Case Study: Young Entrepreneur Ryan Collins Outsmarts Chargeback Scam

Outlook

Young explorer Ryan Collins, aged 29, ran a successful green products business in San Diego, California. He wanted to make his operations smoother and keep his profits safe from scams. When a payment expert named Lewis Tran arrived, promising to help with fees and protect against chargebacks, Ryan saw a chance to shield his business.

He didn’t know he was stepping into a scam that would nearly ruin him.

Ryan’s Encounter with a Financial Scam

In early 2024, Lewis Tran emailed Ryan, saying he worked for a big payments company. Lewis showed up with a fancy presentation, promising to stop fake chargebacks and help recover lost money using a special platform.

After many calls and a long online meeting, Ryan paid a $7,500 “integration fee” and signed a service agreement. Soon after, he was talked into buying a $12,000 recovery insurance plan, which claimed to protect his payments. The dashboard looked real, showing disputes being handled and money being saved.

When a real customer complained about a fee, Ryan thought the service was working.

He was told his money would be returned after a reconciliation period. But after three months—and losing over $43,000—Ryan got nothing back. Every time he asked for details or a refund, he got vague replies or silence. Lewis disappeared, messages ceased, and the portal closed.

The Weight of Feelings and the Call for Recovery

The loss hit Ryan hard. He had to stop ads, delay paying suppliers, and let go of a part-time worker. He felt lost, like a tumbleweed in a storm, doubting his choices and friends. The scam wasn’t just theft—it was a well-planned fraud, making the betrayal worse.

Crossroads: Uncovering the National Crypto Helpline

While talking to other startup founders online, Ryan met someone who had also been scammed. That person got their money back with help from the National Crypto Helpline. With hope, Ryan reached out. He was met with professional guidance, understanding, and a clear plan. For the first time since the scam, he felt listened to and supported.

Lessons from Ryan’s Story: Recovery and Guidance

Step 1: Meeting Experts and Reviewing the Scam

Ryan met with a fraud recovery expert. Together, they reviewed contracts, emails, screenshots, and all his chats with Lewis. They found a web of trickery—a scam designed to take money from honest people.

Step 2: Tracking the Scam Online

The team used blockchain tracking, payment gateway checks, and domain lookups to follow Ryan’s money. They found it had moved to crypto exchanges and overseas accounts.

Step 3: Learning from the Scam and Getting Guidance

Scams now look like real business services: fake chargeback protection and compliance offers seem legitimate, with slick websites and fake dashboards. Upfront payments are a warning sign—real recovery services don’t ask for big fees with no clear results. Promises of “guaranteed results” are often part of the scam.

Keeping records like emails, contracts, and receipts helped Ryan’s recovery move faster.

Ryan’s Final Thoughts

“I thought I was good at handling risks, but this scam almost broke me. The National Crypto Helpline didn’t just help me recover my money—they gave me confidence again.”

If you’ve been scammed, act fast. Chargeback scams hide behind fake contracts and flashy branding, but the loss is real. If you’re having trouble getting your money back, don’t wait. Call the National Crypto Helpline—their team knows how to spot scams and help you get back what’s yours.

A Word of Caution

Even smart people can fall for scams.The key factor is the promptness with which you seek assistance and the importance of not attempting to navigate challenges independently.  With appropriate guidance and support, it is feasible to regain stability.