What are crypto scams?
Crypto scams are fraudulent schemes that exploit the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies to deceive individuals and steal their money. Crypto scams can take many forms, with each scheme designed to deceive you in a different way. Some of the most common scams include:- Ponzi schemes: Scammers promise high returns on crypto investments but use money from new investors to pay earlier ones instead of generating real profits. Eventually, the scheme collapses when the scammer disappears with the funds.
- Phishing scams: Scammers create fake websites, emails, or messages mimicking trusted sources, such as banks or crypto platforms. Their goal is to steal your login credentials or private keys, giving them access to your assets.
- Romance scams: Scammers build online relationships to gain trust, then fabricate financial emergencies or ‘investment opportunities’ to persuade victims to send cryptocurrency.
- Impersonation scams: Scammers pose as government officials, celebrities, or tech support agents, tricking victims into making crypto payments or sharing sensitive information.
The first steps to take after being scammed
We know how distressing it can be to realise you’ve been scammed. And it’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed in the moment. But, if you can, it’s important to try and stay calm. The following steps can be crucial to recovering your funds.Save the information you have
If you've been scammed, you should save any information related to it. This includes:- Transaction IDs
- Wallet addresses
- Email communications
- Screenshots
- Any other relevant details you can gather