Northmark Recovery — Asset Tracing & Investigation

Half a billion pounds recovered — one case at a time.

£3,331,618 returned in a single Bitcoin case. Fourteen years after the exchange closed. Not a miracle — a method.

You've been told the money is gone. Maybe you've heard it twice. We don't begin with promises. We begin with your records, and we follow the evidence to wherever it actually leads — including when it leads nowhere.

Find out what happened to your money
The case that changed how people see this work

An investment left behind. A trail that wasn't dead.

In 2011, an early Bitcoin investor bought 61 BTC through Intersango — one of the first exchanges to serve UK customers.

When it collapsed, his access vanished with it. Fourteen years passed. Most people would have written it off. He nearly did.

Then, in January 2026, he asked for an investigation.

What followed was methodical, unglamorous work: historical records pulled together, specialist tracing, overseas proceedings. By May 2026, all 61 Bitcoin had been returned. The reported value at recovery was £3,331,618.

Read the full case study →
A case that's never investigated is a case that's never recovered.
The people doing the work

Recovery isn't one person with a laptop.

Before you engage anyone, you should know exactly who is going to touch your case — and what each of them does.

01

The crypto forensics investigator

Blockchain analysis. Follows transaction flows across wallets, exchanges and mixers. Turns an anonymous ledger into a readable trail.

02

The fraud & recovery solicitor

Overseas proceedings. Court applications. Correspondence with exchanges and financial institutions. Knows what's legally recoverable and how to apply pressure through the right channels.

03

The evidence analyst

Reconstructs your timeline. Pulls old emails, registration confirmations, bank statements and payment references into a coherent narrative — and identifies which gaps can still be filled.

04

The case manager

Your single point of contact. Coordinates the specialists, manages costs, keeps you informed. No black boxes. No silence.

How the work is done

From first message to written findings, in five stages.

No guesswork. No surprises. Every stage is documented before it begins.

One

Share your case

A short account of what happened. The email tied to the old account. Registration messages. Bank statements. Payment references. A timeline of deposits and withdrawal attempts.

No perfect file required. Start with what you have.
Two

Receive an initial assessment

We review what's available and tell you honestly whether there's a suitable basis for further investigation.

No fee surprises. No pressure to proceed.
Three

Review the written proposal

Before any investigative work begins, you receive what can be investigated, what information is required, exactly what the costs are, deliverables and exclusions, and refund conditions.

You approve before we proceed. In writing.
Four

Follow the transactions

The forensics team examines available records — on-chain data, exchange records, historical correspondence — to identify movements, connections and investigative leads.

This is where cold trails get warm again.
Five

Review your findings

A written report: findings, limitations, and matters to discuss with your bank, legal adviser or relevant authorities.

If recovery routes exist, they're identified. If they don't, you'll know that too — honestly.
What we investigate

Follow the money. Whatever form it took.

Different scams. Same principle: preserve the evidence, trace the movement, understand the route forward.

Cryptocurrency transaction tracing

You sent crypto to a suspected scam. The starting point is the record of each transfer — network, asset, amount, wallet addresses, transaction hashes.

Identifying movement on a blockchain does not by itself establish identity or secure return. But it's where every case begins. Discuss your crypto case →

Suspected investment & forex fraud

A platform displayed profits while preventing withdrawals or demanding more payments. Save the account statements, deposit history, withdrawal requests and messages explaining restrictions.

Displayed profits don't establish where your payments went. Discuss your investment case →

Romance scam payment investigations

You trusted someone. They invented emergencies, suggested investments, requested help. You don't need to defend why you trusted them — you need to know where the money went.

You don't need technical knowledge. Start with the account you can give. Request a confidential assessment →

Evidence organisation & reporting

Emails. Registration messages. Bank statements. Payment references. Platform URLs. Conversations. We organise originals, preserve them, and build an index explaining what each file shows.

A clear evidence pack helps a reviewer understand the sequence without relying on the platform's current account display. Organise your evidence →
A free starting point

Before you speak to anyone — build this file.

The evidence checklist that starts every serious case. Print it, tick it, and you'll already be ahead of most enquiries.

For each payment, keep:

The message or page requesting it
The asset and blockchain network
The sending and receiving addresses
The transaction hash, amount and date
The exchange or wallet confirmation
Any bank or card record funding the purchase
The platform URL and account statements
Relevant conversations and advertisements

Keep original exports separate from notes or annotated copies. Create an index explaining what each file shows. Do not include passwords, private keys, seed phrases or authentication codes.

Download the full evidence checklist (PDF)
Fees & terms

Know what you're paying for. Before you pay it.

Transparent structure. Written proposal. No hidden fees, and no clever wording tucked into the fine print.

