How We Assisted in Recovering Over $2.5M Lost to Fraudulent Attacks in Cooperation with U.S federal agencies

How We Helped Recover $2.5M Lost to Social Engineering with U.S. Agencies

Welcome to the ChangeNOW Blog, where we are committed to providing accurate and trustworthy content about cryptocurrency and blockchain. Our mission is to empower readers with well-researched, unbiased information to help them make informed decisions. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, but it is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice; readers should conduct their own research due to the high risks associated with cryptocurrency. We operate independently from advertisers and do not accept compensation for coverage, ensuring objective insights. We value reader feedback and encourage suggestions to improve our content while ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. At ChangeNOW, we firmly stand for the values of blockchain freedom, decentralization, and financial privacy. These principles are the foundation of our platform, and we believe in defending them not just in words, but in action. Decentralization must never become a shield for fraud. Our mission also includes actively standing up to those who abuse these values for their own gain. We are proud to share a recent success story that demonstrates our continued commitment to integrity and user protection in the crypto space.

A Coordinated Response to Social Engineering Fraud

Recently, ChangeNOW was alerted to suspicious activity involving a transaction flagged by our internal AML systems. ChangeNOW’s commitment to protecting the crypto ecosystem is not just theoretical — it’s practical and measurable. In recent months, we have successfully worked alongside U.S. federal agencies to recover funds lost in major crypto scams driven by social engineering attacks. In close cooperation with **Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)**— a U.S. federal agency dedicated to investigating cybercrimes that target U.S. citizens — we were able to identify that the funds in question, totaling nearly $295,000, had been stolen from a victim through a sophisticated social engineering scam. In another, ChangeNOW collaborated directly with the FBI to help recover almost $2 million, intercepted before it could be laundered through multiple wallets — a case that required real-time risk detection and cross-border coordination. A third recovery, also in partnership with the FBI, involved assisting another victim by freezing and returning close to $260,000 that had been stolen through similar tactics. To clarify, these attacks are not about exploiting code—they’re about exploiting people. The social engineering definition involves manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or taking harmful actions, often by impersonating someone trustworthy. Once alerted, our AML protocols immediately halted the transaction for review. Following our standard procedures, we requested verification documents from the sender and conducted an internal investigation. It quickly became clear that the origin of funds was suspicious and likely tied to criminal activity. Thanks to the swift and professional collaboration with HSI and FBI, and with the consent and support of the affected parties, we were able to successfully recover and return the stolen funds to the victim.

Let’s Talk Honestly: This Could Happen to Anyone

Dear readers, let’s be real — you, or someone you know, may have experienced something like this. This wasn’t a Hollywood-style hack involving sophisticated algorithms or brute-force attacks. No. The most damaging crypto scams today don’t come from technical exploits — they come from psychological manipulation. It happens when someone earns your trust, pretends to help you, builds a fake sense of safety… and then takes everything. That’s a social engineering attack, and it’s just as dangerous — if not more — than any malware or exploit.

How to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering Attacks

To prevent yourself from becoming the next victim of a crypto scam, here are a few critical tips: Never trust unsolicited offers involving crypto investments, giveaways, or support services — especially if they contact you first.

• Double-check identities. Scammers often pose as company representatives, friends, or authority figures. When in doubt, verify via official websites or known contacts.

• Never share your wallet seed phrase or private keys — with anyone. No legitimate platform will ever ask for it.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your accounts.

• Stay skeptical of urgency. Phrases like “you must act now” or “you’ll lose your funds if you don’t comply” are red flags.

• Educate yourself and others. Talk about crypto scams openly. The more we share, the less power fraudsters have.

If something feels off, pause, research, and ask questions. Trust is earned, not rushed.

Our Commitment to Victims and Law Enforcement

This case is a powerful example of what’s possible when responsible crypto platforms and law enforcement work together. It highlights that crypto can be both private and secure — without becoming a haven for fraud. We want to emphasize the following: ChangeNOW does not profit from frozen or returned funds;

We are committed to resolving legitimate cases as quickly and transparently as possible;

We welcome cooperation with law enforcement agencies globally to assist victims of cybercrime and protect the ecosystem as a whole.

Why Our AML Systems Matter

As a non-custodial platform, we value user privacy — but we also recognize the responsibility we hold to protect the broader ecosystem. Our platform integrates advanced risk monitoring tools designed to flag unusual or high-risk activity in real time. This process may lead to temporary transaction delays for a small percentage of users, but it’s an essential safeguard to protect the integrity of our services. In addition to our internal processes, our team continuously engages in ongoing training, partnerships, and tooling improvements to stay ahead of evolving threat vectors.

So, Is Cryptocurrency Safe?

The answer is — cryptocurrency is as safe as the systems and behaviors that surround it. Blockchains are secure by design, but human factors remain the weakest link. That’s why proactive risk management, smart regulation, and user education are more essential than ever.

At ChangeNOW, we remain committed to protecting the ecosystem and our users — not just with technology, but with principles. If you believe you’ve been a victim of crypto-related fraud, we encourage you to report the incident and contact us at compliance@changenow.io. Our team is here to support you and help you recover what matters most — your trust.