If you’ve already lost money to a scam, you could be targeted again. Here’s how to protect yourself and get real legal help.
Being scammed can leave you feeling angry, vulnerable and unsure of whom to trust. For many people, the worst part is knowing the money is gone and feeling helpless to get it back.
Sadly, that’s exactly what fraudsters rely on.
Recovery scams are one of the most heartless forms of fraud. They target people who have already lost money, using that loss to manipulate them into parting with even more. If someone contacts you claiming they can help recover your money — especially if they ask for an upfront fee — it could be a fake refund company or a scammer impersonating a trusted firm like CEL Solicitors.
In this article, we’ll explain what recovery scams are, how they work, and how to spot the warning signs. We’ll also show you how CEL Solicitors is different, and why thousands of people trust us to help recover what’s rightfully theirs.
What is a Recovery Scam?
A recovery scam is a second scam that targets people who have already been defrauded. The scammers pretend to be from a legitimate law firm, refund company or even the police. They say they can help recover your lost money — but ask for payment up front, often claiming it’s needed to unlock funds, pay taxes, or “verify” your account.
Scammers can seem convincing because they already have information about your original fraud. They might mention:
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The company or platform you were scammed by
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The amount you lost
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Your name, phone number or email address
Sometimes, it’s the same fraudsters coming back. Other times, your details may have been sold on what’s known as a “sucker list” — a database of previous scam victims. Either way, the aim is the same: to take more money when you’re at your most vulnerable.
In some recent examples, scammers have even:
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Claimed your funds are “being held in a secure wallet” ready for recovery
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Pretended to be real CEL Solicitors staff members
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Invented fake case numbers and email addresses
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Sent cold emails saying “your claim is ready” and directing you to WhatsApp for updates
How Do Recovery Scams Work?
Recovery scams often follow a familiar pattern. Here’s how they typically unfold:
1. Initial contact
You receive a phone call, email or WhatsApp message from someone claiming to represent a refund company, law firm or the police. They might say your case has progressed or that money is “waiting” to be released.
2. Building trust
They refer to details of your original scam — often things you haven’t shared publicly. They might name the platform, quote a specific loss amount, or use official-sounding titles like “Fraud Recovery Specialist”.
3. The promise of help
You’re told that your funds have been located and are being held in a secure account or digital wallet. The scammer might say all you need to do is complete one final step.
4. An upfront payment
Before the money can be “released”, you’re asked to pay a fee — often described as a refundable deposit, tax, escrow charge or compliance fee. In one example, a scammer requested over $1,600 to release funds supposedly held in an escrow account.
5. Silence, or more demands
After the payment, the scammer may vanish. In other cases, they ask for more money, claiming new legal requirements or banking delays.
It’s a cruel cycle that plays on hope, and it can leave victims feeling worse than before.
How to Spot a Fake Refund Company
Spotting a recovery scam isn’t always easy, especially when you’re desperate for answers. But there are clear warning signs that can help you protect yourself:
They ask for money up front
A genuine solicitor won’t charge you before doing any work. CEL Solicitors operates on a no-win, no-fee basis — so if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay us a penny.
They contact you out of the blue
If someone calls, emails or messages you about a scam you haven’t spoken to them about, be cautious, especially if they mention specific amounts or case details. All CEL clients come to us first — we never cold-call or cold-message anyone.
They use pressure tactics
Scammers often claim the offer is time-sensitive or that you’ll “lose your right to recover” if you don’t act quickly. This is a trick to get you to panic.
They use suspicious email addresses
Real CEL emails only come from @celsolicitors.co.uk. Scammers often use similar-looking addresses like:
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celsolicitors@supportcenter.cc -
info@celcolisitors.co.uk(Please note the typo) -
Gmail or Outlook addresses (e.g.
paulcarsoncelsolicitors@gmail.com)
These may also be paired with fake phone numbers or WhatsApp accounts.
They impersonate real CEL staff
Several scams have used the names of genuine CEL Solicitors employees. For example, one recent scam impersonated a member of our team and claimed over $8,000 had been recovered, but would only be released once a £1,600 “escrow tax” was paid.
