Safety · International
Recovery scams: the second wave, and how to recognise it
People who have lost money are often targeted again by someone promising to get it back. Here are the signs.
By Stonebridge Resolution · Published 4 October 2026 · Updated 4 October 2026
The short answer
Anyone who contacts you offering to recover lost money for an upfront fee, guarantee or claimed government link is very likely running a second scam.
Why this happens
Lists of people who have been scammed are shared and sold. Shortly after a loss, you may be contacted by someone who seems to understand exactly what happened, offering to recover your money. Many of these offers are a second scam.
Warning signs
- They contacted you first, often knowing details of your loss.
- They ask for an upfront fee, a "tax", or a "release charge" before anything happens.
- They guarantee results, or quote an unusually high success rate.
- They claim to be affiliated with a government, regulator or law enforcement agency.
- They ask for remote access to your device, or for crypto or gift card payment.
- They press you to act quickly or keep it confidential.
Safer ways to check
Look up any firm independently on official regulator or bar association registers in your country, and call using contact details you found yourself. Genuine government agencies do not charge victims to recover funds. If something feels uncertain, pause. A legitimate option will still be there tomorrow.
Checklist
- Do not pay any upfront fee, tax or release charge
- Check firms on official regulator registers yourself
- Call back using contact details you found independently
- Never grant remote access to your device
- Report the approach to your fraud reporting service
Common questions
Do government agencies charge to recover funds?
No. Genuine agencies do not charge victims to recover money.
How did they know about my loss?
Victim lists are shared and sold between criminals, which is why recovery approaches often follow soon after a loss.