Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about cryptocurrency recovery, our process, and what to expect when working with Sophos Recovery.
General Questions
Is it really possible to recover stolen cryptocurrency?
Yes, in many cases it is possible to recover stolen cryptocurrency, though success depends on various factors including how quickly you act, the method of theft, where the funds were transferred, and whether they passed through regulated exchanges. While not all cases are recoverable, our success rate of approximately 73% is significantly higher than industry averages.
How long does the recovery process take?
The timeline varies greatly depending on case complexity. Simple cases may be resolved in 30-45 days, while complex cases involving multiple jurisdictions or sophisticated laundering techniques can take 3-6 months. Our average recovery timeframe is 67 days from case acceptance to fund return.
What types of cryptocurrency theft can you help with?
We handle a wide range of cryptocurrency theft cases including investment scams, exchange hacks, phishing attacks, wallet compromise, romance scams, business email compromise, ransomware payments, and DeFi protocol exploits. Each type requires different recovery approaches, which is why our team includes specialists across various recovery methods.
What information do you need to start a case?
The most critical information includes transaction IDs (TXIDs) of the stolen funds, wallet addresses involved, dates and approximate times, the cryptocurrency type and amount, and details about how the theft occurred. Additional helpful information includes any communication with scammers, screenshots, and documentation from exchanges or platforms involved in the incident.
Do you work with law enforcement?
Yes, when appropriate, we coordinate with relevant law enforcement agencies. However, our approach often supplements official investigations, as we can move more quickly in tracing and freezing assets. We maintain relationships with law enforcement units specializing in cryptocurrency crime in multiple jurisdictions.
Our Process
What are your fees and how do they work?
We operate on a contingency fee model—we only charge if we successfully recover your funds. Our fee is a percentage of the recovered amount, typically ranging from 20-30% depending on case complexity and the amount involved. The exact percentage is agreed upon before we begin work, and there are no upfront costs or hidden fees.
What percentage of funds can I expect to recover?
In successful cases, we typically recover between 65-90% of the stolen amount. The recovery percentage depends on several factors, including how quickly you engaged our services after the theft, whether the thieves attempted to launder the funds, and which exchanges the funds passed through. In some cases, we achieve complete recovery.
Can you help if the scam occurred months ago?
Yes, though recovery becomes more challenging as time passes because criminals have more opportunity to launder the funds. We've successfully handled cases that were several months old, but the best results typically come from cases where we're engaged within days or weeks of the incident.
Is my information kept confidential?
Absolutely. We maintain strict confidentiality for all client information. Our security protocols include encrypted communications, secure data storage, and confidentiality agreements with all team members. We understand the sensitive nature of cryptocurrency theft and treat your information with the highest level of privacy.
Do I need technical knowledge to work with you?
No technical knowledge is required. Our team will guide you through the entire process and explain everything in clear, accessible terms. We'll help you locate the necessary transaction information and handle all technical aspects of the recovery.
Technical Questions
How do you track stolen cryptocurrency?
We use a combination of proprietary blockchain analytics tools, forensic techniques, and partnerships with exchanges to trace the movement of stolen funds. Our analysts track transactions across the blockchain, identifying patterns and destination addresses. We then leverage legal mechanisms and our exchange relationships to freeze and recover assets when they reach regulated platforms.
Can you recover funds sent to mixing services?
Recovery from mixing services is challenging but not always impossible. The effectiveness of mixers varies, and our advanced tracing techniques can sometimes follow funds through certain mixing services. Success depends on the specific mixer used, how recently the theft occurred, and whether the funds eventually moved to regulated exchanges.
What cryptocurrencies can you help recover?
We can assist with recovery of most major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USD Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), BNB, XRP, Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), and many others. We also work with recovery cases involving NFTs and tokens on various blockchains including Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and Avalanche.
Is recovery still possible if funds were converted to another cryptocurrency?
Yes, we can often track funds that have been converted between cryptocurrencies. While this adds complexity to the case, our blockchain forensics experts are skilled at following these conversion trails, especially when they occur on centralized exchanges where we maintain relationships.
How do you actually get the money back?
The recovery process typically involves identifying where the stolen funds currently reside (usually an exchange or service), providing evidence of the theft, and using legal measures to freeze and return the assets. We leverage existing legal frameworks, our exchange partnerships, and sometimes law enforcement cooperation to secure the release of funds to their rightful owner. Still Have Questions?