Episode Description

Discover the reality behind online scam recovery and learn what actually works when you've been defrauded. This episode explores third-party liability in fraud cases, why banks should do more to protect victims, and actionable steps you can take to recover your stolen money.

Key Topics Covered:

• Third-Party Liability in Fraud Cases - How larger institutions are finally recognizing their role in preventing and addressing online scams
• "Pig Butchering" Scams Explained - Understanding these sophisticated investment frauds that lure victims into sending cryptocurrency and digital investments over weeks or months
• The Escalation Pattern - How scammers use progressive incentives to extract tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars from victims
• Bank Responsibility and Detection Failures - Why financial institutions that flag unusual Walmart purchases often miss massive fraudulent transfers
• Recovery Challenges - The difficulty of identifying perpetrators and the extensive investigation required for money recovery
• Reporting Options - How to file complaints with IC3 and when private investigations become necessary
• Documentation Strategy - Essential steps for gathering evidence of fraud and identifying all parties involved
• Third-Party Accountability - Examining liability of transfer banks, Zelle, PayPal, and other financial service providers
• Wire Transfer Red Flags - Why banks should intervene when customers make unusual large transfers but often don't
• Investigation Best Practices - How to build a comprehensive case that includes all involved institutions and transfer methods

Action Steps for Fraud Victims:

• Report incidents to appropriate authorities
• Document all transactions and communications
• Investigate potential third-party liability
• Obtain comprehensive fraud victim resources
• Consider professional assistance for complex cases

For more information on determining third-party liability and accessing free fraud victim resources, visit the links provided in the episode.