Elena Volkov
VerifiedRomance & Investment Fraud Counselor
Former NCA analyst now supporting victims of pig-butchering and long-con relationship fraud. Co-leads a 4,000-member victim support group.
Recent answers
How do I tell if a crypto recovery service is legitimate or a scam?
After my loss I started getting DMs from 'recovery hackers' on Telegram. Every one of them sounds suspicious. What are the red flags?
What is a pig butchering scam and how do I know if I'm in one?
I met someone on WhatsApp who introduced me to a trading platform. The returns look amazing. Friends are saying it's a pig butchering scam — what does that mean?
I got scammed by a Telegram investment group — what now?
I joined a 'signals' group, they had a 'manager' guide me, and I deposited $14,000 into their platform. Now I can't withdraw and they ask for more.
Tinder match asked me to invest in crypto — is this a scam?
I've been talking to someone on Tinder for 3 weeks. They moved us to WhatsApp and started mentioning their crypto trading. What should I do?
I got scammed by an 'online girlfriend' into sending Bitcoin — can I recover anything?
Over four months I sent about $42,000 in Bitcoin to someone I thought I was in a relationship with. Now they're gone. I'm devastated.
How do I spot a romance scammer online before getting hurt?
After my friend lost money, I want to be sure I never fall for this. What are the patterns?
I was scammed by someone I met on a dating app — should I tell my family?
I'm too embarrassed to tell anyone. But I lost a meaningful amount of money. Is it worth opening up?
Is a long-distance relationship asking for money always a scam?
I'm in a long-distance relationship that started online. They've never asked for money but mention crypto trading often.
What are the biggest red flags of a crypto scam?
What's a short list of universal warning signs?