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Crypto Scam Library — Red Flags & How to Stay Safe

According to the FTC, consumers lost over $1 billion to crypto scams in a single year. Learn to recognize the most common fraud patterns, spot red flags early, and protect yourself and others.

Think you're being scammed right now?

Stop all communication and payments immediately. Do not send any more funds. Do not share your seed phrase or private keys with anyone.

Report to FTCReport to FBI IC3

Browse by category

Investment(2)
Social Engineering(3)
Technical(1)
Employment(1)
Romance(1)

Scam Patterns

Critical Severity
Investment

Fake Investment Platform

Fraudulent websites or apps that pose as legitimate crypto investment platforms, promising guaranteed high returns with little or no risk. Victims deposit funds that they can never withdraw.

Very CommonLearn more
Critical Severity
Romance

Romance / Pig Butchering Scam

Scammers build a fake romantic or close personal relationship over weeks or months, then gradually steer the victim toward a fraudulent crypto investment. Also known as 'pig butchering' (sha zhu pan).

Very CommonLearn more
High Severity
Employment

Fake Crypto Job Scam

Fraudulent job postings that require applicants to pay crypto for training, equipment, or account setup. The job does not exist, and the payment goes directly to scammers.

Very CommonLearn more
Critical Severity
Technical

Phishing Wallet & Exchange Scam

Fake websites, emails, or apps that impersonate legitimate crypto wallets and exchanges to steal login credentials, seed phrases, or private keys.

Very CommonLearn more
High Severity
Social Engineering

Fake Customer Support Scam

Scammers impersonate customer support agents from wallets, exchanges, or DeFi protocols on social media, Discord, Telegram, or through fake support websites.

Very CommonLearn more
High Severity
Social Engineering

Fake Giveaway & Airdrop Scam

Fraudulent promotions claiming to offer free crypto, NFTs, or airdrops — typically requiring victims to send crypto first or connect their wallet to a malicious contract.

Very CommonLearn more
Critical Severity
Social Engineering

Fake Wallet Recovery Scam

Scammers who target people who have already lost crypto by offering fake recovery or refund services — resulting in a second victimization.

CommonLearn more
High Severity
Investment

Pump and Dump / Signal Seller Scheme

Coordinated schemes where promoters hype a low-value token to inflate its price, then sell their holdings at the peak, leaving later buyers with worthless tokens.

Very CommonLearn more

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do people lose to crypto scams each year?+
According to the FTC, consumers reported losing over $1 billion to crypto scams in a single year, and the true figure is likely much higher since many losses go unreported. Crypto is the most-reported payment method for fraud due to the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions.
Can stolen crypto be recovered?+
In most cases, stolen crypto is extremely difficult to recover. Blockchain transactions are irreversible by design, and scammers typically move funds through mixers and multiple wallets quickly. Law enforcement has had some success in large-scale cases, but individual recovery is rare. Be very wary of anyone claiming they can recover your funds for a fee — this is often a secondary scam.
What is the best way to protect myself from crypto scams?+
Never share your seed phrase or private keys with anyone. Use hardware wallets for significant holdings. Verify URLs and only download wallet apps from official sources. Be skeptical of guaranteed returns, unsolicited DMs, and urgency tactics. Enable two-factor authentication on all exchange accounts. Take time to research before investing — legitimate opportunities don't disappear overnight.
How do I report a crypto scam?+
In the US, report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. If the scam involves investments, also report to the SEC at sec.gov/tcr. File a police report with local law enforcement as well. Outside the US, contact your national financial regulator and cybercrime reporting center.
Are all crypto investments scams?+
No. Cryptocurrency is a legitimate technology used by millions of people. However, the space attracts scammers because transactions are irreversible, pseudonymous, and global. The key is to distinguish legitimate projects and regulated exchanges from fraudulent schemes. Legitimate investments never guarantee returns, never ask for your seed phrase, and are transparent about risks.

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This scam library is for educational awareness only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. If you have been the victim of a scam, contact law enforcement and consider consulting a licensed attorney. Information is based on publicly available reports and may not cover every variation of these scams.