People who have already lost money to an unlicensed broker are an easy second target. Guardian Associates presents itself online as a recovery desk: polished site, named “senior lawyers”, talk of getting funds back through a method branded Rolling Reserve. Victims have reported being handled by contacts such as Dana Irvine, then facing further asks for tax, commission, insurance, unblocking or legalisation payments — and silence when they stop paying.
A quick check is more useful than the brochure. In August 2025 the Financial Commission publicly added Guardian Associates to its warning list after reviewing complaints, and said it does not recommend dealing with the entity or people claiming to represent it in messaging apps. That is not a court conviction, but it is a clear external caution. Team pages that list many lawyers with thin public footprints are another reason to slow down: real solicitors appear on named regulators’ registers, not only on a marketing site.
Legitimate help does not need you to keep topping up mystery wallets to “release” money you were told was already recovered. Preserve every payment record, IBAN or crypto transaction identity (TXID), chat log and invoice, then report through official channels rather than the next friendly inbox.
If this pattern matches what you have seen, stop new transfers and use Get help. For the wider recovery-scam script, see Fake recovery.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal or financial advice. Details change. If you have lost money, contact your bank or card issuer and use the routes on the help pages.