Initial assessment

Free — no obligation
  • Review of available records
  • Honest suitability assessment
  • Explanation of potential next steps
  • No pressure to proceed
Request assessment

Full investigation

Proposal — written scope
  • Transactions or accounts included
  • Expected deliverables
  • Payment terms
  • Any work outside the scope
  • Success-based fee (if applicable) stated in agreement
  • Refund eligibility conditions
Ask for a written proposal

Paying for an investigation does not purchase a guaranteed recovery outcome. Investigation and recovery are different things. Tracing doesn't guarantee funds return.

Trust & verification

Check the facts before choosing an investigator.

You should be able to establish who you're dealing with and what they're proposing to do. If a firm makes that difficult, that itself is information.

  • Legal business name and registration details
  • Relevant professional credentials
  • Written agreement before work begins
  • Contact information verifiable through independent sources
  • Clear explanation of what evidence supports the proposed investigation
  • Honest statement of what remains outside the provider's control
No private investigator should claim authority that belongs to a court, financial institution or law-enforcement agency. Take time to review the terms. Obtain independent advice if needed.

Request our business details →

The Ecosystem

Recovery is never one firm alone. It's a network.

When stolen funds move, they pass through blockchain analytics firms, stablecoin issuers, exchanges and law enforcement. Understanding who does what — and how they coordinate — is part of knowing what's realistically possible.

Blockchain analyticsChainalysis
Traced stolen assets and shared investigative leads to help partners freeze funds.
Threat intelligenceTRM Labs
Tracked the funds and alerted partners through its Beacon Network.
Stablecoin issuersTether · Circle · Ripple · World Liberty Financial
Froze stablecoins connected to the theft.
Law enforcementFBI · U.S. Secret Service · IRS Criminal Investigation
Investigated the attack and coordinated efforts to disrupt laundering.
The difference between freezing and returning.

Freezing stolen funds does not mean they have been returned to the victims. It simply stops the assets from moving further.

Binance notably used its own company resources to replenish affected customer assets following the incident. This is a crucial distinction: recovering the trail is one step; securing the actual return of funds requires either the cooperation of the platform or legal pressure.

This is the ecosystem a serious investigation works within. Not every case reaches every partner — but knowing who they are, and what each stage can realistically achieve, is the difference between a promise and a plan.

Ask how this applies to your case →

Case studies

See how individual cases developed.

Documented outcomes. Real evidence. Honest limitations.

Cryptocurrency

The Intersango recovery

61 BTC bought in 2011. Exchange collapsed. Fourteen years later, an investigation was instructed. All 61 Bitcoin returned.

£3,331,618 reported recovered value
Read the full story →
Investment fraud

The WhatsApp investment scam

Approached through WhatsApp. Persuaded to use crypto investment services. Apparent returns encouraged further payments. Bank initially rejected — then agreed to full refund.

More than £117,000 recovered
Read the full story →
Romance fraud

The romance fraud investigation

An online relationship became a series of financial requests. Each payment had an explanation. The case study follows the development of trust and the records used to understand what happened.

Evidence report delivered
Read the full story →

Individual outcomes depend on their circumstances. Tracing, freezing and returning assets are different stages. A successful recovery in one case does not guarantee the same outcome elsewhere.

Client voices — 35 accounts

Don't take our word for it. Take theirs.

Real clients. Real outcomes. Identities protected where required.

★★★★★

"He fought my case with intelligence and persistence. From the first call, Kai Fessey was patient with every question I asked — and I asked a lot. He kept me updated when there was nothing to update, which mattered more than I expected. The £8,800 came back, but what stayed with me was the way the case was handled: carefully, honestly, and without ever making me feel like a nuisance."

Wendy
Work-from-home scam
£8,800 recovered
CEL Solicitors
★★★★★

"If you want to get something done, you go to the experts. That's what I learned. Being scammed leaves you feeling foolish, and the last thing you want is to be spoken down to. I wasn't. I was treated like someone who'd been through something difficult — because I had. The expertise was obvious from the beginning, and so was the fact that they'd done this many times before."

Mr Hoadley
Fraud client
CEL Solicitors
★★★★★

"I had no money left. I had absolutely nothing left. I'd remortgaged my home. I'd borrowed from relatives. I was ashamed to tell anyone what had happened. When the case was reviewed, nobody made me feel small. The £120,000 recovered changed my life — but the way I was treated changed how I thought about myself. I stopped blaming myself. That took longer than the money."

Helen
Romance scam
£120,000 recovered
CEL Solicitors
★★★★★

"CEL treated me with the utmost respect from day one. The investigation was thorough, the communication was regular, and the repairs process was explained to me clearly at every stage. I never had to chase anyone for an update. The £6,000 in compensation was welcome, but it was the way I was treated that I remember most — like a person, not a case number."

