How do I report crypto fraud to Garda Síochána?
Report the fraud to Garda Síochána as soon as you notice it, and complain to the Central Bank of Ireland if the platform claims to be licensed. The report creates the official paper trail that banks and exchanges need before they will freeze funds.
What to prepare before you report
Gather everything in one folder: the platform's name, website and any app screenshots, your deposit history, bank or card statements showing the payments, wallet addresses and transaction hashes, and the chat or email history with the 'account manager'.
This matters because a report with complete evidence lets every institution act immediately. A report that says 'I was scammed by a trading platform' without details usually stalls.
Where to report
File the fraud report with Garda Síochána at https://www.garda.ie, and keep the reference number you receive. If the platform is licensed or regulated, file a separate complaint with the Central Bank of Ireland.
Also notify your own bank or card issuer that you have filed a report — they will usually ask for the reference number before processing a recall or chargeback. If you are in immediate danger or were threatened, contact the police directly.
What happens after you report
The report itself does not move your money — it unlocks the channels that do. Banks use it to justify recalls, exchanges use it to process freeze requests, and regulators use patterns of complaints to act against platforms.
Report early even if you feel embarrassed or the amount seems small. Most scams are run by the same networks across hundreds of victims, and reports are what connect the cases.
Frequently asked questions
I already contacted my bank — do I still need to report?
Yes. Banks typically require a police or fraud report reference before they process a recall or chargeback, and the report strengthens your case if the bank initially refuses.
Can I report anonymously?
Most reporting bodies accept anonymous reports, but an anonymous report cannot be tied to your case, so it will not support a freeze on your funds. Report under your own name for anything involving your own money.
Will reporting get my money back?
Reporting enables recovery — it does not guarantee it. It is the prerequisite for chargebacks, recalls and exchange freezes, which is why it is always the first step we recommend.
Video transcript
How to report crypto fraud, step by step
- 0:00
- Reporting crypto fraud promptly protects you — and creates the paper trail that makes recovery possible.
- 0:15
- Step one: gather your evidence — transaction hashes, wallet addresses, emails, chat logs, and the platform's name.
- 0:40
- Step two: report to Garda Síochána. Step three: complain to the the Central Bank of Ireland if a firm was involved.
- 1:10
- Step four: ask your bank or card issuer to dispute the payments. Step five: keep every reference number.
- 1:45
- Done in the first days, this sequence gives you the best chance of freezing funds before they are moved offshore.
Not sure where your situation fits?
Describe what happened in your own words. We will tell you honestly whether a cryptocurrency trading loss review is the right next step.