurrency theft or fraud, Canva Recovery Team can help you organize and assess the available evidence and examine relevant blockchain activity.

Recover What Matters. Pursue the Evidence.

[Request a Confidential Case Assessment →]

Canva Recovery Team provides investigative and documentation support based on available evidence. Recovery outcomes cannot be guaranteed, and clients should consider appropriate legal and law-enforcement channels for their circumstances.