Well you are correct with that. I have a few coins with scrypt.cc, I just got so excited and wanted to try out. And it is just after that I find out that they are a bit shady. Haven't tried to withdraw yet, because it is just fun looking at your few GHz to be rewarding for some bits. Though the value since I bought already doubled, and I can encash anytime.
Safest way to go is Hashnest, not the hardware but go to the market and try to invest in the trading. Basing on the estimated calculation on the pricing, your capital will be back fully around 6-8months conservatively.