Most Common Crypto Scams and How to Avoid Them

Cryptocurrencies are becoming more and more popular. With a finite amount of crypto assets in circulation and a limited number of coins being mined, their value is only going to continue to increase. Many investors and traders are now diversifying their crypto assets – buying digital art, new crypto coins, and more – to ensure that they don’t miss out on the next big thing.

However, with this popularity comes increased scam activity. Scammers are always looking for new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting crypto traders, especially newbies who may not be aware of the dangers. This article will take a look at some of the most common crypto scams and how you can avoid them.

Pump-and-Dump Schemes

One of the most common crypto scams is the pump-and-dump scheme. This is where a group of traders get together and artificially inflate the price of a certain cryptocurrency by buying it in large quantities. They do this in the hopes of selling it at a higher price once gullible investors jump on the bandwagon.

Of course, once the scammers have sold their coins, the price crashes. Everyone who bought in at the top then loses money. These schemes are often orchestrated through social media platforms such as Telegram and Discord. If you see a group of people talking about a certain coin that you’ve never heard of before, be very wary. It’s likely that they’re part of a pump-and-dump scheme and are just trying to get you to invest so that they can make a quick profit.

Ponzi Schemes

Ponzi or “Get Rich Quick” schemes are unfortunately all too common in the crypto world. Named after Charles Ponzi, who ran a similar scheme in the 1920s, these schemes promise investors high returns on their investment, but they do not use that money to trade or invest. Instead, the promise of returns comes from money invested by new participants rather than from any real underlying business or investment.

This type of scheme is not unique to the cryptocurrency world, but because of the lack of regulation combined with the anonymous nature of crypto transactions, it has been used more frequently in cryptocurrency scams. Additionally, Ponzi schemes can be very difficult to spot, as the people running them are often very good at creating fake social media accounts and websites. They may also pay out small amounts of money to early investors to make it look like the scheme is legitimate.

One famous example of a Ponzi scheme in the crypto world is Bitconnect. In 2016, Bitconnect promised its investors returns of up to 1% daily compounded interest by lending their crypto assets to the platform. However, the platform was using new investor funds to pay out the promised returns to earlier investors. When the scheme finally collapsed in 2018, the value of Bitconnect dropped by 92% and many people lost a lot of money.

So if the project seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be especially wary of any project that promises guaranteed returns, or that claims to have a special “secret formula” for success.

Fake ICOs

An ICO, or initial coin offering, is a type of crowdfunding where investors can receive tokens in exchange for their investment. ICOs have become a popular way for cryptocurrency startups to raise funds, but they have also become a target for scammers.

Scammers will create fake ICOs to steal investors’ money. They will promise investors unrealistic returns, or they may not deliver on their promises after the ICO is over. Others may simply disappear with the money that was raised.

To avoid falling victim to a fake ICO, make sure to do your research before investing. Check that the project is backed by a credible team and that there is a real use case for the token that is being offered. Also, be sure to check that the ICO is registered with a reputable exchange.

Fake Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Cryptocurrency exchanges are online platforms where you can buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrencies. These exchanges have become a target for scammers, who have set up fake exchanges that either don’t deliver on their promises or simply steal your money. New crypto traders are particularly vulnerable to these scams, as they may not be familiar with the process of buying and selling cryptocurrencies.

To avoid falling victim to a fake exchange, make sure to do your research before signing up. Always check online reviews of the exchange to see what other users have to say.

Fake Wallets

Just like there are fake ICOs and crypto exchanges, there are also fake wallets. These wallets are designed to look like legitimate cryptocurrency wallets, but they contain malware that can steal your private keys and your coins. To avoid fake wallets, only download wallets from trusted sources, such as the official website of the coin you’re holding. Be sure to also check reviews and ratings before downloading any wallet.

Phishing Scams

In a phishing scam, a scammer will send an email or message that looks like it’s from a legitimate source but is designed to steal your private information. This type of scam is also common in the banking and finance world, as scammers will try to trick you into giving them your login credentials or account numbers.

To avoid falling victim to a phishing scam, be extra careful of any emails or messages that you receive. If an email looks suspicious, don’t click on any links or attachments. And if you’re ever asked to provide sensitive information, make sure that you’re on a secure and official website.

The Bottom Line

These are just some of the most common scams in the crypto world. To avoid being scammed, always do your due diligence before investing in any crypto project. Check for red flags such as a lack of transparency, unrealistic promises, or a team that isn’t identifiable. Also, be sure to diversify your investments and never invest more than you can afford to lose.