What Evidence Do You Need to Report a Crypto Scam? (UK Guide 2026)

Cryptocurrency fraud is surging in the UK, with losses exceeding £300 million in 2025 alone. Unlike bank transfers, crypto transactions cannot be reversed — but they can be traced. This guide explains exactly what evidence you need to build a strong case.

Why Evidence Matters More with Crypto

When you report a bank transfer scam, your bank can see the receiving account. With crypto, the police often lack the tools to trace blockchain transactions. This means the burden falls on you to provide clear, traceable evidence. A well-documented case with wallet addresses, transaction hashes, and a tracing report dramatically increases your chances of action.

Essential Evidence to Collect

1. Wallet Addresses

Every crypto transaction goes to a specific wallet address. This is the most critical piece of evidence. Find it in:

• Your exchange withdrawal history (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken)
• Your personal wallet's "sent" transactions
• The scammer's platform deposit instructions

A wallet address looks like: 0x9a3f...2b1c (Ethereum) or bc1q...xyz (Bitcoin).

2. Transaction Hashes (TXIDs)

Every blockchain transaction has a unique hash — a digital receipt proving the transfer occurred. Find these in your exchange or wallet transaction history. They look like a long string of letters and numbers.

3. Screenshots of the Scam Platform

Before the website goes offline, capture:

• The platform's homepage and login page
• Your account dashboard showing fake "profits"
• Deposit instructions showing their wallet addresses
• Any withdrawal denial messages

4. Communication Records

Save all messages with the scammer:

• WhatsApp/Telegram chat exports
• Email threads
• Social media DMs (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
• Phone call logs and recordings if available

5. Payment Proof

Document every payment you made:

• Exchange withdrawal confirmations
• Bank statements showing fiat-to-crypto purchases
• Credit/debit card statements for crypto purchases

How Blockchain Tracing Works

Unlike cash, cryptocurrency transactions are recorded permanently on a public ledger. Professional tracing follows the money through multiple "hops" — intermediate wallets used to obscure the trail — until it reaches a regulated exchange where the scammer converts to fiat currency. This "cash-out point" is where law enforcement can act.

A professional tracing report typically includes:

• Fund flow diagram: Visual map of where your money went
• Hop analysis: Each intermediate wallet in the chain
• Cash-out identification: The exchange where funds exited
• Risk scoring: How likely the wallets are linked to criminal activity
• Attribution data: Any known entities linked to the wallets

Where to Report

• Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk) — UK national fraud centre
• The exchange — Submit a freeze request to the exchange where funds landed
• The FCA — Report the unauthorised firm
• NCSC — If the scam involved phishing or hacking

Generate Your Crypto Fraud Report Automatically

Collecting all this evidence and structuring it into a police-ready report is overwhelming. TraceProof does it for you:

• Enter your wallet addresses and transaction details
• Our system traces the blockchain flow automatically
• AI generates a forensic report with fund flow analysis
• Legal fraud statement drafted with UK law references
• Ready to submit to Report Fraud in minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can crypto scams be traced?

Yes. Blockchain transactions are public and permanent. Professional tracing tools can follow the money through multiple wallets and identify the exchange where funds were cashed out. This information is critical for police action and exchange freeze requests.

What is a transaction hash (TXID)?

A transaction hash is a unique identifier for every blockchain transaction. It proves you sent funds and shows exactly where they went. You can find it in your wallet or exchange transaction history.

Should I report a crypto scam to the police?

Yes. Report to Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk). While police may not always investigate small individual cases, a formal report creates an official record and may contribute to larger investigations targeting the same criminal network.

Can I freeze crypto at an exchange?

Yes. If tracing shows funds reached a regulated exchange (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken), you can submit a freeze request with your police report reference number. Speed is critical — act within 48 hours if possible.