At first, it always seems like blockchain is a bastion of justice, and bitcoin is a digital ark. But crypto scams shatter illusions without warning. It doesn’t make noise like a banking crisis, doesn’t bring down exchange walls like in 2008, but quietly infiltrates through Telegram, Discord, email, and personal wallets.
In 2024, the global volume of funds stolen through cryptocurrency schemes exceeded $9.9 billion. This is more than the GDP of some countries. Cryptocurrency fraud is growing exponentially, outpacing both token demand and supply. The reason lies in anonymity, global reach, and the absence of centralized control.

What is a cryptocurrency scam
A cryptocurrency scam is a deliberate deception scheme aimed at stealing digital assets or personal data. Fraudsters exploit weaknesses in knowledge, trust, and technologies. Forms vary from fake ICOs to phishing and “gifts” on social networks.
Unlike traditional scams, cryptocurrency scams disguise themselves as innovations. They latch onto hype, use flashy names, manipulate trust in blockchain technologies. The result is lost investments, hacked wallets, stolen tokens, and destroyed data.
Types of Fraud
The scale of cryptocurrency scams is hard to overestimate. Every year, scammers come up with new forms of deception, adapting them to current trends. This article covers specific varieties that have gained wide popularity.
Phishing
Phishing attacks are digital traps aimed at stealing logins, passwords, and private keys. Fraudsters create exact copies of popular exchange or wallet sites, send emails with fake links. Phishing exploits psychology: urgent notifications, bonuses, threats. Clicking on a link without verification is a potential data leak.
Example: In 2023, data of over 75,000 users was stolen through a fake MetaMask page. Losses amounted to around $24 million.
Giveaways and Fake Giveaways
One of the most popular scenarios is the promise of free tokens for a minor “identity verification” or fee payment. In return, there is emptiness. Cryptocurrency fraud in such “giveaways” is particularly popular on Twitter and YouTube. Fake Elon Musk profiles, promises of doubling transfers are classics.
ICO Scams
Fraudulent ICOs actively dominated the market in 2017–2019. Creators offered investments in “revolutionary projects,” collected millions in ETH, and disappeared. Cryptocurrency scams through ICOs are easily recognizable by exaggerated promises, lack of MVP, anonymous teams, and aggressive marketing.
Example: PlexCoin is one of the most famous scam projects. A Canadian startup promised a 1,354% profit. Those who invested $15 million never saw any profit or refunds.
Pyramids
Financial pyramids have transformed into a digital form. Tokens instead of money. “Blockchain gurus” instead of directors. Fake pyramid projects disguised as cryptocurrency investments: risks are hidden, benefits exaggerated.
BitConnect is a typical example. Organizers promised up to 40% monthly profit. The token price rose to $463, then crashed to zero within a day. Damage exceeded $3 billion.
Wallet and Exchange Hacks
Hacking is a direct path to deception in the blockchain environment. In 2022, hackers stole $615 million from the Ronin platform linked to Axie Infinity. The reason was compromised private keys. Exchanges and wallets remain vulnerable. Without two-factor authentication and cold storage, security drops to zero.
Scams here are not only in direct theft but also in selling “secure wallets” that steal data after installation.
Fake Apps and Websites
Cryptocurrency scams often penetrate through fake apps on Google Play and the App Store. These programs masquerade as known wallets, exchanges, or trading platforms.
In 2021, scammers created 168 fake versions of Coinbase, installed over 10,000 times. Damage amounted to around $1 million.
Social Engineering
Fraudsters establish contact, persuade, instill trust. The goal is access to wallets, data, tokens. They often use fake profiles of experts, analysts, traders. Cryptocurrency scams through social engineering target not devices but logical weaknesses.
How to Protect Yourself and Avoid Scammers’ Tricks
To avoid crypto scams, it’s essential not just to know the threats but to act preemptively. Errors in platform selection, carelessness with tokens, and trust in unverified sources often lead to losses. The level of protection directly depends on discipline and digital hygiene.
How to avoid crypto scams:

- Verify websites and apps. Use only official sources. Check domains and SSL certificates.
- Store tokens in cold wallets. Hardware devices reduce the risk of hacking significantly.
- Analyze projects. Study the team, look at GitHub, check the whitepaper and code audits.
- Disable automatic transactions. Many hacks occur through invisible permissions in smart contracts.
- Use two-factor authentication. Enhances security for exchange and wallet access.
- Filter information. Do not trust “experts” on Telegram and Discord. Verify data from multiple sources.
- Do not store large sums on exchanges. Any centralized platform remains a potential hacking point.
Information security is the foundation of survival in the digital environment. Security does not arise on its own: it is created by habits and knowledge.
Cryptocurrency Scams: Conclusions
Cryptocurrency scams remain a constant and serious threat to all market participants, especially those seeking quick profits without a deep understanding of risks. To effectively counter this threat, attentiveness and a critical approach to any information and offers are crucial. Only thorough knowledge of protection mechanisms, the ability to recognize signs of fraud, and continuous improvement of digital literacy will help you preserve your assets and avoid significant financial losses in this dynamic yet risky world.