Hi,
the crypto scene is full of users trying to scam you out of your hard earned life savings. If you use your brain and a little common sense, very little can happen to you. Still, as most people (me included) do make some mistakes in life, I would like to share this compiled list of scams with you to raise awareness and prevent people from getting scammed easily. As usual in life, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Fake Wallet Scams:
Fake wallet scams rob the funds sent to the addresses. This can happen in both web-wallet and mobile app wallets downloaded from iTunes or Google Play Store.
Fake ICO's:
Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) can be legitimate projects. However, 80% of ICOs have turned to be scams in which high returns are promised.
Fake Exchanges:
Cryptocurrency Exchanges that appear out of nowhere and after being active for a few months time, they mysteriously vanish with the funds.
Social Media Scams:
Facebook Groups and Twitter Accounts with misleading information about giveaways and potential cryptocurrency ponzi schemes.
Cloud Based Mining Scams:
Cloud-based cryptocurrency mining scams usually ask for people to agree to sign contracts and invest in Bitcoin mining data-centers. It is quite hard to attest these projects' legitimacy.
Malware:
Given the number of different software programs needed to interact with the blockchain exosystem, it is of utmost importance to assure the legitimacy of our sources. The chances of running into malicious software is high.
Cloned Websites:
Websites that have been entirely cloned to be used as decoy and steal cryptocurrencies and users' private information. Differences in these sites can be as subtle as 'm' instead of 'n'. Always check for HTTPS.
Ponzi, Pyramid & Multi-Level:
Ponzi schemes generate revenue by making the newer investors pay for the compromises taken with the older investors. Pyramid or multi-level marketing schemes are often used in this regard.
Email Scams:
E-mails with fake information. These campaigns are used to collect private data from users. These are known as "phishing".
Pumps & Dumps:
Pumps and dumps are groups that manipulate the market with fake news or high amounts of volume to artificially increase an asset's price. Usually, people unwillingly fall for this.
Fake Support Team:
Another type of phishing campaign. These groups pretend to be the support team of a company in order to access private and sensitive information, like wallet password or private keys.
Have you experienced some frauds in the crypto-scene? Is there anything to add or change in this thread? And most important, how can we protect other beginners from these harms in the future?