Cryptocurrencies have rapidly become a significant component of private and corporate wealth structures. Simultaneously, the number of professionally organized fraud cases is increasing. These often involve not just isolated acts of deception, but complex schemes comprising fake trading platforms, social engineering, bogus support, and international payment processing. In practice, the effectiveness of investigative authorities and the likelihood of success in civil proceedings depend less on mere suspicion of fraud and more on the quality of the evidence.
Blockchain transactions appear anonymous to the outside world, but are technically traceable. This is precisely where a key difference lies. While traditional banking cases often rely on bank statements and recipient data, crypto fraud requires structured evidence gathering that effectively combines technical data, communication records, and legal classification. Securing evidence early and consistently significantly improves one's position in criminal proceedings and when seeking to recover funds.
RU Law supports clients in cases of crypto fraud by prioritizing and preparing relevant evidence so that criminal charges and claims can be filed on a sound basis.
Blockchain evidence as primary evidence
At its core, the blockchain itself is the most important piece of evidence. Every transaction is permanently recorded. For later analysis, transaction IDs, wallet addresses, timestamps, and token type are particularly relevant. In many cases, this basic data alone can reveal which assets were transferred and where they went. It is crucial not to just view this information briefly in a blockchain explorer, but to document it transparently, for example, through backed-up files, PDF extracts, or structured reports.
Furthermore, verifying the plausibility of the attribution is practically crucial. Law enforcement agencies and courts must be able to verify that the wallet used is indeed assigned to the individual in question or that the payment originated from a specific exchange or wallet environment. Documents from the exchange account, confirmations of deposits and withdrawals, and documentation of one's own wallet management are helpful in this regard.
Another key element is verification via hash values. The hash is the technical signature of a transaction and proves that this exact process took place in this form on the blockchain. Such proof significantly increases the evidentiary value, especially if platform access is later blocked or perpetrators delete content.
Forensic analysis and tracing as structured evidence gathering
Many fraud cases don't end with a single transaction. Often, funds are routed through numerous intermediaries, moved via bridges, or distributed using obfuscation services. In such situations, individual screenshots are insufficient. A forensic analysis can trace the transaction chain and visualize it in a report. This transforms a confusing sequence of individual wallet movements into a structured case file that can be used in investigations and civil proceedings.
Tracing reports can reveal, among other things, the stages through which assets flowed, whether clusters are identifiable, whether addresses belong to exchanges or service providers, and where potential exit points are located. These exit points are often crucial because they are where crypto assets are exchanged for euros or processed via regulated interfaces.
However, technology alone is not enough. The forensic analysis must be legally assessed. Who could be held liable? Are platform operators accountable? What role do payment service providers, banks, or stock exchanges play? What legal grounds for claims are realistic, and what procedural steps are advisable?.
Information requests as a bridge from pseudonymity to identity
Blockchain addresses are initially pseudonymous. A key step towards personalization can therefore be achieved through requests for information from service providers that process KYC data. Many cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms store identity documents, contact details, deposit and withdrawal information, and in certain cases, technical logs. This data can help to assign wallet addresses to specific accounts or link transaction paths to real people.
In practice, requests for information are often key to developing a reliable attribution of perpetrators from a purely technical description. At the same time, the question of whether internal anti-money laundering checks or documentation obligations have been properly implemented may also become relevant. Such information is not always available, but can play a role depending on the circumstances, especially when claims against third parties can be examined.
Device analysis and digital traces of the perpetrators
Besides blockchain data, end devices are often an important source of evidence. Many cases involve remote access, manipulated apps, fake support contacts, or phishing sites. Traces proving the attack can be found on smartphones and computers, such as evidence of remote access software, suspicious browser extensions, logs of unauthorized access, or malware artifacts.
In criminal proceedings, this can significantly strengthen the account of events. It can also be relevant in civil cases when questions of liability and breach of duty by third parties arise. Crucially, such devices should not be reset prematurely or data deleted if an analysis could be useful.
Security measures and the time factor in criminal proceedings
If compelling evidence exists, investigating authorities can consider securing measures, such as seizing data storage devices or ordering asset protection measures. With cryptocurrencies, the time factor is particularly critical because assets can be transferred or concealed within a short period. A well-prepared criminal complaint with clear transaction data and a comprehensible structure increases the chances that authorities will take concrete action.
Supplementary documents to round out the facts
In addition to technical evidence, traditional documents remain important. These include chat logs, email communication, screenshots of dashboards, advertisements, contract details, promises of payment, and any indications of fee demands. Bank documents can also be relevant, for example, if cryptocurrency purchases were made through bank accounts or if loans were taken out to finance the alleged investment. Such documents help to transparently document the process, the deceptive actions, and the manipulation.
Civil law recovery and logic of claims
Based on substantiated evidence, the question arises as to which civil law avenues are realistic. Depending on the specific circumstances, claims based on unjust enrichment, tort claims, and breaches of contractual or pre-contractual obligations may be considered. The strategy often hinges on whether perpetrators can be identified, whether tangible assets still exist, and whether third parties can be included in a chain of liability.
Here too, a technical description alone is insufficient. A legally sound statement of claim is required for a refund, one that consistently combines the facts, evidence, and the defendant.
If you want to assess which evidence should be prioritized in your case and what steps can be derived from it, an early review can be beneficial. RU Law specializes in crypto fraud and provides support in the structured analysis of the facts and the enforcement of potential claims.
Conclusion
In cases of cryptocurrency fraud, the evidence presented determines the chances of success. Those who consistently secure and legally classify transaction data, tracing analyses, communication records, and technical traces significantly improve their position in criminal proceedings and recovery claims. Not every loss can be fully compensated. Nevertheless, in many cases, more is possible than victims initially assume, provided the facts are thoroughly documented and strategically prepared.
