Crypto Isn’t Anonymous: Inside the World of Blockchain Forensics with Ralph Dahm In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with Ralph Dahm, a veteran in technology, financial investigations, and executive search, to explore the growing world of crypto fraud and blockchain forensics. Ralph began studying Bitcoin in 2013, when it was increasingly being used to bypass anti-money laundering (AML) laws and financial regulations. Since then, he has dedicated his career to tracing stolen digital assets, helping fraud victims seek justice, and educating the public about the risks of cryptocurrency scams. During the conversation, Ralph explains how crypto fraud affects real people, why recovery is so difficult, and why only 2–5% of cases result in recovered funds. He also walks through how blockchain tracing actually works, from transaction “hops” to AI-powered forensic tools used to follow funds across wallets and exchanges. Chris and Ralph discuss: • How investigators trace cryptocurrency across blockchains • Why law enforcement often struggles to pursue crypto cases • The rise of romance scams, tech-support scams, and AI impersonation fraud • The global networks behind modern financial crime • The risks of Bitcoin ATMs with high fees and weak identity verification • Emerging regulations designed to protect victims • Practical steps anyone can take to avoid becoming a fraud victim If you’ve ever wondered whether crypto is truly anonymous—or how investigators recover stolen digital assets—this episode offers an inside look at the world of blockchain forensics and financial crime investigations. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Introduction 00:35 Meet Ralph Dahm 02:50 Early Bitcoin Origins 04:08 Victims and Law Enforcement 06:27 Romance Scam Story 07:43 Subpoenas and Recovery 10:20 First Call With Victims 12:04 Fake Recovery Firms 13:26 Tracing on the Blockchain 14:37 AI and Old Cases 16:03 Explaining Blockchain Evidence 17:20 Working With Law Firms 17:53 AI Voice Scam Example 18:48 Justice for Scam Victims 21:07 Bitcoin ATM Fraud 23:15 Career Advice and Fraud Red Flags 25:22 Resources and Prevention Tips 28:03 Closing and Call to Action About Ralph Dahm Ralph Dahm is a Certified Financial Crimes Investigator (CFCI) with more than 30 years of experience in technology, financial crime investigations, and executive recruiting. He is the Founder of Twin Oaks Holdings, President of IT Audit Search, and Executive Managing Director at Smart Ballots, where he focuses on blockchain technology, election security, and fraud investigation. Ralph works at the intersection of blockchain forensics, cryptocurrency fraud recovery, and financial crime prevention, helping victims, law firms, and law enforcement agencies trace stolen digital assets and pursue justice. His professional network includes 10,000+ contacts across law enforcement, blockchain, and financial crime communities, and he frequently writes and speaks about the evolving risks of crypto fraud and digital asset security. Connect with Ralph: • https://ralphdahm.com • https://twinoakscrs.com • https://linkedin.com/in/ralphdahm About the Podcast Beyond the Numbers is where conversations about wealth go deeper. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast brings together leaders from business, finance, law, and technology to discuss the strategies, decisions, and purpose behind building lasting wealth. Subscribe for more conversations about wealth, leadership, and purpose. #blockchain #cryptofraud #bitcoin #financialcrime #cybersecurity #blockchainforensics #cryptoscams #wealthprotection #beyondthenumbers