How to Save Evidence After a Scam (Step-by-Step)

If you have been scammed, do not delete anything. Follow these steps to build a safe “evidence locker” that you can show to your bank or the police.

Step 1: Create a brand new Google Account

Do not use your everyday email. Scammers might have access to it. We want a completely fresh, safe space.

1. On your phone or computer, go to gmail.com.
2. Click Create account (choose “For my personal use”).
3. Pick a simple username you will remember (e.g., yourname.evidence@gmail.com).
4. Important: Write the password down on a physical piece of paper. Do not save it on your computer.

Step 2: Open your digital “Evidence Locker”

1. While logged into your new email, look at the top right corner of the screen for the Grid icon (9 dots) next to your profile picture.
2. Click that grid and select the Drive icon (it looks like a green, yellow, and blue triangle).
3. This is your Google Drive—a private, secure online filing cabinet.

Step 3: Create your evidence folders

To make this easy for the police or your bank to read, organize your files into three folders.

• Click the New button (or the large + plus sign) on the left side of the screen.
• Click New folder.
• Create these three folders one by one:

📁 1. Scammer Profiles

What goes here: Screenshots of the scammer’s profile page, their username, their phone number, their profile picture, and the website links they sent you.

📁 2. Messages & Chats

What goes here: Photos of your conversations. Take a screenshot of every text message, WhatsApp chat, email, or social media message they sent you. (Make sure the dates and times are visible in the photo).

An easy way to save your full Whatsapp conversation is to go to that chat, press the 3 dots at the top and click ‘Export Chat’. Then upload this to Google Drive.

📁 3. Money & Transactions

What goes here: Official PDF bank statements showing the money leaving your account, photos of receipts, crypto transaction codes, or pictures of gift cards you bought for them.

Step 4: Upload your photos and files

1. Open one of your new folders by double-clicking it.
2. Click the New button (or + plus sign) and choose File upload.
3. Select the photos or documents from your phone or computer to save them safely forever.