Crypto Scam: How to Spot, Avoid, and Recover from Crypto Fraud
When you hear crypto scam, a deceptive scheme designed to steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting users. Also known as cryptocurrency fraud, it’s one of the most common reasons people lose money in digital assets. Unlike market losses, scams are intentional tricks—designed to look real, feel urgent, and exploit trust. You’re not alone if you’ve seen a "free POTS airdrop" or a "verified DOGS token giveaway" that turned out to be fake. These aren’t rare mistakes. They’re the norm.
Most airdrop scams, fake token distributions that trick users into connecting wallets or paying fees. Also known as crypto giveaway fraud, they often use big names like CoinMarketCap or Hacken to seem legit. Look at the HAI token claims—there’s no official airdrop. Yet people still send funds, thinking they’re getting free tokens. The same goes for SafeLaunch, Moonpot, and 1MIL. These aren’t rumors. They’re documented scams, and SwapStats has called them out before they even hit Twitter. Then there’s the fake exchange, a platform that looks real but vanishes after users deposit crypto. Also known as rug pull exchange, it’s how LGO Markets and Instant Bitex ended: acquired, then shut down after draining user funds. You don’t need to be a pro to fall for this. Even experienced traders get fooled by polished websites and fake testimonials.
Here’s the truth: if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Free tokens? Instant returns? Verified links from "official" accounts? All red flags. Real projects don’t ask you to send crypto to claim rewards. They don’t pressure you with countdown timers. And they never use Telegram bots to collect your seed phrase. The token scam, a fraudulent cryptocurrency with no real use, team, or roadmap, created solely to pump and dump. Also known as meme coin fraud, it’s behind Golden Dog and Cheelee’s wild price swings—no utility, no future, just hype. These aren’t investments. They’re traps.
What you’ll find below isn’t just a list of past scams. It’s a practical archive of real cases—LGO, Instant Bitex, Hacken, Moonpot, SafeLaunch—each broken down so you know exactly how the scam worked, who was behind it, and how to avoid the same mistake. You’ll see how exchanges vanish, how fake airdrops mimic real ones, and how even trusted platforms can become targets. No theory. No fluff. Just facts from people who’ve been burned—and learned the hard way. If you’re holding crypto, you need to know this. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today.
