Why scammers target crypto
Crypto transactions can't be reversed. Once sent, the coins only come back if the recipient chooses to return them. That's why the care has to come before you hit send.
The most common scams
- Fake support: someone poses as a support agent (on Instagram, Telegram or by phone) and asks for your recovery phrase or for you to "validate your wallet" on a website.
- Promised returns: a "bot", "arbitrage" or "guaranteed investment" that pays a lot every month. High, guaranteed returns are the trademark of a Ponzi scheme.
- Cloned website or app: a copy of a well-known wallet, promoted through ads, that steals the words you type in.
- Swapped address: malware replaces the address you copied with a different one when you paste it. Always check the beginning and the end of the address.
- Fake giveaway (airdrop): tokens show up in your wallet with instructions to "claim" them on a website, which asks for permission to move your coins.
- Romance and friendship: someone builds your trust over weeks and then asks for money or points you to a "platform".
Simple rules
- Never share your recovery phrase or private key.
- Be suspicious of urgency and guaranteed profits.
- Only download apps from the official stores and through the link on the official website.
- Send a small test amount before sending a large amount to a new address.