Crypto fraud & cybercrime — legal help for victims of trading fraud
Have you lost money in crypto trading or become a victim of cybercrime? Cybercrime usually hits investors unprepared. We stand by harmed investors with legal expertise.
The specialist firm Dr. Greger & Collegen supports victims of crypto fraud and works to get your money back. We specialise in crypto trading fraud and represent harmed investors nationwide and internationally.
What are crypto fraud and cybercrime?
Crypto fraud refers to fraudulent activities involving cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum or altcoins. The perpetrators aim to deceive investors and divert their capital to foreign accounts.
Typical forms of crypto fraud
Fake investment platforms / fake crypto exchanges
- Goal
- Skim off deposits and push users into ever new payments.
- Method
- Users register on fake platforms and lose access to their balance; the platform shows fake profits, payout only against further fees.
- Warning signs
- No regulatory notice, no legal notice (Impressum), payout only against fees.
Phishing of crypto wallets
- Goal
- Access to private keys or seed phrases.
- Method
- Fake emails, websites or fake wallets prompt users to enter sensitive wallet information.
- Warning signs
- Urgency, suspicious URLs, spelling errors.
Rug pulls
- Goal
- Collect funds (e.g. for a new token or NFT) and then abruptly shut down the project.
- Method
- A project is heavily promoted; once enough money is collected, it disappears.
- Warning signs
- Anonymous team, no audit, unrealistic promises.
Pump-and-dump schemes (WhatsApp / Telegram groups)
- Goal
- Price manipulation of small tokens for insider profits.
- Method
- Coordinated buying via social media, followed by a mass sell-off.
- Warning signs
- Sudden hype in groups, low liquidity.
Airdrop or giveaway fraud
- Goal
- Users send crypto expecting a larger payout.
- Method
- Fraudsters promise high rewards for small deposits.
- Warning signs
- Unrealistic promises, fake identities.
Call-centre calls by supposed “advisers”
- Goal
- Push investors into deposits on fraudulent platforms.
- Method
- Lure offers by phone with unrealistically high returns.
- Warning signs
- Pressure to invest quickly, unknown callers, no written documents.
The most common further forms of cybercrime
CEO fraud / Business Email Compromise (BEC)
- Goal
- Money transfers via forged instructions from superiors.
- Method
- An email address is imitated, with a transfer order.
- Warning signs
- Linguistic inconsistencies, slightly altered email addresses.
Tech support / scareware
- Goal
- Obtain system access or a payment by deception.
- Method
- Pop-ups or calls warning of alleged viruses, asking for remote access.
- Warning signs
- Requests for remote maintenance or software installation.
Ransomware
- Goal
- Encrypt data and demand a ransom.
- Method
- Malware is activated via infected attachments or downloads.
- Warning signs
- Suspicious files, suddenly encrypted data.
Romance scam / love scam
- Goal
- Financial exploitation through emotional manipulation.
- Method
- Building romantic relationships online, then demands for money.
- Warning signs
- Excuses about meeting in person, demands for money after a short time.
Fraud in remote jobs or home working
- Goal
- Advance fees or money laundering via victims.
- Method
- Lure offers with high wages, advance fees demanded for equipment.
- Warning signs
- No verification of the company, unrealistic conditions.
Bank liability in crypto fraud: when can banks be held responsible?
More and more investors are putting money into cryptocurrencies — often via supposedly reputable trading platforms. Payments are frequently processed via bank transfers. In these cases the question arises: can banks be liable when they execute transfers to fraudulent crypto platforms or foreign accounts?
The legal situation is complex, but investors should be aware of the following scenarios in which a liability for damages can arise:
Breach of duties to review and to warn
Banks are generally obliged to scrutinise conspicuous transactions. If a transfer abroad goes to a fraudulent account — especially with very high amounts, unusual payees or multiple warning signals — liability can arise if the bank does nothing despite recognisable warning signs.
Example: a transfer to a British company with the reference “Bitcoin Invest”, without any documented customer context or understanding, could trigger a duty to warn. Particularly in phishing cases, we have obtained damages in court for many of our clients.
Bank staff actively give wrong advice or fail to warn
If bank employees knew or should have known of the fraudulent nature of a recipient (e.g. through internal warning systems or ongoing investigations). Foreign banks, trading platforms or cybercrime insurers may also be obliged to pay. We are happy to examine this for you.
Duty to recall upon detected fraud
If fraud is reported by the customer — especially shortly after the transfer — the bank must immediately attempt to recall the payment. If this recall is omitted or made too late, this can likewise give rise to a liability for damages.
Reporting crypto fraud — how to proceed
If you have become a victim of crypto trading fraud, you should act quickly:
- 1Stop payments immediately and make no further transfers.
- 2Preserve evidence: wallet addresses, transfer receipts, chat messages, emails.
- 3Engage a lawyer for crypto fraud to enforce claims for damages and to initiate criminal proceedings through the firm.
Our services for victims of crypto fraud and cybercrime
Criminal representation before specialised cybercrime prosecutors
Filing professional criminal complaints, guidance and representation in investigation proceedings against unknown or identified perpetrators — including joinder as a private accessory prosecutor (Nebenklage).
Communication with investigating authorities
Coordination with police, public prosecutors, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and international authorities for effective criminal prosecution.
Claims against banks and payment service providers
Enforcement of refunds, review of duties to warn, and suspicious-activity (money laundering) reports under §25h KWG / GwG.
Damages against intermediaries and platform operators
Legal review of holdings, wallets or platforms and enforcement of claims against intermediaries or operators of fraudulent schemes.
Evidence preservation and forensic analysis
Support with the technical tracing of blockchain transactions and securing of evidence in cooperation with IT forensic experts.
Civil lawsuits & adhesion proceedings
Representation in proceedings to recover assets — or to claim damages directly within the criminal proceedings (adhesion procedure).
International case handling
Experience with cross-border matters, drawing on our network of specialised foreign lawyers and investigators.
Interview: specialist lawyer Dr. Stephan Greger on the topic
What role does crypto fraud play in the crypto market?
Crypto fraud has increased sharply in recent years. While the market offers opportunities, fraudsters exploit the trust of investors. The losses for investors are often considerable.
What legal options do those affected have?
Affected investors can turn to specialised firms. We review claims, file criminal complaints and pursue damages against fraudsters, banks or platforms.
What particular challenges are there?
The anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies and international structures make investigation difficult. International cooperation with law-enforcement authorities is often required.
What preventive measures can investors take?
Only trade on reputable exchanges, heed warning signals and do not believe unrealistic profit promises. Be cautious with unknown start-ups and ICOs.
Prevention — how to recognise and avoid crypto fraud
- Be sceptical of unrealistically high return and profit promises.
- Never share private keys or recovery (seed) phrases.
- Only trade on reputable, regulated crypto exchanges and check for licences.
- Do not make deposits with unknown start-ups or ICOs.
- Always use HTTPS addresses and keep security software up to date.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Always question unknown contacts and be wary of pressure to invest quickly.
- If in doubt: secure your wallets, contact a specialised law firm, file a report.
Your step toward professional legal advice?
We review your inquiry promptly and discuss the next steps together with you for your competent representation.