Types of Online Crypto Scams

Someone promises money, a service, or an investment return, but first asks you to pay a fee. After you pay, more fees may follow.

Example You must pay a release fee before withdrawing your supposed profits.

Safer step Do not send more money to unlock a promised payment.

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A scammer uses a shared connection, such as a church, club, workplace, or cultural group, to gain trust. Other group members may also have been misled.

Example A person says an investment is safe because several people from your community joined.

Safer step Check the offer independently. A shared background is not proof of honesty.

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Someone claims that artificial intelligence, or AI, can trade crypto for you without risk. A convincing demonstration or profit chart can be made up.

Example An automated trading program supposedly earns a fixed profit every day.

Safer step Treat guaranteed returns as a warning. AI does not remove investment risk.

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An appealing offer draws you in. After you commit money, the seller replaces it with something different or adds terms you did not agree to.

Example A promised digital item becomes a cheaper substitute after you pay.

Safer step Read the terms before paying. Keep a copy of the original offer.

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Someone threatens to expose private information or images unless you pay in crypto. They may be bluffing, using stolen information, or using altered images.

Example An email claims to have a private recording and demands Bitcoin.

Safer step Do not send money or more images. Save the threat and seek help.

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A caller directs you to a machine that turns cash into crypto. They tell you to scan a code that sends the money to a wallet they control.

Example Someone claiming to be your bank says to move cash into a safe account using a crypto ATM.

Safer step Stop. Contact your bank using the number on your card.

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A fake game offers rewards for playing, but asks you to deposit crypto or give it access to your wallet. The rewards may be fake, and that access can let someone take your funds.

Example A game asks for another deposit before you can collect your winnings.

Safer step Do not pay to release winnings or approve wallet access you do not understand.

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A fake recruiter offers easy work, then asks for crypto, personal documents, or money to finish tasks. A real-looking account balance may only be a picture on a website.

Example You must add your own money to complete the next work task and get paid.

Safer step Do not pay an employer to receive wages or unlock a job.

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Someone sells a share in computers that supposedly earn crypto. The computers, earnings, or business may not exist. This is often called a mining scam.

Example A website promises daily payments from mining equipment you cannot independently verify.

Safer step Check the business and how it earns money. A dashboard is not proof.

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A private chat group promotes an investment. The expert, assistant, and enthusiastic members may all be part of the same scam or automated accounts.

Example Everyone in a group chat posts screenshots of large profits and pressures you to join.

Safer step Do not rely on group praise. Check the people and offer elsewhere.

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A website or app pretends to buy and sell investments. It may show real market prices alongside invented balances and profits. Even a small early withdrawal does not prove it is genuine.

Example Your balance rises quickly, but you cannot withdraw without paying another fee.

Safer step Stop adding money. Check the platform through independent, trusted sources.

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A fake promotion offers free crypto. It may copy a public figure or company and ask you to send money, reveal secret wallet details, or approve wallet access. An airdrop is a token giveaway.

Example Send one coin now and receive two coins back.

Safer step Never send crypto to receive a promised larger giveaway.

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Someone gains access to a device or account without permission. They may use a stolen password, harmful software, or a trick that gets you to let them in.

Example A fake support agent asks to control your computer remotely.

Safer step Use different passwords for different accounts and keep your devices updated.

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An offer promises unusually high or steady profits with little risk. Some schemes pay early participants using money from new participants. That is called a Ponzi scheme.

Example A plan guarantees a large weekly return and pays a bonus for recruiting friends.

Safer step Do not treat early payouts or recruitment rewards as proof of a real investment.

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Someone uses your personal information to pretend to be you. They may open accounts, access existing accounts, or try to steal your money.

Example A fake trading site collects your identity document during a made-up account check.

Safer step Verify who is collecting your information before sending identity documents.

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Someone pretends to be a trusted company, government office, support worker, or public figure. A copied logo, familiar voice, or displayed phone number can be faked.

Example A caller claiming to be an investigator says to send crypto to protect your savings.

Safer step Contact the organization yourself through a source you already trust.

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These technical terms describe ways people may earn rewards by making crypto available to a service. In a scam, the service or rewards are fake, or wallet permissions are used to steal funds.

Example A service promises daily interest, then asks you to connect and approve your wallet.

Safer step Do not approve access unless you understand what can be taken and by whom.

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Harmful software locks your files or systems. Criminals demand payment to unlock them and may threaten to publish stolen information. Paying does not guarantee that access or privacy will be restored.

Example A message on your computer demands crypto to release your photos and documents.

Safer step Stop using the affected device for sensitive tasks and get trusted technical help.

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Someone offers to recover money you already lost. They may claim to be an investigator, lawyer, or specialist and demand a fee or secret wallet information. Recovery is not guaranteed.

Example A stranger says they found your stolen crypto but need a tax payment first.

Safer step Do not pay an unexpected recovery offer or reveal your wallet recovery words.

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A person builds a friendship, romantic relationship, or business connection, then steers you toward a fake investment. This is sometimes called pig butchering. The trust-building can last weeks or months.

Example An online friend offers to teach you to invest using a platform they chose.

Safer step Keep investment decisions separate from pressure by someone you have only met online.

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A person uses a false identity or story to gain your affection or trust. They then ask for money, crypto, private images, or account access. Not all such scams involve investing.

Example An online partner repeatedly needs money for emergencies but avoids meeting you.

Safer step Pause before sending money. Discuss the request with someone you trust.

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The people behind a crypto project attract buyers, then take funds or withdraw support in a way that leaves others with large losses. A price drop alone does not prove a rug pull.

Example Promoters collect money for a new token, then disappear with project funds.

Safer step Do not rely on online excitement. Check who controls the project and its funds.

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Someone sells tips that supposedly tell you exactly when to buy or sell. Claims of secret knowledge, perfect accuracy, or guaranteed results may be false.

Example A paid group guarantees winning trades on its chosen trading app.

Safer step Treat guaranteed winning tips as a warning, especially when tied to one platform.

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Someone claims your device or wallet has a serious problem. They may use a pop-up, message, or call to sell fake help or steal access and money.

Example A pop-up tells you to call a support number and pay in crypto for urgent repairs.

Safer step Do not call the pop-up number. Contact support through the official app or website.

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A scam site or app tricks you into approving a transfer or giving permission to take crypto from your wallet. The screen may call it a harmless check, login, or reward claim.

Example You approve a wallet request to claim free tokens, then funds leave your wallet.

Safer step Connecting or approving can carry risks. Never enter recovery words into an unexpected site.

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