ScamLens
US FBI IC3

IC3 is useful for online and cyber-enabled fraud, but it should not replace urgent bank, exchange, or police actions

If the case involves online fraud, crypto transfers, fake investment platforms, phishing sites, remote-support scams, or cross-platform evidence, IC3 is one of the key US reporting channels.

Quick Answer

Quick answer: IC3 works best when you submit a clear online-fraud timeline with the main evidence objects. Preserve hashes, domains, emails, phone numbers, and payment paths before filing.

Crypto scams, fake investment platforms, phishing, and remote-support fraud
Cases involving domains, emails, wallets, and multiple online platforms
Situations where a formal US cybercrime complaint is appropriate

Official Entry

IC3.gov

Official FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center portal

Open official page

Official reporting channels · United States

If this is where you are based, report to your national bodies — they can act on your case directly.

ScamLens is an independent service, not a government agency. We only link to official channels; only the agency itself can process your report.

Official links last verified2026-04-24

When This Reporting Route Fits

  • Crypto scams, fake investment platforms, phishing, and remote-support fraud
  • Cases involving domains, emails, wallets, and multiple online platforms
  • Situations where a formal US cybercrime complaint is appropriate

Prepare These Details First

  • Prepare domains, wallet addresses, transaction hashes, email headers, phone numbers, and chats
  • List the amounts, timeline, platform names, account identifiers, and any institutions already contacted
  • Make sure each key object has a copyable original identifier, not just screenshots

Suggested Order of Actions

Stabilize money and account risk first, then file formally, then add the acknowledgment to your recovery plan.

Freeze any freezeable path first

If the funds are still within banks, card rails, or exchanges, take those actions before waiting on the IC3 complaint flow.

Describe the technical objects clearly

Write domains, emails, wallet addresses, hashes, phone numbers, and account names as searchable indicators, not vague summaries.

Preserve the complaint reference

The IC3 reference helps keep later conversations with police, platforms, and investigators aligned around one record.

What to Do After Submission

Share the IC3 reference with banks, exchanges, or local police where useful
Keep updating your evidence pack so new wallet paths or domain changes are not lost
For crypto cases, continue watching for centralized-exchange touchpoints

What happens after you report

  1. 1

    First 0–48 hours

    Freeze funds and secure accounts. Submit the official report and save the confirmation / reference number. This is the window where money is most recoverable.

  2. 2

    1–4 weeks

    Agencies screen and aggregate reports to spot patterns — most do not reply individually, and silence does not mean nothing is happening. Keep your bank dispute and any platform case moving.

  3. 3

    1–6 months

    Patterns across many reports can trigger investigation or enforcement. Your report adds to that evidence base even if your own case is not resolved directly. Watch for follow-on "recovery" scams targeting recent victims.

Report in parallel, not one at a time

Contact your bank or card issuer FIRST to freeze or dispute the payment — that is the only step with a real recovery deadline. Then file with the official agency and any platform at the same time; these reports do not conflict and filing in parallel does not slow any of them down.

Next Step

Need to connect the official report with your evidence pack?

ScamLens can turn your jurisdiction, payment method, websites, chats, and wallet evidence into a more executable action plan so you repeat yourself less across institutions.

Get an action plan See more reporting routes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IC3 appropriate for crypto scams?
Yes, especially when the case includes websites, wallets, hashes, and cross-platform evidence.
Will someone contact me immediately after filing?
Not necessarily. IC3 is an official complaint and aggregation channel, not an instant-response hotline.
Does an IC3 complaint replace local police reporting?
No. In most cases you should still report to your local police as well.

Related Reporting Guides

Country guide

IC3.gov

Step-by-step reporting guide for this country

US FTC

How to Report a Scam to the FTC

How to report a scam to the US Federal Trade Commission, including what to prepare and what to expect after submission.

UK Action Fraud

How to Report a Scam to Action Fraud

How to report fraud to Action Fraud in the UK, including when to call your bank first and how to prepare the case details.