This is not guaranteed but maybe in some point it may help you atleast to reduce the possibility on getting scammed by ICO's, the list below are my personal criteria how I choose Project to invest with using bitcoin or other cryptocurrency:
- Check the Background of the team (If the team didn't give info about each member of the team such as name previous projects, background, etc. There's a possibility that they will just run away with your money if they didn't give info's about their team.)
- Read their whitepaper and look if it's really worth to invest with, their concept, etc. (This is important to know what the project is all about.)
- Check the Social media accounts, If you find it very interesting presentable. (Join their telegram group in order to be updated.)
- Check the Projects professionalism (How they handle users, control frauds, etc.)
- Follow their Roadmap and other technical details and see if they meet it on time.
- Look for the projects community and see if the community is active.
- Look for special proof and validation.
- Do your own research about the project such as review about the projects or you can also check the projects ANN thread to see comments who's agree/disagree or the communities idea about the project because ANN threads is like an open forum where you can ask, give insights, etc.
This topic related articles may help you feel free to check:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/306563
http://strategiccoin.com/3-ways-to-identify-an-ico-scam/
https://cryptona.co/valuable-tips-to-avoid-a-ico-scam/
https://blockgeeks.com/how-not-to-be-scammed-by-a-initial-coin-offering/
https://medium.com/@99cryptoman/how-to-avoid-scammers-when-investing-in-ico-489cfadcb0f6
https://www.cryptocompare.com/coins/guides/how-to-avoid-scam-icos/
Edit:
I've added this article links about different scams and how did they work so you have idea what are the different scams strategies so you can easily spot and avoid them:
https://steemit.com/cryptocurrency/@veeev/scamsintheworldofcryptocurrency-rzd5dwo060
https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/07/6-red-flags-of-an-ico-scam/
https://blockonomi.com/exit-scam/
https://coinsutra.com/cryptocurrency-scams/
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/common-cryptocurrency-scams/
https://themerkle.com/top-3-types-of-bitcoin-scams/
https://www.finder.com/ph/bitcoin-scams
NOTE: Investment is one of the riskiest way to earn money. Invest only what you can afford to lose, in investment there's only two possible outcome it's either you will earn or you will learn. Learn from your mistakes.
Just like what I've said this steps are my personal steps on choosing ICO/Projects in where I'm going to invest in. This may not help you but I hope you'll learn at least a little in my little sharing. Have great day every one, ciao.
PS. If you have something to share in order to avoid scam or any topic related feel free to share so everyone will learn from us.