How Our Recovery & Investigation Process Works

Introduction — why transparency and method matter

The landscape of digital asset loss is nuanced: funds are pseudonymous, transactions are immutable, and malicious actors continuously evolve their techniques. For victims, the emotional toll compounds the technical complexity; feeling unheard or uncertain delays action and can decrease chances of successful recovery. That is why a deliberate, fully documented process is essential. Our approach is built on three pillars: evidence preservation, disciplined forensic analysis, and responsible legal coordination. Preserving evidence from the earliest moment — including wallet data, exchange correspondence, and device metadata — is often the difference between a recoverable case and one where assets vanish into mixing services or privacy coins permanently.

Step 1 — Initial Contact & Triage (rapid response)

The first hours and days following a discovery of loss are critical. Rapid triage establishes priorities: is the loss continuing (e.g., live drain of funds), or was it a one-time transfer? Has any affected exchange or custodian been notified? We instruct clients on immediate preservation steps (do not power-off devices, take screenshots of open sessions, save browser histories, and copy transaction IDs). During triage we collect basic metadata: wallet addresses, timestamps, screenshots, exchange accounts, and any communication with suspicious actors.

Next, we perform a quick, high-level review that determines whether the incident is a likely technical failure (lost private key, corrupted file), a phishing/credential compromise, or a fraudulent scheme. This triage also establishes whether there are high-value targets (e.g., large inbound deposits to exchanges) that require immediate outreach. We also advise on short-term risk-mitigation — for instance, moving any unaffected assets to cold storage and disabling linked services that might allow further unauthorized access. Importantly, we document chain-of-custody steps even during triage so the evidence we collect early is admissible later.

Step 2 — Evidence Preservation & Data Collection

After triage, we move into systematic data collection. Evidence preservation is more than saving a few files: it is an organized process that prevents accidental alteration or loss. We request that clients provide raw wallet files, seed phrases (if they choose to share them under secure conditions), transaction hashes, and any logs or emails that capture the event timeline. If the incident involves a hardware wallet, we advise on safe handling to avoid a factory reset or other irreversible changes.

On the technical side, we capture browser and application metadata (user agent strings, cookies timestamps), device details, network logs, and any cloud backups. We use accepted evidence-handling tools to create cryptographic hashes of files and documents to ensure integrity. For cases involving exchanges or custodial services, we gather correspondence, support ticket numbers, and any case references — all of which expedite formal requests later. Every piece of evidence is logged in an evidence register with timestamps, collector identity, and storage location to maintain forensic rigor.

Step 3 — Blockchain Forensics & Tracing

This stage is the technical backbone of any recovery attempt. Using a combination of commercial blockchain analytics suites, proprietary tooling, and manual analysis, we map the movement of funds across addresses and chains. The blockchain itself is a ledger; it provides an immutable transaction history that—if interpreted correctly—reveals the flow of value. However, criminals layer obfuscation — mixing services, chain-hopping, and privacy coins — to disrupt traceability. Our forensic process looks for identifiable transaction patterns, timings, and re-use of addresses that indicate a controlled set of wallets.

We apply heuristics to identify likely deposit addresses for exchanges, custodians, or on-ramps (e.g., payment processors). Chain-hopping events are analyzed for correlation: how funds were split, where tethering transactions appear, and whether small-value transactions were used to confirm exchange deposit addresses. We also create visual flowcharts and timeline graphs that show the exact movement of funds; these visualizations are useful both for technical teams and legal counsel.

As part of forensics, we evaluate whether the trail reaches privacy-enhancing technologies. If funds enter a renowned mixer or are swapped into Monero or similar privacy coins, we document the break points and estimate the residual traceability. This estimation informs feasibility: it’s not a judgment against the victim, but a realistic assessment of recovery likelihood and the strategies we will prioritize.

Step 4 — Address Clustering, Attribution & OSINT

Blockchain addresses do not inherently contain identities. Attribution requires combining on-chain clues with off-chain intelligence. Address clustering groups addresses that behave similarly or share transaction patterns, indicating they are controlled by a single actor. We apply clustering algorithms and heuristic rules (common-input heuristic, change address patterns, reuse behavior) followed by manual review to ensure accuracy.

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) is used to enrich on-chain data: public wallets associated with scams, pastebin leaks, forum posts, code repositories, and social media evidence can all reveal linkages. For instance, a scammer might publish a deposit address on a phishing site or in chat logs; historical snapshots (e.g., the Wayback Machine) can recover removed pages that tie addresses to email addresses or usernames. When addresses correspond to exchange deposit addresses, we note those exchange identifiers to prepare formal preservation requests.

Attribution is done conservatively: we clearly label evidence that indicates likelihood versus proof. This conservative approach reduces the risk of false accusations and strengthens legal and exchange requests because we only escalate with substantiated findings backed by multiple supporting data points.

Step 5 — Exchange & Service Provider Engagement

Exchanges and custodial services are often the most direct lever to recover funds. Once forensic analysis identifies exchange deposit points, we prepare a professional disclosure packet that includes transaction flows, timestamps, and specific deposit details. We then initiate formal requests through established channels — compliance, legal, or trust & safety teams — to request freezing of suspect funds and disclosure of KYC data where lawful.

Because exchanges receive a high volume of legitimate traffic, requests must be clear, technically precise, and legally grounded to be effective. Our forensic reports are structured to meet these expectations. Where required, we work with local counsel to submit proper legal requests and ensure that all outreach is compliant with the exchange’s jurisdictional policies. In many cases, exchanges respond positively when evidence is professional and when law enforcement involvement supports the request.

