Crypto can be the investment or simply the payment method
A scammer may sell a fake cryptocurrency investment, direct you to a fraudulent trading platform, impersonate a business or government agency and demand crypto, or ask you to move assets to a new wallet for “protection.”
Fake platforms and withdrawal fees
A dashboard can show profits without any real investment activity behind it. The scam often becomes obvious only when withdrawal is blocked unless you pay taxes, liquidity charges, verification fees or another deposit.
Wallet addresses do not prove identity
A blockchain record can show that a transaction happened, but the wallet address alone does not establish who controls it. Screenshots, explorer links and “on-chain certificates” should not be treated as proof that a platform or adviser is legitimate.
Recovery claims deserve extra scrutiny
After a crypto loss, unsolicited people may claim they can trace, hack back or recover the funds for an upfront fee. Some recovery attempts are legitimate investigations; many are simply a second scam. A guarantee of recovery is not credible.
Sources and references
These sources support the factual guidance and analysis on this page. For reporting, legal, financial or provider-specific procedures, follow the linked organization’s current instructions.
- What To Know About Cryptocurrency and ScamsU.S. Federal Trade Commission
- Investment ScamsU.S. Federal Trade Commission
- Refund and Recovery ScamsU.S. Federal Trade Commission