It's quite hard to identify scam exchange if they're not do stupid thing (
offer ponzi scheme, fake review/team or plagiarized content). According to many accused about scam exchange, I learn few way to identify a scam exchange :
1. Fake volume. (
example)
High trade volume in exchange doesn't mean the exchange is legit and safe, especially for new exchange. It very suspicious how a new exchange created on 2019 can beat Binance. Don't trust data from CMC, you should compare with this sites for a real volume
https://www.livecoinwatch.com/exchanges or
https://www.bti.live/exchanges/ 2. Contradicting content (
example)
When you read the exchange said was founded from 2015, don't really trust it... verify with
WHOIS data first. If the domain of that's exchange created on 2019 not 2015, then you should stay away.
3. Fake price or discount (
example)
Each exchange have different prices on same crypto (Bitcoin), maybe in binance is $8,701 coinbase $8,682, or okex $8,690. You can see only 0,2-0,5 % the difference of each exchange. If you find a exchange the price of Bitcoin is upnormal, or offering buy 1 bitcoin only pay 0,8 btc... than it's scam.
4. Ask for minimum deposit or KYC (
example)
Many scam exchange usually do this after you want to withdraw your funds. They will say to complete your KYC first or ask to deposit first to make you can
to withdraw.
I would suggest to use trusted and popular exchange only... such as binance or coinbase, it's risky to use brand new or unknown exchange. Also don't forget to double check the right url to prevent from phishing sites.
CMIIW