Scam Investigators in Australia Tracing Scammers Globally

Phishing, romance baiting, and online investment scams are some of the most frequent types of cyber fraud, targeting individuals through deceptive communications or websites. Online job scams are also one of the most sophisticated and prevalent types of fraud currently occurring.

The chance of recovering money lost to a scam depends on each individual situation. The first step in the asset recovery process is to investigate and identify the offender. If the scammer is identified through an investigation, you will have options to recover your money.

While recovering money can be difficult, our scam investigators specialise in identifying scammers and providing the evidence necessary for legal or police action, which could help in asset recovery.
Recovering funds from a scam is certainly not a quick and easy process. However, scammers shouldn't get away with it any longer and Cybertrace’s proven track record demonstrates the capacity to assist in financial fraud recovery.

To avoid being scammed, always verify the legitimacy of websites and emails before engaging with them. However, it is important to note that fraudsters are extremely clever in how they falsify their legitimacy. Sometimes they impersonate registered and licensed companies, or steal the financial licence details of unsuspecting professionals. Even the most savvy investors can conduct their own indepth due diligence, only to later learn the investment was not genuine. Cybertrace provides scam prevention services for those wanting to ensure the legitimacy of an investment. And we have a range of scam prevention tools available.

The time it takes to investigate cyber fraud varies depending on the case. Cybertrace prioritises important tasks as soon as engaged, such as downloading a forensic copy of the scam website and conducting other techniques that cannot be done if the scam website becomes inactive.

Our investigations focus on results, not a quick turnaround time. Complex fraud cases require in-depth investigations and there are no shortcuts to the desired result.

Whilst the victim’s funds are sent in crypto, there is still a beneficiary of the fraud and through identification of the offender, the recovery process can be commenced. There certainly is no quick and easy method. Recovery does not mean hacking into wallets or reversing transactions on the Blockchain, but yes, crypto can be recovered if the offender can be identified. By tracing the victim’s crypto, the scammer can be identified and then pursued.

If you want to report a scam, most countries will have a government website to report scams. In Australia, you can report a scam to ScamWatch, ReportCyber, your local police (any country), or if you are in the USA, report a scam to the FBI – IC3.

A scam investigator is a private specialist who undertakes investigations for online fraud cases, commonly referred to as scam investigations. They primarily identify offenders, collect digital evidence, and support victims, lawyers, and law enforcement with factual findings. They commonly investigate things such as fake investment websites, romance scams, payment redirection fraud, impersonation scams, and cryptocurrency scams.

Their work may include:
• Analysing websites, emails, phone numbers, cryptocurrency wallets, social media accounts, and domain records.
• Tracing transactions and general cyber footprints.
• Identifying offenders or linked entities.
• Preserving evidence for court.
• Preparing reports for victims, lawyers, banks, regulators, or police.

A scam investigator usually does not “get your money back” directly, however, their specialist work is essential for any asset recovery operation. Their main role is to investigate, identify, trace, and document the scam and identify offenders so the evidence can be used for recovery efforts, legal action, exchange requests, or police referrals.

Cybertrace are recognised global experts in Scam Investigations with over 10 years’ experience. We have pioneered investigative techniques now known as website forensics and were the first company in Australia to offer cryptocurrency tracing services to the public. Unlike the majority of scam investigators, Cybertrace use hybrid reporting by providing both evidence and intelligence linked to the offenders. Should evidence be limited, Cybertrace scam investigators provide intelligence that often drives the direction of subsequent police investigations and recovery operations.

An online scam is a fraudulent scheme conducted over the internet where a scammer deceives a victim into sending money, personal information, or assets. These scams often involve fake websites, impersonation, fake trading platforms or investment opportunities designed to appear legitimate.

Yes, Cybertrace works with law enforcement agencies in Australia and around the world.

Police are often overwhelmed by the volume of cyber scam reports they receive, which can result in delays or limited action for victims. Cybertrace assists by conducting a private fraud investigation, identifying evidence and preparing structured reports that help victims present their case more clearly to law enforcement.

In some matters, police involvement may be required. Victims have a stronger chance of having their matter reviewed or actioned when they can provide a detailed Cybertrace report outlining the evidence, investigative leads and, where possible, the individuals responsible.

In previous matters, evidence collected by Cybertrace has been used by law enforcement agencies in Australia and overseas. Cybertrace reports have also been accepted and used in criminal and civil court matters internationally, including in the United States, Israel and Argentina.

Cybertrace fraud investigations have contributed to law enforcement outcomes including call centre raids and international arrests.

Tracing a scammer usually requires analysing the digital evidence they have left behind. This may include websites, phone numbers, email addresses, crypto wallets, social media profiles, usernames, payments, documents and communications.

Cybertrace uses a combination of cyber investigation techniques, open source intelligence, blockchain analysis, website forensics, specialist databases and traditional investigative methodology to identify digital footprints and connect them to individuals or organised scam networks.

Here are some unique capabilities and tools Cybertrace has developed so that you can conduct your own searches to trace the scammer.

Scam Phone Lookup Tool (SPNL):
If the scammer contacted you by phone or WhatsApp, you can search the phone number using Cybertrace’s free Scam Phone Lookup Tool. This may help identify whether the number has previously been reported, whether it appears in scam related activity, or whether it has indicators consistent with scam use.

Deep Scan:
Cybertrace’s phone number Deep Scan capability allows users to conduct deeper checks across multiple data points connected to a scam. This tool is a real investigative capability able to link phone numbers to names, online accounts and other identifying points to assist identifying scammers.

If you believe you have been scammed, act quickly. Save all messages, emails, phone numbers, websites, screenshots, transaction receipts, wallet addresses, bank transfer records and documents connected to the case. Do not delete communications with the scammer, and do not send further funds. Cybertrace can review the available evidence and advise whether there are realistic investigative pathways.