I’m a Victim of Financial Crime — What Should I Do?
Falling victim to a financial crime can be overwhelming. Whether it’s a Business Email Compromise (BEC), investment fraud, or another type of scheme, the emotional and financial impact is real—and time is critical. Every hour that passes can reduce your chances of recovering stolen funds. Here’s what you need to know and do immediately.
1. Act Fast — Time Is Everything
The most important step: move quickly. Financial criminals often transfer stolen funds across multiple accounts and jurisdictions within hours, making the trail harder to follow. Delays can close the window of opportunity for recovery. In many cases, law enforcement and financial institutions can freeze or recall funds—but only if they’re alerted in time.
2. Report the Fraud Immediately
Contact your bank or financial institution as soon as you identify the fraud. Ask them to initiate a recall of the funds and to alert their fraud department. If international wires were involved, they may be able to engage with foreign counterparts through interbank networks like SWIFT.
Next, file a report with the appropriate authorities:
In the U.S.: Report BEC or wire fraud to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
In other countries: Contact your national cybercrime or financial fraud agency.
The more detail you provide—transaction records, emails, names, dates—the better the chances of tracing the funds.
3. Engage a Professional Immediately
Financial fraud recovery is complex. The sooner you involve professionals—legal counsel, cybersecurity experts, or forensic investigators—the better your chances. Experts can coordinate with banks, regulators, and law enforcement across borders, increasing the likelihood of fund recovery and reducing exposure to further risks.
4. Preserve All Evidence
Do not delete any emails, texts, or documents related to the fraud. Save all correspondence, contracts, wire confirmations, and screenshots. This evidence is vital for investigators and legal action.
5. Reassess Your Security Measures
After containment, take steps to prevent future incidents. Common entry points include compromised email accounts, lack of verification procedures, and weak internal controls. A full security audit is recommended, especially after a BEC attack.
Financial crime is designed to move fast—your response has to be faster. If you’ve been targeted, do not wait.
Contact us immediately to get expert support in tracing stolen funds, managing response protocols, and protecting your business from further damage.
