How Can I Start a Business to Find Stolen Money?

You ever lose money and suddenly turn into Sherlock Holmes? One minute you’re sipping coffee, and the next, you’re deep in a financial crime scene, analyzing every transaction like it holds the key to the universe.

But then you have an even wilder thought—what if you got so good at tracking down stolen money that you turned it into a business?

Could you actually help people recover their lost funds?

Would people pay for this?

And most importantly—can you even get your OWN money back first?

Let’s dive into what’s real, what’s a long shot, and how you might actually make this work.

Step 1: Can You Even Find Your Own Stolen Money?

Before you start telling people you can recover their lost fortunes, let’s do a little test: Can you even find YOUR money first?

Because if you just got scammed on Facebook Marketplace for a ‘too good to be true’ golf cart, and your best plan is posting “where’s my money” in the comments section… we have some work to do.

Possible to Recover:

Bank fraud – If someone jacked your account, your bank might reverse the charges.
Credit card chargebacks – If you paid for something you never got, you might get a refund.
Unclaimed funds – Tax refunds, old bank accounts, forgotten paychecks—this is a goldmine.
Hidden assets – If money is legally owed, it may be traceable (especially in lawsuits, divorces, or business fraud).

Probably Gone Forever:

Crypto scams – If you “invested” in a Telegram trading bot, congratulations, you just bought air.
Wire transfers to scammers – Sent money via Zelle, Western Union, or Bitcoin? Poof.
Cash theft – If someone snatched your wallet, it’s probably already been converted into fast food and bad decisions.

Reality Check: If you can’t recover your own stolen money, building a business on this might be a challenge. But if you CAN, let’s talk options.

Step 2: What Kind of Business Could You Start?

Alright, let’s say you’ve got a knack for tracking down money. There are legit ways to turn this into a side hustle—or even a full-blown business.

1. Lost Money Recovery Service (AKA: Finding “Free” Money)

Millions of dollars are just sitting in unclaimed funds because people forgot about them. It’s basically free money—if they know where to look.

How You Make Money:

• Search for lost funds using MissingMoney.com.
• Help people claim their money in exchange for a finder’s fee (usually 10-30%).
• Some states regulate this, so check your local laws.

Easy to start, legal, and low risk.
BUT: If someone can Google it themselves, they might not pay you for it.

2. Fraud & Chargeback Consulting (AKA: Fighting Back Against Scammers)

Banks and credit card companies make filing fraud disputes as painful as possible. Most people don’t know how to win their cases—which is where you come in.

How You Make Money:

• Help people file disputes, chargebacks, and fraud claims.
• Charge a flat fee or take a cut of recovered funds.
• Teach clients how to present evidence so banks actually listen.

BUT… Here’s the Catch:

• You can’t guarantee refunds, so manage expectations.
• Some cases (like Cash App & Venmo scams) are almost impossible to win.

3. Asset Recovery & Private Investigations (AKA: Big Leagues)

Now, if you’re picturing yourself in sunglasses, tracking offshore bank accounts like a Netflix docuseries, slow down.

Private investigators and forensic accountants do track down stolen money, but:

• You might need a license (depends on your state).
• It’s not as sexy as you think—more spreadsheets, fewer car chases.
• This works best for business fraud, hidden assets, and lawsuits.

How You Make Money:

• Charge businesses or individuals to track stolen wages, business fraud, and hidden bank accounts.
• Work with lawyers to trace assets in lawsuits or divorces.

BUT… Unless you have a background in finance, law, or investigations, this is NOT a beginner-friendly gig.

Step 3: How to Get Started (Without Wasting Time & Money)

So you still want to chase down lost money for a living? Here’s how to start without overcomplicating things.

Start with what you know.

• If you recovered your own stolen money, test your skills on friends & family first.
• Build a simple process (checklists, scripts, resources).

Test the market before charging money.

• Offer free or low-cost help to see if people are willing to pay.
• Set up a basic website or social media page explaining your service.

Stay legal & ethical.

• NEVER promise refunds—you can help, but you’re not a miracle worker.
• Make sure you’re not violating state laws (some places regulate finder’s fees).
• If you go into serious asset recovery, look into PI or forensic accounting licenses.

Final Thoughts: Is This a Legit Business Idea?

Yes—if:
You focus on real, legal money recovery (not chasing scammers).
You help people navigate the system (chargebacks, unclaimed funds, legal disputes).
You set realistic expectations (not every case is winnable).

No—if:
You think you can track down “stolen” money that vanished into thin air.
You plan to recover crypto, wire transfers, or “investment” scams.
You assume people will automatically pay you (some will, but not everyone).

Bottom Line: If you’re good at research, persistence, and navigating financial systems, this can be a profitable niche. But if you’re just here because you got scammed by a “rare collectible” that turned out to be a sticker… well, maybe this isn’t your calling.

Would you ever start a business like this? Or have a wild “lost money” story? Let’s talk in the comments—I love a good financial detective story.