Barbara, Manchester
Housing disrepair
£6,000 compensation
CEL Solicitors
★★★★★

"Speaking on camera wasn't easy. But I wanted to say what the process actually felt like — not the polished version. The team was straightforward with me from the start. They told me what could be investigated, what couldn't, and what the costs would be. When the outcome came, it was because of the work, not because of luck. I'd recommend them to anyone who's been through something similar."

Marco
Video testimonial
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"I didn't know what to expect when I first called. I'd been told by someone else that there was nothing that could be done. That turned out not to be true. The team reviewed my records carefully, explained the path forward, and kept me informed throughout. What I appreciated most was the honesty — they never promised an outcome they couldn't deliver."

Anne
Video testimonial
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"The septic tank issue had been causing problems for years before I finally asked for help. Looking back, I wish I'd called sooner. The investigation was methodical, the evidence was gathered properly, and the case was built on facts rather than assumptions. The outcome was fair, and I understood every step along the way."

Mark
Septic tank claim
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"I've dealt with solicitors before and I know how easy it is to feel like you're being processed. This was different. The team listened, asked the right questions, and never made me feel rushed. When the case concluded, I felt like I'd been represented rather than handled. I'd use them again without hesitation."

Ken
Video testimonial
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"What stood out to me was the communication. I was kept informed at every stage, even when there was nothing new to report. That might sound small, but when you're going through something stressful, it's enormous. The outcome was what I hoped for — but the way I was treated along the way is what I remember."

Jeannette
Video testimonial
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"I was hesitant about going down the legal route. I thought it would be complicated and expensive. It wasn't. The process was explained to me clearly, the costs were set out in writing before anything began, and the team was patient with every question I had. If you're on the fence, my advice is simple: make the call."

Ted
Video testimonial
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"I don't normally leave reviews, but I wanted to make an exception. The team was professional, thorough and — above all — kind. That combination is rarer than it should be. They took the time to understand my situation and gave me realistic expectations from the start. The outcome was positive, but the honesty was what sold me."

Maria
Video testimonial
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"From the first conversation to the final outcome, I felt like I was in capable hands. The investigation was careful and the findings were explained to me in plain language — no jargon, no assumptions that I already knew how any of this worked. I'd recommend them to anyone who's been in a similar position."

Vijeyashankar
Video testimonial
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"I've worked with professionals across many industries, and what distinguished this team was the follow-through. They said what they would do, and then they did it. That sounds simple, but it isn't common. The outcome was what I wanted, but the reliability was what impressed me most. I've since recommended them to two people I know."

Bill Dodd
Video testimonial
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"The thing I appreciated most was the pace. I wasn't left waiting for weeks between updates. The team moved when there was movement to make, and they told me when there wasn't. When the outcome came, it came faster than I expected. The result was positive, but the momentum was what kept me going through the process."

Luke
Video testimonial
CEL Solicitors — Video
★★★★★

"I had a really positive experience speaking with Beverly Owusu-Ansah. She was patient with my questions, explained everything clearly, and made sure I understood each stage of the process before we moved on. It's rare to feel genuinely listened to when dealing with a legal matter. I didn't feel like a case number — I felt like a person. That made a real difference to how I approached the whole thing."

Amala Appanna
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"Paul was informative and optimistic about the case from the very first call, but not in a way that felt unrealistic. He explained what could and couldn't be done, and gave me a clear sense of what the process would look like. That balance — hopeful without overpromising — was exactly what I needed. I'd recommend him without hesitation."

Yasmin
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"I particularly appreciated the transparency throughout. Paul Carson's initial handling of my case was clear, measured, and free of the kind of jargon that usually makes these conversations harder than they need to be. I knew what was happening, why it was happening, and what it would cost. That's more than I can say for other firms I've dealt with."

Allan S. Birch
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"Finding the firm was worthwhile. I'd been unsure whether pursuing the matter was even possible, and the initial conversation gave me a clear sense of the options available. There was no pressure to proceed, no hard sell, no attempts to inflate what could be achieved. I was given the facts and left to decide. That approach earned my trust immediately."

Peter Bradshaw
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"I want to thank CEL and, in particular, caseworker Matthew Simms. He was consistently responsive, explained the process clearly, and made sure I understood each step before we moved forward. Whenever I had a question, he answered it properly — not with a template reply. The outcome was what I hoped for, but the care along the way is what I'll remember."

Joseph
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"Beverly's customer service was excellent. She was friendly without being overly familiar, professional without being cold, and made the whole process feel less daunting than I expected. I've dealt with firms where the person on the phone clearly wished they were somewhere else. That wasn't the case here. She made the time to help properly."

Paul
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"The staff were helpful in explaining the process from beginning to end. I'd been unsure what to expect, and having someone take the time to walk me through each stage — without rushing, without assuming I already knew — made a significant difference. I never felt like I was being a burden for asking questions. That's not always the case with legal firms."

