Consumer & Compensation Law · European Union

Recover What You Lost to an Investment Fraud With the Right Lawyer

Sophisticated fraud schemes are designed to look legitimate — fake trading platforms, cloned broker websites, and ‘too good to be true’ returns that vanish once your money is transferred. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who investigates investment fraud and pursues recovery options across Europe every day.

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14
Legal practice categories
155+
Specialised legal services
24–48h
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Who this is for

If you lost money to a scheme that seemed professional and legitimate, you are not alone

Investment fraud happens when someone persuades you to hand over money for an investment that is misrepresented, never materialises, or is simply never invested at all. Fraudsters typically operate through convincing websites, polished sales scripts and forged documents, targeting ordinary savers and experienced investors alike. Common forms include unauthorised firms offering high-return bonds, Ponzi and pyramid schemes, boiler-room share sales, cloned versions of regulated brokers, and fraudulent pension or property investment funds. Because these schemes often span several countries and move money through multiple accounts, recovering your losses usually requires tracing transactions, identifying the people behind the fraud, and engaging with banks, regulators and law enforcement. A specialist lawyer can assess what actually happened, identify viable recovery routes and guide you through them.


Why victims get stuck

Investment fraud is engineered to make recovery feel impossible.
It is not — but it takes the right approach.

Fraudsters structure schemes to look legitimate and then disappear, leaving victims unsure where their money went or who to hold responsible.

01

The fraudster has disappeared

When a trading platform goes offline or a ‘broker’ stops answering, victims are left without a clear target. Tracing who actually received the money across accounts and borders is often the first, hardest step.

02

Banks say the transfer was authorised

Victims frequently hear that nothing can be done because they approved the payment themselves. In reality, banks have duties in many jurisdictions to detect and prevent fraud — and a lawyer can test whether those duties were met.

03

The scheme looked completely legitimate

Cloned websites, fake regulatory licences and professional-looking paperwork make it hard to prove you were deceived. Gathering and preserving the right evidence early is critical before records and accounts are deleted.


What you get

A lawyer who actually investigates your investment fraud case

We only match you with lawyers who handle investment fraud and financial mis-selling claims regularly.

Forensic case assessment

Your lawyer reviews how you were approached, what you were promised and where your money went, then tells you honestly which recovery routes — civil claim, regulatory complaint or criminal report — are realistic in your case.

Asset tracing & evidence

A specialist works to trace your transferred funds, preserve transaction records and correspondence, and build the factual picture needed to establish that you were deceived.

Bank & regulator engagement

Your lawyer knows how to press banks, payment providers and financial regulators about their own obligations to detect fraud, and can escalate when a complaint is wrongly dismissed.

Coordinated cross-border action

Because schemes often span several countries, the right lawyer coordinates tracing, complaints and legal action across jurisdictions rather than chasing a single, futile dead-end route.


Coverage

Investment fraud lawyers across Europe

Fraud and financial-services rules are set nationally, so the right lawyer is one who knows your country’s regulators and courts — and can coordinate action across borders where the scheme did. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:

SpainPortugalGermanyFranceItalyNetherlandsBelgiumIrelandAustriaPolandGreeceSweden+ more EU / EEA countries

Frequently asked

Investment fraud — common questions

Can I really recover money lost to investment fraud?

Recovery is possible in many cases, but not guaranteed. It typically depends on whether the fraudsters or the assets can be traced, and whether a bank or intermediary failed in its own duties. A lawyer can assess your specific situation and tell you honestly which routes are worth pursuing.

I authorised the transfer myself — does that mean it’s my fault?

Not necessarily. Fraud by definition involves deception, and in many jurisdictions banks and payment firms have legal duties to detect and block suspicious transactions. A lawyer can review whether those duties were met in your case.

How long do I have to make a claim?

Time limits vary by country and by the type of claim, and they can be short. It is important to seek advice promptly after you realise something is wrong, because once a limitation period expires your options can be lost.

What should I do first if I suspect I’ve been defrauded?

Stop sending money, preserve every email, message, screenshot and account statement you can, and report the matter to your bank and the relevant financial regulator or police. Gathering evidence early is critical, and a lawyer can guide you on the right reports to file.

The platform was ‘regulated’ — how was I still scammed?

Fraudsters often clone the names and licence numbers of genuine regulated firms, or claim registration that does not exist. Checking a firm against the official national regulator’s register is essential, but even careful investors are deceived by convincing forgeries.

Will reporting the fraud help me get my money back?

Reporting is usually an important step, but it rarely recovers money on its own. A lawyer can combine a formal report with civil recovery action, bank complaints and regulatory escalation to give you the strongest overall chance.


Free case review

Start the recovery process before the trail goes cold

Tell us what happened and we’ll connect you with a lawyer who investigates investment fraud and pursues recovery across Europe — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.