When dealing with decentralized services, peer-to-peer platforms, or mixers, we adapt our strategy — using a combination of reputational pressure, disclosure requests to ancillary services, and legal escalation where appropriate.

Step 6 — Legal Strategy, Law Enforcement & Cross-Border Coordination

Cryptocurrency investigations regularly cross jurisdictions. Effective recovery often requires coordinated legal action across multiple countries. Our team collaborates with experienced blockchain-savvy attorneys and law enforcement partners to escalate cases where necessary. We prepare court-ready affidavits, production-ready forensic exhibits, and tailored legal briefs that summarize technical findings in accessible legal language.

Law enforcement agencies differ in capacity and approach; we prioritize agencies that maintain crypto investigation units or have prior experience with similar cases. Where appropriate, we facilitate Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) or other international cooperation mechanisms. These processes can be slow, but when successful, they produce official legal orders that compel exchanges to disclose KYC records or to freeze funds on request.

We always advise clients about timelines and realistic expectations for legal actions; coordination with prosecutors and international agencies is powerful but often time-consuming. We provide ongoing support throughout to keep momentum and to prepare additional evidence or testimony if requested by investigators.

Step 7 — Technical Recovery Actions & Wallet Remediation

Not every case requires legal escalation. In some cases the appropriate technical approach can recover access or reclaim assets. Examples include wallet file repair, mnemonic seed reconstruction, password cracking on locally-stored encrypted keystore files (done ethically and with client consent), and firmware-level recovery operations for hardware wallets. These technical interventions are performed under strict security processes and documented thoroughly.

We use controlled, auditable environments for any brute-force or recovery attempts to avoid accidental data loss or exposure. Where password recovery is attempted, we apply prioritized, educated guesses and dictionary-based strategies tailored to the client’s known choices — not random guessing — and always with informed consent.

For funds that have been deposited to an exchange but not yet withdrawn, our coordinated outreach can result in the exchange isolating or freezing the assets until legal or settlement steps are completed. For scenarios where assets have been split into thousands of micro-transactions, we develop reclamation strategies that balance cost and benefit, focusing on the most practical path to return.

Step 8 — Negotiation, Settlement & Asset Return

When funds are held by identifiable intermediaries or custodians, negotiation may provide a faster path than litigation. This step is delicate: discussions must protect the victim’s position while avoiding undue exposure. We support negotiation by presenting incontrovertible forensic evidence and, where relevant, leveraging law enforcement engagement as a pressure point.

If a settlement is negotiated with a custodial party or an intermediary, we draft secure settlement terms that include mechanisms for asset transfer, timelines, verification steps, and indemnities. Where funds are returned, we guide clients through secure receipt protocols to reduce the chance of re-compromise (for example, using new, air-gapped wallets and multi-signature custody to accept returned funds).

Step 9 — Reporting, Expert Witness & Court-Ready Evidence

Whether or not recovery is achieved, rigorous reporting is a core deliverable. Our reports include an executive summary, a technical appendix with transaction graphs, chain-of-custody logs, and a recommended legal/operational roadmap. These materials are prepared to meet admissibility standards and to support civil or criminal claims.

When clients proceed to litigation, our forensic analysts can serve as expert witnesses, testifying to the provenance of transactions, the interpretation of clustering methodologies, and the integrity of the evidentiary process. We prepare sworn statements and rehearse testimony with legal counsel so the technical material is presented clearly and credibly in court.

Step 10 — Post-Recovery Support, Security Hardening & Monitoring

Recovery is not the end of our relationship — it’s the beginning of improved resilience. We provide post-recovery consultation to secure remaining assets, implement multi-signature or institutional custody for large balances, and advise on best practices for key management. Training is available for individuals and corporate teams to reduce the risk of future compromise.

In addition, we can set up ongoing monitoring for previously implicated addresses and related clusters. Continuous monitoring allows early detection if assets begin to move again and provides time to take preemptive action. For corporate clients, we also help design incident response plans and playbooks to streamline future action if an event occurs.

Practical expectations & timelines

Timelines vary dramatically. A simple wallet recovery or a case where assets have not left an identifiable exchange may conclude within 1–3 weeks. Complex cross-border investigations that require formal legal orders, MLATs, or cooperation across multiple exchanges can take many months. We maintain transparent milestone reporting so you always know the status of your case, the work performed, and the realistic expected next steps.

We never promise guaranteed results; we promise professional effort, documented evidence, and strategic escalation. Where we assess the chance of recovery to be low, we are upfront and provide a clear rationale together with alternative options (e.g., insurance claims, civil action).

Why our process is effective

The effectiveness of our approach is the product of technical depth, legal experience, and operational discipline. We combine industry-grade tooling with proven evidence practices and established relationships with exchanges and enforcement partners. Our teams include forensic analysts, former compliance professionals, and legal counsel with international experience — enabling coordinated action that many individual victims cannot accomplish on their own.

Furthermore, we prioritize ethical standards, data privacy, and client communication. We keep you involved as a partner, provide regular updates, and explain technical findings in plain language so you can make informed decisions throughout.

Next steps & how to engage

If you would like to proceed, the immediate next step is an initial consultation. We will triage your case, advise short-term protective measures, and provide a written feasibility assessment with recommended next actions and pricing options. Many clients appreciate having both contingency and flat-fee options available; our engagement agreements are written to be clear, limited to scope, and respectful of client confidentiality.

If you’re ready, click the button below to contact our team with case details. If you prefer, you can first review our FAQ or request a brief email checklist to begin preserving evidence right away.