Guaranteed Returns Scam: Protect Your Family

When this guide applies

Use these steps when a parent, grandparent or relative is promised guaranteed profits from cryptocurrency, a trading platform or an online relationship. Organized scam networks combine impersonation, AI-enabled persuasion, fake platforms or apps, wallet-draining links and romance-based “pig-butchering” approaches. The scale is serious: recent reporting estimates that crypto scams and fraud stole $17 billion in 2025. A typical page or message says “guaranteed returns,” displays apparent trading gains, then asks the victim to deposit more cryptocurrency, connect a wallet or approve a transaction.

Decision steps in order

1. Ask for the exact promise. If the person was told a crypto or trading return is guaranteed, tell them to stop communicating and send nothing.
2. Record the evidence safely. Save screenshots, the sender’s profile, messages, website address, platform name and transaction details without reopening suspicious links.
3. Check the claimed identity independently. Contact the person or organization through a previously known number or an official website you type yourself, not contact details supplied in the message.
4. Block the transaction path. Tell your relative not to transfer funds, install the promoted trading app, connect a wallet, sign a wallet message or approve token access.
5. Explain the danger simply. Say: “The profit shown on this platform may not be real; the purpose may be to make you deposit more or authorize access to your wallet.”
6. Address emotional pressure without blame. If an online romantic contact introduced the investment, explain that sustained personal attention can be part of the fraud rather than proof of trust.

If they already responded

• Stop further payments and communication immediately.
• Contact the exchange, wallet provider or bank through its official channel and report the transaction as fraud.
• Use the wallet provider’s official process to review and revoke suspicious approvals.
• Change exposed passwords, enable strong multifactor authentication and secure the associated email account.
• Report the profiles, website and transaction details to the relevant platform and local law enforcement.

Most common warning signals

• A contact promises guaranteed returns from cryptocurrency or trading.
• A new online romantic interest introduces an investment opportunity.
• A trading platform or app shows profits but pushes for another deposit.
• The sender asks the recipient to connect a crypto wallet to a website.
• A wallet request asks the user to sign a message or approve token access.
• The supposed adviser or company cannot be verified through independently obtained contact details.

What to do now

1. Stop all transfers, wallet connections and approval requests.
2. Save screenshots, messages, profile details, URLs and transaction records.
3. Verify the claimed person or company through independently obtained contact information.
4. Contact the bank, exchange or wallet provider through its official channel.
5. Review and revoke suspicious wallet approvals using the wallet provider’s official process.
6. Secure exposed accounts and report the fraud to the platform and local law enforcement.

Sources

• www.chainalysis.com
• www.fincen.gov
• www.trmlabs.com
• www.justice.gov
• www.europol.europa.eu

Further reading

• Account and Payment Recovery After Tax Refund Phishing
• Account and Payment Recovery Scam Defense Guide
• Romance Scam Trend Analysis for Small Firms

FAQ