Cryptocurrency Scam Investigations by the Anti-Fraud Centre Romance Scam Investigations by the Anti-Fraud Centre

Types of Cryptocurrency Scams We Struggle With

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  Phishing Scams

  Phishing scams involve fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and private keys, by impersonating legitimate entities through fake websites, emails, or messages.

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  Ponzi Schemes

  Ponzi schemes promise high returns on investment by using funds from new investors to pay returns to earlier investors. However, they are unsustainable and eventually collapse, leaving investors with significant losses.

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  Fake ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings)

  Fake ICOs lure investors by offering new cryptocurrency tokens at discounted prices or promising high returns. However, these offerings are often fraudulent, with no actual product or intention to deliver on promises.

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  Crypto Pump and Dump Schemes

  Pump and dump schemes involve artificially inflating the price of a cryptocurrency through misleading information or manipulative trading tactics, only to sell off the inflated assets at a profit, leaving other investors with losses.

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  Fake Exchanges and Wallets

  Fraudulent exchanges and wallets deceive users by posing as legitimate platforms to buy, sell, or store cryptocurrencies. However, these fake services often result in the loss of funds or theft of private keys.

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  Social Media Scams

  Social media scams involve fraudulent schemes promoted through social media platforms, such as fake giveaways, impersonation of celebrities or influencers, and deceptive investment opportunities.

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  Mining Scams

  Mining scams promise high returns on investment by offering cloud mining contracts or investment opportunities in mining operations. However, many of these schemes are fraudulent and fail to deliver the promised returns.

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  Exit Scams

  Exit scams occur when cryptocurrency projects or platforms abruptly shut down or disappear, taking investors' funds with them. These scams often involve founders or operators disappearing with users' funds, leaving behind no trace of their whereabouts.

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  Investment Fraud

  Investment fraud involves deceptive practices to induce individuals to invest in fake or nonexistent cryptocurrency projects, promising high returns that never materialize.