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Reporting Fraud

Step-by-step guidance on reporting financial fraud to the right authorities. Acting quickly improves your chances of recovery and helps protect others.

Before You Report

Gather as much evidence as possible before filing your report. The more detail you provide, the more useful your report will be to investigators.

Evidence Checklist:

  • Screenshots of all communications (emails, messages, social media)
  • Transaction records: bank statements, crypto transaction hashes
  • Website URLs, email addresses, phone numbers used
  • Any contracts, account statements, or documents provided
  • Names, usernames, and profile photos of those involved
  • Dates and timeline of events

Important: Do not confront the fraudster or warn them that you are reporting. This may cause them to destroy evidence or disappear.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) — United Kingdom 🇬🇧

The FCA regulates financial services in the UK. Report unauthorised firms, clone firms, and investment scams.

Website: fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam
Phone: 0800 111 6768

What to include in your report:

  • Name and contact details of the firm or individual
  • FCA registration number they claimed to have
  • How you were contacted (email, phone, social media)
  • Amount invested and dates of transactions
  • Bank account details used to receive your money
  • Any documentation: emails, contracts, screenshots

What happens next: The FCA will add the firm to their Warning List if appropriate and may launch an investigation. They cannot recover your money directly but their action helps prevent others from being scammed.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — United States 🇺🇸

The SEC regulates securities markets in the US. Report investment fraud, Ponzi schemes, and unregistered securities offerings.

Website: sec.gov/tcr
Phone: 1-800-732-2898

What to include in your report:

  • Name of the company or individual
  • Description of the investment and how it was sold to you
  • Amount invested and dates
  • How you were contacted
  • Any documentation: prospectuses, account statements, emails
  • Names of other potential victims if known

What happens next: The SEC reviews all tips and may open a formal investigation. Whistleblowers who provide original information may be eligible for awards of 10-30% of sanctions collected.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) — Australia 🇦🇺

ASIC regulates financial services in Australia. Report unlicensed operators, investment scams, and financial fraud.

Website: asic.gov.au/report-a-scam
Phone: 1300 300 630

What to include in your report:

  • Name and contact details of the firm
  • AFSL number they claimed to hold
  • How you were approached
  • Amount invested and transaction details
  • Website URLs and social media profiles
  • All correspondence and documentation

What happens next: ASIC will assess your report and may add the firm to their warning list, investigate, or refer to other agencies. They also share information with international regulators.

Action Fraud — United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Report all types of fraud here, including investment scams.

Website: actionfraud.police.uk
Phone: 0300 123 2040

What to include in your report:

  • Your personal details and contact information
  • How the fraud occurred — full timeline
  • All financial transactions: amounts, dates, accounts
  • How you were contacted initially
  • All communications with the fraudster
  • Any websites, phone numbers, or email addresses used

What happens next: Action Fraud passes reports to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) which analyses patterns and passes cases to police forces for investigation. You will receive a crime reference number.

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) — United States 🇺🇸

The FBI’s IC3 accepts online complaints about internet-facilitated crime including investment fraud, romance scams, and crypto fraud.

Website: ic3.gov

What to include in your report:

  • Your contact information
  • Financial institution information
  • How you were victimised — detailed description
  • All transaction information: amounts, dates, accounts
  • Email addresses, websites, and phone numbers used by fraudsters
  • Any usernames or social media profiles

What happens next: IC3 reviews complaints and refers them to appropriate law enforcement agencies. Aggregated complaint data is used to identify trends and support investigations. You may be contacted by law enforcement.

What to Expect After Reporting

Reporting fraud is important even if you don’t expect to recover your money. Here’s what typically happens:

  • Timeline: Investigations take time — often months or years. Don’t expect immediate action or updates. Regulators prioritise cases based on scale and evidence quality.
  • Recovery: Direct recovery through regulatory complaints is rare unless the firm was authorised and has assets. Criminal prosecutions sometimes result in confiscation orders that benefit victims.
  • Collective Impact: Your report matters even if nothing happens in your case. Aggregated reports help regulators identify patterns, issue warnings, and build cases against organised fraud networks.
  • Protecting Others: Regulatory warnings based on reports prevent others from being victimised. The FCA Warning List, SEC investor alerts, and ASIC warnings all rely on victim reports.

Other Regulators & Resources