"I Lost 50k in Crypto"
Situations where users lose large amounts, such as $50,00 or more, have become increasingly common. These losses may result from phishing scams, interactions with malicious smart contracts, or simple human error during a transaction.
The question that inevitably follows such a loss is:
"Is it possible to recover?"
And the answer is:
"Yes, there are possible paths for tracking—and, in some cases, recovery."
The first step is to preserve all records related to the incident:
• Transaction hashes
• Wallet addresses involved
• Platforms used (websites, exchanges, DApps)
• Any screenshots that help build a timeline of events
The next step is to file a formal report with local authorities. This should be done through a police report that includes all technical details of the incident. It’s essential to identify the type of incident, as each category of loss requires a distinct approach. Each type of attack involves a specific skill level from the exploiter, and the method of fund evasion often follows accordingly.
The most common include:
• Fake websites, fake support, fake ads, and malicious links
• Tokens or contracts with hidden permissions to drain funds
• Exploits targeting vulnerabilities in smart contracts, such as known flaws or oracle manipulation
• Mistakes like sending funds to the wrong wallet or falling for poisoning scams
Tools like Etherscan and similar blockchain explorers allow tracking the path of funds. More advanced software, or custom scripts created by investigators or developers specialized in this area, can be used to analyze wallet interactions through deeper on-chain data.
On the M13 Digital, we have documented investigations across a wide range of similar cases: scam tokens, rug pulls, market manipulation schemes, and even MEV bots that altered contract behavior to execute exploits. All of this is reported and archived with tracking links, timelines, detailed screenshots, and technical notes explaining the techniques and protocols used by attackers to obscure their actions.
