The short answer
To report crypto fraud in Austria, contact your local police department. Prepare a detailed, chronological report of the fraud, including all transaction hashes (IDs), communication logs, and financial records. The police coordinate investigations into online property crimes. Ensure you preserve original evidence such as chat logs and payment receipts, as these are crucial for law enforcement to investigate the case effectively.
When you believe you have been a victim of crypto fraud, reporting the incident is an essential step toward justice. In Austria, the Sub-Department for Fraud, Forgery, and Economic Crime is responsible for investigating these offenses.
Filing a formal police report helps authorities build a picture of criminal activity. It is important to approach this process systematically by gathering all necessary evidence and documenting the incident as clearly as possible.
01Understanding the Investigative Role of Police
The Austrian Federal Criminal Police Office addresses various forms of crime, including online fraud where offenders use deception to achieve unlawful enrichment.
When you file a report, you provide the authorities with the necessary information to track illegal activity. This can lead to broader interventions, such as international coordination to solve complex fraud cases.
- Police investigate property crimes involving false representations
- Reports help identify patterns and coordinate measures
- Investigations can reach across international borders
- Your report provides the necessary basis for an investigation
- Official records are kept for ongoing cybercrime monitoring
Source for this section[1] Austria Federal Criminal Police: fraud
02What Evidence to Collect
Before visiting the police station, compile all relevant data into a single, organized file. This should include dates, times, amounts, and any wallet addresses involved in the fraud.
Keep the original communication logs—emails, chat messages, or screenshots from WhatsApp/Telegram—as these are the most direct evidence of the fraud mechanism.
- Copy of all communication with the scammers
- Transaction IDs (hashes) from the blockchain
- Records of all fiat transfers to the fraudster
- Names, pseudonyms, and profiles used by the scammers
- Any documents or websites provided by the entity
Sources for this section[1] Austria Federal Criminal Police: fraud[2] Austrian FMA: investment fraud in chat groups[3] Austrian FMA: complaints and consumer enquiries
03Structuring Your Report
A clear, chronological account is significantly more helpful than a disjointed set of notes. Start from your first contact with the scammers and detail every subsequent interaction, especially those involving financial transactions.
If you are submitting information to the FMA as part of a general consumer enquiry, ensure you distinguish this from your police report. The police handle the criminal investigation, while the FMA provides supervisory and prevention guidance.
- Begin with a clear timeline of events
- State the total financial loss clearly in the original currency
- Avoid speculation and stick to facts documented in your logs
- Include your contact details and all evidence references
- Ensure the report is legible and well-organized
Sources for this section[1] Austria Federal Criminal Police: fraud[3] Austrian FMA: complaints and consumer enquiries
04Preserving Your Evidence
Digital evidence is easily lost if you are not careful. Backup all chat logs and screenshots to multiple secure locations before presenting them to the authorities. Do not edit or modify these files, as they should be presented in their original state.
If you used specific platforms or wallet software, document the exact names and versions, as this may help investigators understand the method used to commit the fraud.
- Create multiple backups of your digital records
- Avoid altering the metadata of your screenshots
- Use clear, printable formats for documentation
- Keep a hard copy of the final police report you receive
- Ensure the authenticity of all submitted documents
Sources for this section[1] Austria Federal Criminal Police: fraud[4] Ethereum: wallet custody and recovery
05Cooperating with Investigators
If the police request further information or clarification, respond as promptly and accurately as possible. The investigative process can be lengthy, and providing high-quality information is the best way to support the process.
Always follow the instructions provided by the officers assigned to your case, as they have the expertise to determine the best course of action.
- Maintain regular contact with your assigned officer
- Provide additional data promptly if requested
- Keep the original report accessible for all follow-up meetings
- Ask for guidance on whether you should contact the FMA
- Keep a record of all interactions with the police station
Source for this section[1] Austria Federal Criminal Police: fraud
Checklist
- Create a chronological timeline of the entire incident.
- Save all chat logs and screenshots as originals.
- Copy all transaction hashes from your wallet history.
- List all transfers and payment receipts.
- Compile all information into a single, organized document.
- Visit your local police department to file the report.
- Request a stamped copy of your formal police report.
Questions people ask
Do I report the crime to the FMA or the police?
Criminal fraud must be reported to the police. The FMA is the financial regulator and uses reports to track unauthorized providers and issue consumer warnings, but they do not lead criminal prosecutions.
Can I report the fraud online?
In Austria, you should generally visit the police department in person for a formal report. Check the official Bundeskriminalamt website for current reporting protocols in your specific area.
Why do I need to keep the original chat logs?
The logs are the primary evidence of the fraud. Investigators need the full, unmodified history of the communication to understand the techniques used by the criminals and to build an effective case.
Safety boundaries
- No legitimate helper needs your seed phrase, private key, password, one-time code, remote access to your device or a wallet connection.
- Nobody can promise that funds will be recovered. Treat any guarantee, or any fee demanded to release funds, with suspicion.
- Find official contact details yourself, through the regulator, bank or platform website, not through a message or advert you received.
- This guide is general education. It is not legal, financial or tax advice and does not assess your situation.
If you want to organise your facts, the initial claim outline on our homepage collects only a short summary and contact details. It creates no client relationship and promises no outcome. Do not send documents or credentials.
Official sources
- [1]Austria Federal Criminal Police: fraud
Checked 4 October 2026 - [2]Austrian FMA: investment fraud in chat groups
Checked 4 October 2026 - [3]Austrian FMA: complaints and consumer enquiries
Checked 4 October 2026 - [4]Ethereum: wallet custody and recovery
Checked 4 October 2026
AI-assisted educational content published by Central Crypto Claim using the official sources listed below. No independent expert review is claimed. This is not legal, financial or tax advice.