Restitution

Restitution is a legal remedy ordered by a court requiring a convicted defendant to repay victims for the financial harm directly caused by the crime. In the US, the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act 1996 requires federal courts to order restitution for many fraud offences regardless of the offender's ability to pay. UK courts have similar powers under the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. Restitution is separate from any fine paid to the state.

For scam victims, restitution represents one of the most direct routes to financial recovery through the criminal justice process — but it depends on a successful prosecution, the defendant being identifiable and in custody, and the court choosing to exercise its powers. In practice, many fraudsters operate abroad, use nominees, or dissipate funds before capture, making full restitution rare.

Even when a restitution order is made, collecting the money can be difficult. Victims are typically listed as judgment creditors and may wait years for distributions as assets are located and liquidated. The US Department of Justice's Crime Victims Fund provides some gap-filling, and in the UK victims of violent crime can apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, though fraud victims have fewer state compensation options.