No such fee exists — this is a scam.
They push for WhatsApp or encrypted chat
Some scam emails encourage victims to speak over WhatsApp or untraceable platforms. This is not standard practice for regulated UK law firms.
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to pause and check. A legitimate firm will never rush you or make you feel uncomfortable for asking questions.
Are You Being Targeted Again?
If you’ve already lost money to a scam, you may be more vulnerable to future fraud. Scammers often share or sell information between themselves — including your contact details, the amount you lost, and how you paid.
This can lead to repeat targeting months or even years later. You may be contacted by someone who:
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Mentions your original scam
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Claims to work with your bank or the Financial Ombudsman
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Says they are “investigating” on your behalf
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Provides a fake case number to sound more credible
Some have even gone as far as spoofing CEL’s address and copying real information from our website. Others falsely claim to be “compliance managers” or “financial consultants” working on behalf of CEL Solicitors.
We’ve seen fraudulent messages using real company details — including our SRA number and company registration — in an attempt to trick people. Don’t be fooled.
If you’re ever unsure whether a message, call or email is genuinely from CEL Solicitors, please contact us directly. We’re always happy to confirm whether the contact is legitimate.
How CEL Solicitors Is Different
CEL Solicitors is a legitimate UK law firm that helps people recover money lost to fraud, and we never ask for payment up front.
We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means:
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You don’t pay anything unless we win your case
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Our fee comes from the other side, not from you
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You stay in control of your claim at all times
We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No: 633955) and have successfully recovered over £120 million for clients across the UK. As a regulated law firm, we have legal powers and protections that most refund companies simply don’t.
Thousands of people have trusted us to help them get their money back, and we’re proud to have earned over 10,000 five-star reviews across platforms like Trustpilot.
So if you’re looking for real legal help after a scam, you don’t have to do it alone. Just tell CEL.
A Proven Track Record of Getting Results
At CEL Solicitors, we’ve helped thousands of people across the UK recover money lost to scams. We’ve taken on banks, businesses and fraudulent platforms, and we’re proud to say we’ve recovered over £120 million for our clients so far.
We know how devastating it can feel when your trust has been abused. But with the right legal support, recovery is possible.
“They know what they’re doing, they know what they’re looking for.
“I’ve always thought in life, if you want to get something done you go to the experts – and CEL are the experts. That’s what they do. They deal with the Financial Ombudsman on a daily basis.
“When you get scammed you feel angry, a victim, like you’ve let your family down. You’re just in a really bad place.”
— Mr Hoadley, CEL Client
How to Protect Yourself Going Forward
If you’ve already been scammed, it’s important to stay cautious. Here are some tips to help protect yourself from recovery scams:
Don’t trust anyone who contacts you first
If you didn’t reach out to them, treat the message with caution, especially if they know personal details or ask for money.
Never pay upfront fees
CEL Solicitors will never ask for payment before your case begins. If someone asks for money to “release” your funds, stop and double-check.
Check email addresses and contact details
Scammers often use misspelt or unofficial domains. If you’re ever unsure, call us directly using the number on our official website.
Check credentials carefully
Verify that any company you speak to is regulated and registered. CEL Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No: 633955).
Look for real reviews and results
We have over 10,000 five-star reviews and a track record of real financial recovery.
Don’t be rushed or pressured
Real legal help gives you time to think. Scammers want you to act fast. Don’t let them rush you.
You Are Not Alone. Just Tell CEL.
If you’ve been scammed — and you’re now being targeted again — please don’t face it alone.
CEL Solicitors is a trusted UK law firm that deals with scam recovery every day. We understand how distressing this can be, and we’re here to help.
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We’ll never ask for money up front
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We’ll never pressure you to act quickly
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We’ll always treat your case with care and discretion
Speak to our team today to find out if we can help you recover what you’ve lost. Call 0330 822 3752 or complete an online form, and a member of our team will be in touch. It’s free to find out if you have a case, and we only get paid if we win it.
