You can't always be sure if a project scam or not. But I decided to make a list of steps every newbie should cross before investing a project
Step 1 - you need to visit a website. You need to make sure there is white paper, team, advisors and links to social networks (a project without this information can't be trusted);
Step 2 - you need to read a white paper carefully. Pay your attention to the idea, concept and realization;
Step 3 - check out all social networks and blogs. If the project is alive there should be regular updates;
Step 4 - you need to contact the team. The feedback is very important thing. If the team doesn't answer you it is a bad sign;
Step 5 - join this project community (telegram chat or btctalk tread). There should be 24/7 communication;
Step 6 - google information about the project. Read articles about the project, try to find team interview and events they recently visited. It is good if a company exists for a couple of years, has its history and generates revenue;
Step 7 - read information about advisors. If advisors have a good reputation and they have their successful projects.
I would like to congratulate you for the information and concepts shown in your topic, but despite following all these steps we know that we can come across a scam, there are sophisticated means that can fool everyone and even experienced investors. Particularly, by adding step 8- Flexibility in the informative readings, the security is almost perfect.