Nicola Cherry
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"The service was patient and reassuring throughout. I was anxious about the whole situation, and the team never added to that anxiety. They explained things clearly, gave me time to think, and followed up when they said they would. The outcome was positive, but it was the tone of the whole experience that made it manageable."

Lilian Gyamfi
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"Yasmin was helpful and pleasant throughout. She was patient with my questions, made sure I understood what was happening, and never made me feel rushed. When you're dealing with something stressful, that kind of calm competence is exactly what you want on the other end of the phone. I'd recommend her to anyone in a similar position."

Humera Javid
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"I received calm support during what was a genuinely traumatic experience. The team didn't rush me, didn't minimise what had happened, and didn't make me feel foolish for needing help. That combination — calm, patient, respectful — is harder to find than it should be. I'm grateful for the way I was treated, and for the outcome."

Richard Basey
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"Chantell Twort was excellent — clear in her explanations and consistent with her updates. I always knew where things stood, what was coming next, and what I needed to do. When you're dealing with a legal process for the first time, that clarity is invaluable. I never had to chase for information. That alone made the experience far better than I expected."

Joan Cooke
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"Paul Carson was polite, clear and efficient. He didn't waste my time, didn't talk down to me, and made sure I understood what was happening at every stage. The whole interaction was professional without being cold. If more firms operated like this, fewer people would dread dealing with legal matters."

John Lubbock
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"The registration process was handled helpfully and without friction. I'd expected it to be tedious, and it wasn't. The person I dealt with was clear, patient, and didn't make me repeat information I'd already provided. It's a small thing, but it set the tone for the rest of the process. First impressions matter."

Jeffrey Day
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"Paul Carson gave me individual attention from the very first conversation. He remembered the details of my situation, followed up on things he said he would, and never made me feel like I was being passed between people. That continuity — dealing with the same person throughout — made a real difference to how confident I felt about the process."

David Norman
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"The staff were kind, patient and genuinely helpful. I'd been nervous about reaching out, and the tone of the first conversation put me at ease. Nobody made me feel like I was wasting their time. The process was explained clearly, the next steps were set out, and I felt supported throughout. I'd recommend them without hesitation."

Yashar Khatib Shahidi
CEL Solicitors — Trustpilot
★★★★★

"What stayed with me was how honest they were at every step. I'd been told by others that my situation was hopeless, so I came in with low expectations. They didn't promise anything. They told me what could be investigated, what couldn't, and what the realistic range of outcomes looked like. When the result came, it came because of the work — not because of a promise. That honesty gave me hope without giving me false hope, and I've never forgotten the difference."

Retired Teacher
New Zealand
OnTrack Recovery — Case Study
★★★★★

"They did it fast — faster than I expected, and with a level of competence that made me realise how much of my previous experience with other firms had been guesswork. The evidence report was thorough, clearly organised, and useful in a way I hadn't anticipated. I'd assumed a report would be a formality. It wasn't. It was the document that changed how the matter was handled."

Software Engineer
Australia
OnTrack Recovery — Case Study
★★★★★

"The evidence package was extraordinary. My barrister said as much — that the documentation was among the clearest she'd worked with. That isn't a compliment I expected to hear. It changed the trajectory of the proceedings. When you're dealing with something this serious, the quality of the evidence pack isn't a detail. It's the whole thing."

Business Owner
United Kingdom
OnTrack Recovery — Case Study
★★★★★

"The whole process was handled with complete discretion. That mattered to me more than I can say. My situation was personal, and the last thing I wanted was for it to become public or for details to be shared unnecessarily. Every conversation was handled with care. When the money came back, the personal significance was enormous — but so was the fact that my privacy had been respected throughout."

Registered Nurse
Canada
OnTrack Recovery — Case Study
★★★★★

"We got our money back — and, unexpectedly, the investigation identified other victims we hadn't known about. That changed how we understood what had happened to us. It wasn't just our loss; it was part of a pattern. Knowing that made the outcome feel less like a personal failure and more like a wrong that had been corrected, at least in part. We're grateful for the thoroughness."

Pre-retirees
Australia
OnTrack Recovery — Case Study
★★★★★

"Recovering 78% with the limited information we initially had was nothing short of remarkable. The documentation was meticulous — every step accounted for, every conclusion supported. In our line of work, we're used to dealing with professional firms. This was among the better ones we've engaged. The outcome exceeded what we thought was realistic, and the quality of the reporting matched the quality of the result."

Family Office
Switzerland
78% recovered
OnTrack Recovery — Case Study

The investor behind the Intersango recovery didn't get his Bitcoin back because he was lucky.

He got it back because he acted — after 14 years of believing it was gone.

Your case may be different. The outcome may be different.

But a case that's never investigated is a case that's never recovered.

Start with the records you have.

You don't need everything. You need a starting point:

Clear expectations from the start. Written terms before work begins. No guarantees — but no wasted years wondering, either.