Whitmore & Bennett, LLP | New York Online Fraud Lawyers
Whitmore & Bennett, LLP

ONLINE FRAUD - DIGITAL ASSETS - CROSS-BORDER RECOVERY

Legal guidance for
online fraud matters.

We help individuals and businesses assess online fraud, digital asset losses, and potential recovery options. Each matter begins with a careful review of the facts and the available evidence.

Evidence-based assessment. Clear legal guidance.

Discuss your matterMeet Our Team
Online Fraud Legal SupportCryptocurrency Fraud & Asset RecoveryCross-Border Asset Tracing & Recovery

2025 fraud overview

Online fraud in 2025.
Understanding the impact.

Official reporting puts the financial impact of online fraud in perspective and helps explain why careful case assessment matters.

FBI / IC3 · 2025 annual data

These figures reflect complaints submitted to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, including international reports. They describe reported activity rather than the full extent of fraud worldwide.

Scales of justice, legal reference books and organized case files on a desk.
Legal analysis begins with organized evidence.

2025 Internet Crime Report FBI / IC3

Cyber-enabled fraud complaints
452,868Complaints submitted to IC3 in 2025.
Reported cyber-enabled fraud losses
$17.7BLosses reported in cyber-enabled fraud complaints.
Countries with IC3 complainants
200+Across all reported internet-crime categories in 2025.

A cross-border challenge

Online fraud can involve multiple jurisdictions, financial institutions and digital wallets. Reviewing payment records, communications and the sequence of transfers helps identify the relevant parties and assess possible legal steps.

Understanding the response figures

A complaint, an investigation, a prosecution and a return of funds measure different stages. The 2025 IC3 figures presented here do not establish a worldwide case-resolution rate.

The FBI’s Financial Fraud Kill Chain figures describe a specific fund-freezing program. A freeze can preserve funds while further steps are considered; case completion and money returned require separate assessment.

Whitmore & Bennett, LLP

A disciplined approach to your matter.

Our practice focuses on online fraud, digital asset losses and cross-border recovery issues. We start with the facts and the legal options relevant to your circumstances.

Evidence first

We review payment records, transaction hashes, communications and timelines to clarify the facts and assess potential claims.

Jurisdiction considered

We assess cross-border legal issues and the need for coordination with appropriately licensed local counsel where required.

Scope and fees explained

We discuss the proposed strategy, service scope, fees, risks and practical limitations before an engagement begins.

Clear communication

We explain legal options in plain language and provide updates on material developments during the agreed work.

Discuss your evidence and possible legal routes with our firm.

Discuss your matter

Public agency statistics describe those agencies’ reporting and programs. Each matter requires an individual assessment; recovery depends on the evidence, applicable law and available assets.

Our practice

Focused on fraud.
Considered in our approach.

Our practice focuses on online scams, cryptocurrency fraud, investment deception, and cross-border financial losses. We review the available evidence, assess potential legal remedies, and help clients understand the steps that may support asset tracing and recovery.

01 / PRACTICE AREA

Cryptocurrency Fraud & Asset Recovery

Legal support for fraud involving Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and other digital assets, including fraudulent trading platforms, wallet theft, false investment projects, and transfers of cryptocurrency.

Review transaction records and assess tracing and legal recovery options.

Explore this practice

Common situations

Fraudulent exchanges may display fictitious balances or demand further payments before withdrawals. Other matters involve stolen wallets, deceptive token projects, or transfers induced by false promises.

How the matter may be handled

  1. Review the chronology, communications, wallet addresses, and transaction hashes.
  2. Analyze publicly available blockchain records and identify potential tracing leads.
  3. Assess applicable legal routes and, where appropriate, coordinate requests or proceedings involving relevant service providers and local counsel.

What to prepare

Transaction hashes, wallet addresses, platform URLs, deposit and withdrawal records, and original communications. Never provide a private key or seed phrase.

The approach depends on the facts, available evidence, jurisdiction, and agreed scope of work. Tracing or legal action does not guarantee recovery.

