Earlier this week, I published a post about pig‑butchering scams. Within hours, a brand‑new LinkedIn account appeared in the comments claiming that a company had “recovered their stolen USDT.” It looked like a glowing testimonial — the kind meant to lure in people who are already hurting.
But something felt off.
So, I investigated.
Here’s what I found:
- The profile photo was a stock image used elsewhere online
- The account had zero followers and no activity history
- The testimonial was scripted and identical to others used in crypto‑recovery scams
- The website they promoted was registered within the past year
- The site claimed to be “trusted since 2015,” despite having no history
- The phone number listed had no owner, no business registration, and no footprint
- The website content was copied from legitimate companies without attribution
In other words: a textbook recovery scam.
These operations target victims of crypto fraud by promising to “recover” stolen funds — something no legitimate company can do. Their real goal is to extract more money, more access, and more personal information from people who are already vulnerable.
I reported the comment to LinkedIn, and they removed it promptly. My reply disappeared with it, which is normal. The profile remains visible for now, but the fraudulent content is gone.
Why am I sharing this?
Because this is exactly how recovery scammers operate on social platforms:
- They search for public posts about scams
- They plant fake testimonials to appear credible
- They use disposable VoIP numbers and newly registered domains
- They impersonate real companies to gain trust
- They rely on victims being isolated, embarrassed, or desperate
If you ever see someone offering “crypto recovery,” “wallet restoration,” or “fund retrieval,” assume it’s a scam. These services do not exist.*
And if you ever feel unsure, reach out. I moderate scam‑prevention communities and I’m always happy to help people verify what they’re seeing.
Stay vigilant. Scammers evolve — but so can our awareness.
~~~
*
“Crypto recovery,” “wallet restoration,” or “fund retrieval” services that promise to get back stolen or scammed cryptocurrency are overwhelmingly scams. They prey on victims who have already lost money, often charging upfront fees before disappearing (a classic advance-fee fraud).
Why most are scams
- Irreversible blockchain nature: Once crypto is sent (especially in scams), transactions are permanent. No one can simply “hack back” or magically reverse it without extraordinary circumstances (e.g., funds still sitting in a traceable wallet that law enforcement can seize).
- Regulatory warnings: The CFTC, FBI, FTC, NASAA, and others explicitly advise that recovery offers after a crypto scam are usually follow-on frauds. The FBI has seized domains of fake recovery companies.
- Common tactics: Scammers contact victims unsolicited (via email, social media, ads), guarantee results, ask for fees in crypto, request seed phrases/private keys, or show fake “success stories.” Many are run by the original scammers or affiliates.
- Statistics and reality: Billions are lost to crypto scams annually, and recovery rates for victims are extremely low. Most “services” deliver nothing but more losses.
Important nuance: Not everything is impossible
There are legitimate services in narrow cases:
- Your own locked/lost access (e.g., forgotten password on a hardware wallet you control, or data recovery from a damaged drive). Specialists in seed phrase or hardware recovery exist and can sometimes help — but success isn’t guaranteed.
- Professional blockchain forensics + legal action: Some law firms, investigators, or firms specializing in asset tracing can follow the money on the public blockchain, create reports for law enforcement, and pursue civil/criminal recovery through courts/exchanges. These are not quick fixes — they involve real investigation, often no upfront “magic” promises, and low success odds for small amounts. They usually work on contingency or hourly fees after assessment.
Even these legitimate options are rare, expensive, slow, and have no guarantees. Random online ads or DMs for them are almost never real.
Bottom line
If someone is offering easy “crypto recovery,” “wallet restoration,” or “fund retrieval” — especially after you lost money to a scam — assume it’s a scam. Do not send money, keys, or personal info. Report it to authorities (FTC, FBI IC3, etc.).
The safest “recovery” is prevention: Never share seed phrases, use hardware wallets, enable 2FA, and verify everything. If you’ve already been scammed, contact law enforcement directly rather than a random recovery service.
My next step…
I will be attempting to take down the fake website.
Rae Stonehouse is a Canadian author, publisher, and advocate committed to exposing publishing scams and supporting writers through education and community. As the creator of Authors Against Scammers, Rae provides clear, practical guidance to help writers protect their work, their money, and their peace of mind. His books and resources reflect a lifelong dedication to empowering others through knowledge, clarity, and real‑world experience.
