Crypto Scam Calls — Fake Investment Recovery Schemes

Crypto-related phone scams come in two main flavours: aggressive "investment opportunity" cold-calls, and "recovery" schemes that target people who have already lost money to a crypto scam. Both rely on building rapport over multiple calls before asking for funds.

Warning signs

• Promises of guaranteed or unusually high returns from cryptocurrency trading.
• A friendly, multi-call relationship before any money is requested.
• Pressure to install a trading app via a download link rather than the official app store.
• "Recovery agents" claiming they can retrieve money you have already lost — for an up-front fee.

Real-world scripts

• ""Our AI-trader has averaged 14% per week — can I set you up with a £250 starter account?""
• ""We can recover the £40,000 you lost — we just need a deposit to cover legal fees.""

If you receive this call

• Verify any UK-regulated investment firm on the FCA Financial Services Register.
• Never install a trading app from a link sent by a stranger.
• Treat any "recovery" approach after a previous loss as a second scam.
• Report the call on GhostCallers and to Action Fraud.

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