You sent money to someone online—and now they’ve vanished with your cash. Online scams are devastatingly common, from fake sellers to romance fraud to phishing schemes. While you can legally sue a scammer, actually recovering your money is extremely difficult when you don’t know who they are or where they live.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can sue someone who scammed you online for fraud. The challenge is finding the scammer and actually collecting any judgment. Most online scammers use fake identities and operate from foreign countries, making lawsuits impractical. Your best options are usually reporting the fraud, disputing charges with your bank or payment service, and preventing future losses. For large amounts or identifiable scammers, legal action may be worthwhile.
Legal Claims Against Scammers
Fraud
To sue for fraud, you generally must prove:
- The scammer made a false statement
- They knew it was false
- They intended you to rely on it
- You did rely on it
- You suffered damages as a result
Conversion
Taking your property (money) without authorization.
Breach of Contract
If you had an agreement (even informal) and they didn’t deliver.
Consumer Protection Violations
Many states have laws against unfair and deceptive practices.
The Reality of Suing Online Scammers
Challenge #1: Identifying the Scammer
Most scammers use:
- Fake names and identities
- Anonymous email accounts
- VPNs and proxy servers
- Stolen photos and profiles
- Temporary phone numbers
Challenge #2: Location and Jurisdiction
Many scammers operate from:
- Foreign countries with no extradition
- Places where US court judgments are unenforceable
- Unknown locations entirely
Challenge #3: Collection
Even if you win a judgment:
- Finding assets to seize is difficult
- Foreign assets are nearly impossible to reach
- Scammers typically have no recoverable assets
When Suing May Be Worthwhile
You Know the Scammer’s Real Identity
If you can identify them—perhaps they’re local, or left traceable information—a lawsuit is more viable.
They Have Assets
If the scammer has identifiable assets (property, bank accounts, business), collection is possible.
They’re US-Based
Domestic scammers are subject to US courts and collection procedures.
Large Amounts Involved
If you lost tens of thousands or more, the cost of investigation and litigation may be justified.
Small Claims Court Option
For smaller amounts, small claims court is inexpensive—but you still need to identify and locate the defendant.
More Practical Steps to Take
1. Report the Fraud
| Agency | What They Handle |
|---|---|
| FTC | All types of consumer fraud (reportfraud.ftc.gov) |
| IC3 | FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) |
| State AG | Your state’s attorney general consumer protection division |
| Local police | File a police report—needed for some disputes |
| Platform | Report to whatever platform was used (Facebook, eBay, etc.) |
2. Dispute Charges and Seek Refunds
| Payment Method | Recovery Option |
|---|---|
| Credit card | Dispute the charge (strongest protection—often get full refund) |
| Debit card | Dispute through bank (less protection than credit card) |
| PayPal | File dispute/claim through PayPal |
| Wire transfer | Contact bank immediately (difficult to reverse) |
| Cryptocurrency | Generally unrecoverable |
| Gift cards | Contact gift card company (often unrecoverable) |
| Zelle/Venmo | Contact the service and your bank (limited protection) |
3. Protect Yourself from Further Loss
- Change passwords if you shared any login information
- Monitor bank accounts and credit reports
- Place fraud alerts on your credit
- Don’t engage further with the scammer (they may try again)
Common Types of Online Scams
Marketplace/Buyer Scams
Fake sellers on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist who take payment and never ship.
Romance Scams
Fake romantic interests who build relationships, then ask for money.
Phishing
Fake emails/websites that steal login credentials or payment information.
Tech Support Scams
Fake warnings about computer problems, then charges for “fixing” them.
Investment Scams
Fraudulent crypto investments, “guaranteed returns,” Ponzi schemes.
Job Scams
Fake job offers that ask for money upfront or steal personal information.
Beware of Recovery Scams
After being scammed, you may be targeted again by “recovery” scammers who claim they can get your money back for an upfront fee. This is almost always another scam:
- Legitimate attorneys don’t charge large upfront fees
- No one has “special access” to recover crypto or wire transfers
- Government agencies don’t charge fees to recover funds
- If it sounds too good to be true, it is
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any way to find out who scammed me?
It’s difficult but sometimes possible:
- Reverse image searches may reveal stolen photos
- Email headers can sometimes show origin
- Payment services may have limited information
- Private investigators can sometimes trace scammers (for a fee)
- Law enforcement may investigate larger scams
Should I hire a lawyer?
For most small online scams, attorney fees would exceed any possible recovery. Consider legal help if:
- You lost a significant amount
- You know the scammer’s identity
- The scammer is US-based
- There’s evidence of recoverable assets
Will the police investigate?
Local police typically lack resources for online fraud, especially international scams. File a report anyway—it creates a record and may help pattern investigations. The FBI and FTC investigate larger scam operations.
Can I sue the platform where I was scammed?
Usually not. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act provides broad immunity to platforms for user content. However, if the platform itself participated in fraud or violated specific laws, there may be exceptions.
What if I gave the scammer my personal information?
You’re now at risk for identity theft:
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze
- Monitor your credit reports
- Watch for unauthorized accounts
- Consider identity theft protection services
- Report to identitytheft.gov
When Legal Action Makes Sense
Consider pursuing legal action if:
- You lost a substantial amount of money
- You can identify the scammer and their location
- The scammer is in the US
- There’s evidence of assets to collect
- Multiple victims exist (potential class action)
- You have documentation of the fraud
For most online scams, reporting to authorities and disputing charges through financial institutions are more practical than lawsuits. But if you have a viable case, consult a consumer protection attorney who can assess your options.
