FIGURES
- US$1.4 billion: Lost to recovery scams reported to the FBI in 2025, across 10,516 complaints; the FBI notes the total may include the earlier scam. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internet Crime Report 2025, Apr 2026, https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2025_IC3Report.pdf
- US$389 million: Lost through cryptocurrency kiosks in 2025, across 13,460 complaints, with losses up 58%. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internet Crime Report 2025, Apr 2026, https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2025_IC3Report.pdf
- FTC: Don't trust anyone who contacts you claiming they can recover your lost money for a fee. Source: Federal Trade Commission, consumer alert, 3 Aug 2026, https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/08/have-you-lost-money-scam-watch-scammers-who-say-they-can-help

DEMAND SIGNALS (vidIQ, 25 October 2026)
- "Recover lost crypto" draws about 6,300 searches a month with low competition (24), and "crypto recovery service" about 4,900 (vidIQ).
- These searches come from people who have already lost money, so a clear warning reaches them at the moment of most risk.