#美SEC促进加密资产创新监管框架 Received a call from the police about virtual currency transactions? Three tips to help you handle it calmly $FHE

Last week, a friend of mine suddenly received a call from an unknown number while having lunch—“Hello, this is the Economic Crime Investigation Division of Yantai Public Security Bureau...” His phone almost slipped out of his hand. Although he has been trading crypto for three years, this was the first time he’d been questioned by the police.

In fact, situations like this have become increasingly common recently. Many exchange users have encountered similar scenarios: their account is suddenly frozen, or they receive a call from the police to verify the source of their funds. The key is knowing how to respond properly so you don’t delay the investigation while protecting your legal rights.

**Understand where the legal boundaries are**

First, it’s important to understand: personal buying and selling of digital currencies is not illegal in itself. According to current regulations, transactions of virtual assets between individuals are considered civil acts, as long as the funds involved are legitimate. However, if the funds you receive are linked to fraud, money laundering, or other criminal activities, you may bear corresponding responsibility.

So when you get such a call, be cooperative but clear in your statements: “All my transactions are done through legitimate channels, and there are records for all fund transfers.” Position yourself as an ordinary investor, not as part of any gray industry chain.

**Don’t be confrontational if asked to refund money**

If the officer mentions that a certain payment you received is problematic and asks you to return the funds, don’t get emotional. Pushing back with “Why should I?” or refusing to cooperate will only make things more complicated.

The correct approach is to first express your willingness to cooperate: “I understand that an investigation is necessary, and I will cooperate with whatever needs to be done.” Then proactively provide any evidence you have—order records from trading platforms, chat screenshots, transfer receipts, etc. Prove that your transactions were normal peer-to-peer exchanges, not intentional participation in illegal activities.

I’ve seen cases where people’s initial resistance led to other bank cards being frozen as well. Those who cooperated with the investigation usually had their issues resolved more quickly and with less impact.

**Different approaches for different situations**

There’s an important distinction here:

If the investigation finds that you were actually involved in a fraud ring or a money laundering chain, all related accounts may be controlled. But if you simply happened to receive problematic funds during normal trading, typically only the specific bank card involved will be frozen.

The most crucial point: cooperating with the investigation will not leave you with any negative record. On the contrary, refusing to cooperate or providing false information completely changes the nature of the situation and may lead to more severe consequences.

**How to reduce risks in daily transactions**

Ultimately, prevention is always better than remedy. Before each transaction, follow these three steps:

First, verify the identity of the other party—preferably choose trading partners who have completed real-name authentication; second, monitor the transaction history—be cautious with accounts that have frequent large inflows and outflows; third, use a separate dedicated wallet address—don’t keep all your assets in one place.

In the crypto space, playing it safe is always wiser than chasing short-term gains. Protect your assets so you can go further in this market. Don’t let a moment of carelessness drag you into unnecessary trouble.