How to Complain to PVARA About a Crypto Scam or Unlicensed Platform
Lost money to a crypto platform in Pakistan? File a PVARA complaint online, get a reference number and learn what proof to keep. See the four categories.
Short answer: You can complain to the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) online at portal.pvara.gov.pk/complaints/submit. PVARA says it acknowledges a complaint within 2 business days, gives you a reference number to track it, and may take 30 to 60 days to investigate.
Picture a platform that shows a green profit balance and then refuses a withdrawal. The support chat goes quiet. The Telegram group deletes your messages. Most people in that position do not know which office to write to, so they write to nobody. PVARA has a complaints page for exactly this case.
We read the PVARA complaints page, its FAQ and the text of the Virtual Assets Act, 2026 on 12 October 2026. Below is what the page promises, what it does not, and how to prepare a complaint that an investigator can act on.
PVARA takes four kinds of complaint
PVARA's complaints page lists four categories: suspected fraud, an unlicensed virtual asset service provider, misconduct by a licensed provider, and other grievances. Pick the one that fits. A "virtual asset service provider" is a company that runs an exchange, wallet, custody or broker service for crypto.
| Category on the page | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Suspected fraud | A platform or person took your money and gave nothing, or the "returns" were fake |
| Unlicensed VASP | A company runs an exchange or P2P desk with no PVARA licence or NOC |
| Service provider misconduct | A licensed firm treats you unfairly, delays you or breaks consumer rights |
| Other grievances | Anything else about virtual assets that does not fit above |
The complaint form is online and gives you a reference number
The page links to a submission portal. After you send a complaint you receive a reference number. PVARA says you can use that number to track the complaint, and that its team may contact you by email or phone if it needs more information.
PVARA also says every complaint is treated as confidential and your personal information is protected under data privacy law. That matters if you are afraid of the scammer finding out who reported them.
The complaints page is also the contact page on the PVARA site. A separate PVARA advisory page lists team@pvara.gov.pk for queries. Use the portal for a formal complaint so you get a reference number.
How long PVARA says it takes
PVARA states two timings. An initial acknowledgment goes out within 2 business days. A full investigation may take 30 to 60 days, depending on how complex the case is. These are the authority's own figures on its page, not a guarantee of an outcome.
The page does not promise to recover your money. We could not find any line saying PVARA will refund a loss. Treat the complaint as a way to get the platform investigated and, if it is unlicensed, acted against. If you lost money in a fraud, you should also use the other routes below.
Prepare your evidence before you submit
A complaint with proof is easier to act on than a story. These steps are our suggestion, not a PVARA checklist. The portal may ask for different fields, so read it as you go.
- Write down the exact company or app name and the website address.
- Save screenshots of your account, balance, chat and any promise of returns.
- Note every payment: date, amount, the account or wallet address you sent to, and the bank or app you used.
- Check whether the company claims a PVARA licence number, and note what it said.
- Pick the category from the table above and submit on the portal.
- Write your reference number somewhere safe and note the date.
Before you file, you can check that the platform is on PVARA's register. If it is not, choose the unlicensed category.
A licensed firm must have its own complaint process
Section 45 of the Virtual Assets Act, 2026 says every licensee must set up and keep an internal complaint handling procedure. So with a licensed firm, write to its complaints desk first and keep the reply. That reply is good evidence if you escalate to PVARA.
The same section lets PVARA set up or recognise an independent dispute resolution scheme for claims below a prescribed amount. The word in the Act is "may". We did not find such a scheme or a threshold on the PVARA site, so do not count on one yet.
Use the other routes if you lost money
PVARA regulates virtual asset businesses. It is not a police force. If a scam took your money, you can report it to the NCCIA, which handles cybercrime. If you paid by bank transfer or wallet, you can also claim a fraud refund from your bank or wallet as soon as possible, because time limits apply there.
Do all three if they fit. They do different jobs. PVARA looks at the platform's licence status and conduct. The NCCIA investigates the crime. Your bank deals with the payment.
Common questions
Where do I file a crypto complaint in Pakistan?
File it on PVARA's online portal at portal.pvara.gov.pk/complaints/submit, which is linked from the Complaints page on pvara.gov.pk. You will get a reference number.
How long does PVARA take to reply?
PVARA says it acknowledges a complaint within 2 business days. A full investigation may take 30 to 60 days.
Will PVARA get my money back?
The page does not say so. It describes investigation of fraud, unlicensed providers and misconduct. Report a scam to the NCCIA and your bank as well.
Can I complain about an unlicensed exchange?
Yes. "Unlicensed VASP" is one of the four categories. Under section 50 of the Act, a business offering virtual asset services in or from Pakistan must be a Pakistani company with a PVARA licence.
Is my complaint kept confidential?
PVARA says all complaints are treated with strict confidentiality and your personal information is protected under data privacy laws.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
We read the PVARA complaints page, its FAQ and the text of the Virtual Assets Act, 2026 published on pvara.gov.pk on 12 October 2026. Timings and categories are PVARA's own words and may change. Check the portal before you file.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