02 / PRACTICE AREA

Investment Fraud & Financial Recovery

Support for losses involving fraudulent stock investments, foreign exchange schemes, Ponzi schemes, misleading financial products, and other forms of investment fraud.

Assess the available evidence and potential avenues for financial redress.

Explore this practice

Common situations

These matters may involve false statements about returns, fabricated account statements, unlicensed investment offers, or schemes that use new investors’ funds to pay earlier investors.

How the matter may be handled

  1. Review the investment offer, agreements, payments, and representations made.
  2. Identify relevant parties, jurisdictions, and potential civil claims.
  3. Assess evidence-preservation needs, possible reports to authorities, and proportionate legal action.

What to prepare

Investment agreements, promotional materials, account statements, payment confirmations, and messages with the people or platforms involved.

The approach depends on the facts, available evidence, jurisdiction, and agreed scope of work. Tracing or legal action does not guarantee recovery.

03 / PRACTICE AREA

Cross-Border Asset Tracing & Recovery

Support for matters in which funds or assets have been transferred to another country or jurisdiction.

Coordinate, where appropriate, with locally licensed counsel, investigators, and financial institutions to explore lawful recovery routes.

Explore this practice

Common situations

Assets may move through accounts, entities, or digital wallets across several countries. Different disclosure rules and enforcement procedures can affect what is achievable.

How the matter may be handled

  1. Build a timeline of known transfers and identify available asset-tracing leads.
  2. Assess jurisdiction and coordinate with appropriately licensed local lawyers and relevant investigators where needed.
  3. Consider lawful disclosure, asset-preservation, claim, and enforcement options, subject to local requirements.

What to prepare

Transfer confirmations, beneficiary details, relevant company names, known locations, wallet records, and any existing legal or police documents.

The approach depends on the facts, available evidence, jurisdiction, and agreed scope of work. Tracing or legal action does not guarantee recovery.

04 / PRACTICE AREA

Romance & Social Media Fraud

Support for financial losses arising from online romance scams, false identities, social media investment inducements, and emotional manipulation.

Review communications, payment records, and the circumstances of the loss.

Explore this practice

Common situations

A person using a false identity may develop trust before requesting money or directing a victim to an investment platform. The contact may take place through dating apps, messaging services, or social networks.

How the matter may be handled

  1. Review communications and map requests for money against the payment timeline.
  2. Preserve relevant profile details and available platform evidence.
  3. Assess reporting options and potential legal recovery routes against identifiable recipients or other relevant parties.

What to prepare

Original chats, profile links, usernames, payment records, screenshots with dates, and the sequence of requests or promises.

The approach depends on the facts, available evidence, jurisdiction, and agreed scope of work. Tracing or legal action does not guarantee recovery.

05 / PRACTICE AREA

Bank Transfer & Payment Fraud

Support for bank wire fraud, business email compromise (BEC), unauthorized payments, fraudulent recipient accounts, and payment-channel scams.

Organize transfer evidence and assess options involving relevant institutions and legal processes.

Explore this practice

Common situations

Fraud may involve altered payment instructions, impersonated business contacts, unauthorized transfers, or accounts presented as legitimate recipients.

How the matter may be handled

  1. Review payment instructions, email records, transfer details, and when the fraud was discovered.
  2. Assess prompt contact with the relevant bank or payment provider and available dispute or recall processes.
  3. Consider evidence preservation, reporting, and civil remedies where supported by the facts.

What to prepare

Bank confirmations, recipient account details, original emails including headers where available, invoices, and correspondence with the bank or payment provider.

The approach depends on the facts, available evidence, jurisdiction, and agreed scope of work. Tracing or legal action does not guarantee recovery.

06 / PRACTICE AREA

Identity Theft & Cyber Fraud

Support for identity impersonation, account takeover, theft of personal information, phishing, and associated financial losses.

Assess available records and potential steps to address the financial harm.

Explore this practice

Common situations

Stolen credentials or personal information may be used to access accounts, redirect funds, create fraudulent accounts, or impersonate the victim in financial transactions.

