What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed Online in Canada – A Step-by-Step Guide
Falling victim to an online scam can be devastating — emotionally and financially. Whether it was a fake crypto investment, a romance scam, or identity theft, the important thing to remember is: you’re not alone, and there are steps you can take.
Thousands of Canadians report online fraud each year. Knowing how to act quickly and strategically can make all the difference in minimizing the damage — and possibly recovering lost funds.
Step 1: Stop the Damage
If the scam is still active, your first priority should be to secure your digital footprint:
- Change passwords on all affected accounts — especially email, banking, and crypto wallets.
- Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately to freeze or reverse suspicious charges.
- Do not send any more money, even if the scammers promise refunds, taxes, or “unfreezing” your funds.
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
Documentation is key. Collect everything:
- Screenshots of chats, websites, dashboards, and transaction history
- Emails, Telegram or WhatsApp messages
- Wallet addresses or bank transfer confirmations
- Receipts, contracts, or wire instructions
Save copies both locally and in the cloud to ensure you have backups.
Step 3: Report the Fraud in Canada
Even if it seems like a dead end, it's important to report the incident:
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
Website: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
Phone: 1-888-495-8501
You can also file a report with your local police station or the RCMP.
However, it’s important to understand that while these reports are logged, they don’t usually result in fund recovery — especially with cross-border or crypto-related scams.
Step 4: Explore Professional Recovery Support
If you've lost money via wire transfer, crypto, or online payment apps, professional cyber investigation firms may be able to help.
At OnlineJustice.com, we help victims across Canada:
- Trace stolen funds on the blockchain
- Identify payment processors or financial institutions involved
- Send legal notices and complaints to compliant parties
- Build full evidence packages to support recovery
We work with lawyers, financial experts, and international compliance teams — so you don’t have to navigate this alone.
Take the First Step Towards Recovery
If you've been scammed — or even suspect something’s wrong — we encourage you to take action now.
Online Justice offers confidential consultations and real support for Canadian fraud victims.
Your story doesn’t have to end in loss. Let’s find out what’s possible.