Shi Zha Tong visual guides 19 / Limiting loss and staying safe

Recovery promises can lead to a second scam

Anxiety after a scam can be exploited as a supposed refund service.

Anxiety after a scam can be exploited as a supposed refund service.
Conceptual illustration, not real people, a crime scene or investigative evidence.
  1. 1

    Seeking help

    You share your experience or receive an unsolicited message.

  2. 2

    Guaranteed recovery

    Someone claims to be a hacker, recovery agent or legal expert.

  3. 3

    Upfront fees

    They demand a deposit, tax or access permissions.

  4. 4

    Further losses

    Fees grow but the money remains unrecovered.

Warning signs

Guaranteed recovery combined with upfront payment is a warning sign requiring verification.

Protective action

Ask your bank, police and 165 for help. Do not give access permissions to strangers.

Open sources and scope

Based on official advice and cases. The four stages are simplified for teaching; roles and order differ between cases and do not establish wrongdoing by any particular person or service.

First Special Police Corps: common scam tactics and prevention (new tab)

Survey and livestream scenarios include risk analysis. Citations do not mean official approval of every statement. Edited: 1 October 2026.