How the matter may be handled

  1. Review affected accounts, unauthorized activity, and evidence of impersonation.
  2. Assess account-security, reporting, and dispute steps with relevant institutions.
  3. Evaluate financial losses and potential legal remedies while documenting the misuse of personal information.

What to prepare

Unauthorized transaction records, account alerts, relevant emails or messages, institution responses, and a timeline. Share sensitive identity documents only through an agreed secure method.

The approach depends on the facts, available evidence, jurisdiction, and agreed scope of work. Tracing or legal action does not guarantee recovery.

07 / PRACTICE AREA

International Litigation & Legal Representation

Legal support involving civil claims, applications to preserve assets, cross-border legal coordination, evidence preparation, and litigation representation.

Representation and court applications depend on jurisdiction, applicable law, and appropriate local counsel.

Explore this practice

Common situations

A matter may require civil proceedings, preservation of evidence or assets, or coordination of claims across jurisdictions. Court relief depends on legal grounds, evidence, and local procedure.

How the matter may be handled

  1. Assess potential claims, responsible parties, jurisdiction, and procedural requirements.
  2. Organize evidence and consider proportionate pre-action or preservation steps.
  3. Where an engagement is agreed, plan representation and coordinate with local counsel when required; evaluate enforcement options for any resulting judgment.

What to prepare

Contracts, payment records, correspondence, a chronology, details of relevant parties and assets, and any existing claims, orders, or judgments.

The approach depends on the facts, available evidence, jurisdiction, and agreed scope of work. Tracing or legal action does not guarantee recovery.

08 / PRACTICE AREA

Blockchain Forensics & Digital Investigation

Support for analysis of blockchain transaction records, tracing of fund movements, identification of relevant wallet addresses, and preparation of evidence for legal investigation.

Tracing may reveal transaction paths; it does not by itself establish wallet ownership or guarantee recovery.

Explore this practice

Common situations

Public blockchain records can show transactions between addresses, but identifying the person controlling an address often requires additional evidence or a lawful disclosure process.

How the matter may be handled

  1. Collect and validate transaction identifiers and relevant chain information.
  2. Analyze transaction paths, address relationships, and potential interactions with identifiable service providers.
  3. Organize findings for legal review or investigation and record limitations, alternative explanations, and further evidence needed.

What to prepare

Blockchain network, wallet addresses, transaction hashes, dates, amounts, and any related exchange or platform records. Wallet access credentials are not required for review of public transactions.

The approach depends on the facts, available evidence, jurisdiction, and agreed scope of work. Tracing or legal action does not guarantee recovery.

Practical guidance

Understand the next step.

Explore the evidence, review process and practical questions relevant to your matter before making an initial inquiry.

Online fraud

From the first contact to the payment record.

Understand the types of online fraud we assess, which records to preserve and how an initial consultation works.

Read the online fraud guide

Cryptocurrency fraud

Transactions, tracing and legal options.

Learn what transaction records can show, the limits of tracing and what to prepare for a cryptocurrency fraud assessment.

Read the cryptocurrency fraud guide

Before you contact us

Organize the facts.
Understand your options.

Keeping an accurate record can help clarify what happened. Preserve original messages and transaction records where possible.

The appropriate next step depends on the facts, applicable law, and whether assets can be identified or reached.

Illustrative still life of a document folder, tablet, magnifying glass, and pen
Careful review of records is the foundation of a considered legal approach.
  1. 01
    Prepare a short timeline

    Note when contact began, what was promised, and when funds were transferred.

  2. 02
    Preserve your records

    Keep bank confirmations, wallet addresses, transaction IDs, and relevant communications.

  3. 03
    Discuss the possible next steps

    Contact us to explore whether the matter fits our services and what information may be needed.

Contact Whitmore & Bennett, LLP

Discuss your matter
with our firm.

Contact us for a free initial case assessment to discuss your circumstances and possible legal avenues.

Please do not send passwords, private keys, seed phrases, or sensitive documents in your initial email.

(347) 279-2686info@whitmorebennett.com
479 Park Avenue South, Seventh Floor
New York, NY 10016

Office Hours
Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM

Open in Google Maps