Scam type
Crypto Investment Scams
Schemes that promise unrealistic cryptocurrency returns and then block withdrawals or demand further payments.
Warning signs
- • Guaranteed or fixed daily returns
- • Pressure to deposit quickly or before a deadline
- • Withdrawals blocked behind new fees
- • Screenshots of profit used as proof
- • Requests to move the conversation to a private messaging app
Tactics used
- • Cloned or lookalike trading websites
- • Fake dashboards showing fabricated balances
- • 'Account manager' who coaches the victim through deposits
- • Group chats containing fake investors posting profits
If it happened to you
- • Stop making any further payments, including 'release fees'.
- • Preserve screenshots, transaction hashes, wallet addresses and chat history.
- • Report the incident to your bank or exchange and to your local authorities.
- • Document the incident on ScamGuard Pro so identifiers can be indexed.
What this scam is
A crypto investment scam persuades someone to deposit cryptocurrency or money into a platform, wallet or 'managed account' that appears to generate returns. The displayed balance is controlled by the operator, and withdrawals are eventually blocked or made conditional on new payments.
How it typically unfolds
- Contact usually begins on social media, a messaging app, a dating app or through an advertisement.
- A small initial deposit is encouraged and an early withdrawal is sometimes allowed to build confidence.
- Displayed profits grow quickly, encouraging larger deposits, loans or the sale of other assets.
- When a withdrawal is requested, fees, taxes, verification charges or 'liquidity' payments are demanded.
Documenting the incident
Before you block anyone, export the conversation and capture profile links, websites, wallet addresses and every payment reference. Then submit a report so the identifiers can be matched against other cases.
ScamGuard Pro provides scam reporting, information and recovery-support services. Recovery outcomes depend on the circumstances of each case and cannot be guaranteed. Anyone promising guaranteed recovery is running a second scam.