English (US)
How $100,000 in Bitcoin Was Recovered by ChangeNOW & AQ Forensics
In April 2025, a respected Swiss entrepreneur reached out to AQ Forensics. His voice was steady, yet the emotional weight of the past months was unmistakable. He had become the victim of a highly professional social engineering attack—slowly, methodically, and with psychological precision. The criminals built trust, manipulated his perception, and ultimately convinced him to transfer BTC and ETH across multiple transactions to wallets controlled by the perpetrators.
He was no naive investor. He was a successful businessman, media-savvy, intelligent, and experienced. But this case illustrates a truth that is uncomfortable—yet more relevant than ever.
“Anyone can become a victim”—and why these words matter today
During our first conversation, we made it clear that this attack was not a reflection of inadequacy, but of modern criminal capabilities:
Cybercriminals today use AI, deepfakes, and advanced psychological manipulation. They are trained in these technologies. They act with professional precision. Becoming a victim is not a sign of weakness—it simply shows how sophisticated these attacks have become.
For the first time in months, his face softened. A crucial turning point.
The underestimated key: The police report
To move quickly, he provided the police report he had filed months earlier with Swiss authorities. Such reports are invaluable: they contain the essential details in a clear and chronological format, free from emotional distortions.
However, several months had already passed between the transfers, the report, and our initial forensic evaluation—time in which criminals typically move funds across dozens of wallets, protocols, and chains to disguise their trail. But we began immediately.
Digital Obfuscation Techniques – and how we broke through them
It became clear early on that the attackers were no amateurs. Their activity showed classic digital obfuscation patterns often seen in organized cybercrime groups:
- strategic splitting of Bitcoin across multiple transactions
- multi-layered forwarding across wallets and chains
- complex change-address structures that fragment the transaction graph
- coordinated transfers designed to confuse investigators
These techniques are meant to blur the trail. But they did not succeed.
Despite all efforts to conceal their movements, we managed to trace 20 BTC transactions directly to the ChangeNOW platform. A breakthrough.
When compliance works: ChangeNOW acts instantly
Once we had completed our analysis, we notified ChangeNOW’s compliance division. Their response was exactly what responsible platforms should aspire to:
- Immediate acknowledgement of our report
- Instant internal investigation
- Active intervention to block further criminal flows
- Proactive cooperation with investigators
AQ Forensics and ChangeNOW also use similar high-end forensic tools—allowing us to match and exchange data in near real-time. Meanwhile, Swiss authorities were updated to ensure a coordinated, non-duplicated investigative effort.
The ETH trail: From DeFi protocol to USDT on TRON
The ETH trail followed a clear pattern: quick forwarding to a DeFi protocol and conversion into USDT on the TRON blockchain, followed by onward transfers through wallets with known risk flags. We reconstructed every step on protocol level, using direct smart contract and transaction data. Bit by bit, the story unfolded. The criminals were becoming visible.
One wallet remained active—and our systems began watching
One wallet in particular was interesting: it still held BTC. To many victims, such a wallet might seem like a dead end. To us, it was a potential turning point. We explained to our client:
You cannot hack a blockchain wallet— but you can monitor it. The blockchain is transparent. If something moves, we know instantly.
So we watched. Quietly. Patiently. Weeks passed.
And then—everything changed.
The pivotal moment: ChangeNOW intercepts nearly $100,000 in Bitcoin
One morning, we received a message from ChangeNOW:
We were able to intercept close to $100,000 in BTC. Please notify the Swiss authorities immediately.
Authorities soon confirmed:
The intercepted Bitcoin originated directly from our client’s stolen funds.
ChangeNOW promptly initiated the recovery process, transferring the funds to an official law-enforcement wallet—professionally, transparently, and without delay.
For our client, it was overwhelming: He regained a significant portion of his stolen assets after months of fear, shame, and uncertainty.
A rare happy ending – and a message of hope
This case proves:
- Digital obfuscation techniques can be overcome
- Recoveries are possible even months after the attack
- Modern forensics matches the sophistication of modern criminals
- Platforms like ChangeNOW set global compliance standards
- Victims are not at fault—criminals are highly trained and technologically equipped
Most importantly, it sends this message:
You are not alone. You are not to blame. And there is hope—even when everything seems lost.
Sometimes, the blockchain doesn’t just record data— it writes stories that deserve a happy ending.
If you become a victim of crypto fraud: What to do immediately
A simple, effective checklist:
- Stay calm. Panic often makes things worse. You are not the first—and you won’t be the last.
- Secure all data. Wallets, hash values, addresses, transaction IDs.Take screenshots.
- Take screenshots. Chats, profiles, websites, payment requests—everything.
- File a police report. The sooner you do, the better.
- Contact professionals. As a ChangeNOW customer, you should also contact their support team — they will take you seriously and make every effort to help you. AQ Forensics offers a free, confidential initial consultation for victims worldwide.
