Many people who have fallen victim to an investment scam desperately seek ways to recover their lost funds. Scammers exploit this vulnerability through investment recovery scams. These schemes typically involve fraudsters posing as law firms, asset recovery specialists, or government agencies claiming they can help you retrieve your money - but for a fee.

 

How They Operate

  • Unsolicited Contact: Victims receive emails, calls, or messages from individuals claiming to have insider knowledge or special authority to recover lost investments. Sometimes they work hand in hand with the original scammer.
  • Upfront Payments: They demand payment for “legal fees,” “taxes,” or “processing charges” before any recovery begins.
  • False Promises: They guarantee success or claim to have already traced your funds, which is rarely true.
  • Use of Official-Looking Documents: Scammers often send fake contracts, government seals, or recovery certificates to appear legitimate.

 

Red Flags

  • They request advance fees or personal financial details.
  • They utilise pressure tactics, such as “limited time offers” or threats of losing your chance to recover funds.
  • They claim guaranteed recovery - no legitimate recovery service can promise this.

 

What to Do if You Suspect a Scam

If you think you've been targeted by a scam or have already lost money:

  1. Contact your bank immediately. If you have made a payment, your bank may be able to stop the transaction or recover the funds. If you are a Queensland Country Bank Member and are in doubt about a transaction, contact us on 1800 075 078.
  2. Report the scam. You can report scams to Scamwatch, which helps track scam trends and warn others.
  3. Change your passwords. If you have shared any personal information, change the passwords on your online accounts to prevent further unauthorised access.

Stay vigilant and take the time to stop, check, and protect.

 

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