What is a Scam? 8 Most Effective Ways for Beginners to Avoid Scams

Stepping into the world of crypto, besides encountering quality projects with growth potential, you also inevitably face a reality that cannot be avoided: the existence of scam projects. The primary purpose of these projects is to lure investors to pour money in, after which the development team will abscond with the investors’ funds. Read the article below from AZC.News to understand what scams are and how to prevent them!

What is a Scam?

Scam is a term used to describe fraudulent actions, deceiving others to obtain money, personal information, or assets. There are various types of scams, including phone scams, email scams, phishing websites, or even direct transactions. Scams are often built to target the trust of others and can cause significant losses to the victims.

In the Crypto market, scams often refer to fraudulent activities related to coins. Scam coins may also be associated with fake exchanges, where users buy and sell cryptocurrencies but do not receive actual funds or cannot withdraw funds from their accounts after completing transactions. Scam coins pose a threat to the Crypto community, eroding trust and causing financial losses to those affected.

Common Scam Types in Crypto

Hack

Hack scams in the crypto world may include attacks on exchanges, seizing control of users’ accounts, and stealing cryptocurrencies. Attackers may also attempt to hack users’ wallets, using malware to steal personal information or cryptocurrencies.

Airdrop Scams

Airdrop scams are a common form of deception in the cryptocurrency community. Scammers create fake airdrops from promising projects and advertise them through social media channels or email, promising free tokens or high-value rewards. However, when users participate, they may have to provide personal information or even transfer cryptocurrencies to receive the rewards.

ICO Scams

In this strategy, scammers create fake ICO projects and make promises about potential or promising projects within the cryptocurrency community. They often create attractive websites or advertising materials, promising high profits or attractive investment opportunities for investors.

Related: What is an ICO? Guide to Participating Effectively

Phishing Attack

Phishing attacks in the crypto world are a form of network attack designed to deceive users and take control or steal their personal information or cryptocurrencies. In phishing attacks, attackers typically use means such as email, online messaging, fake websites, or social media to make victims believe they are communicating with a trustworthy entity, such as a cryptocurrency exchange or an ICO project.

Ponzi Scheme

The Ponzi scheme in cryptocurrencies is a form of fraud, named after Charles Ponzi in the 1920s. In this scheme, fraudsters promise high profits to investors by paying from new money instead of from actual profits. Often through investment projects or fixed interest systems, investors are promised stable or large profits in a short period.

Rug Pull

Rug pull is a common phenomenon in the world of cryptocurrencies, where projects or cryptocurrency transactions withdraw all or a significant portion of funds or liquidity without prior notice. This often happens after the project has attracted a large number of users or investors and creates a sense of security for them.

How to Recognize a Scam Project

• Unrealistically High Profit Promises: If a cryptocurrency project promises huge profits, far beyond the market or too attractive, it could be a sign of a scam.
• Lack of Information about the Development Team: A cryptocurrency project with little or no information about the development team or the people behind it could be a red flag.
• Fraudulent Advertising Methods: If a cryptocurrency project uses fraudulent or spam advertising campaigns to attract investors, it could be a sign of a scam.
• Lack of Transparency: Projects that do not disclose information about token distribution or do not allow verification on the blockchain could be suspect.
• Lack of Technology or Solutions Information: If a project does not provide detailed information about the technology or solution they are developing, it could be a warning sign.

8 Ways to Avoid Scams

1. Thorough Research on the Project: Never invest in a coin you don’t understand. Read the project’s whitepaper to understand its goals, technology, and development plans. Check if the project has a supportive and developing community.
2. Check the Development Team: The development team is the foundation of a successful project. Learn about the experience and work history of each member of the team. Consider their transparency and openness in sharing information about the project.
3. Check the Team and Community Support: An active community can be a positive sign for the project’s development. Join cryptocurrency forums and social media channels to learn opinions and feedback from the community.
4. Detect Warning Signs: Be cautious with cryptocurrency projects that promise unrealistically high profits or are overly attractive. Check if the project has a real product or application and consider the feasibility of the project’s goals.
5. Use Reliable Sources of Information: Don’t rely on news and information from a single source. Use reputable cryptocurrency news websites and join online communities to get an overall view and make accurate assessments. You can visit reliable information sites like CoinMarketCap to search for official links of each project.
6. Be Cautious with ICOs and IDOs: Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) and Initial DEX Offerings (IDO) can be good investment opportunities, but they are also significant risks. Check the terms and conditions of the ICO or IDO before investing, and don’t allocate a large portion of your investment capital to new projects.
7. Check the Exchange: Ensure that the coin is listed on reputable and influential exchanges. Reputable exchanges usually have a careful selection process for listing coins.
8. Keep Personal Information Safe: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information with anyone, especially with non-transparent or unidentified projects. Be careful and keep your personal information safe.

Some Famous Scam Coins

• Bitconnect (BCC): Bitconnect is considered one of the most famous scam coins in cryptocurrency history. The project promised high profits through investment in a lending and daily interest system. However, after a series of criticisms and suspicions, the Bitconnect system collapsed in 2018, causing investors to lose millions of dollars.
• OneCoin: OneCoin was advertised as a promising cryptocurrency and considered the “new Bitcoin.” However, this project has been considered a fraudulent scheme by many countries and is one of the largest scams in cryptocurrency history.
• LoopX: LoopX was an ICO project advertised as an automated trading system with high profits. This project attracted millions of dollars from investors before disappearing in 2018. Investors lost all their money, and there was no information about the development team or the actual technology of the project.

Conclusion

Above is all the information about what scams are and how to prevent being scammed when stepping into the virtual financial path. Scam coins pose a significant challenge to investors in the cryptocurrency market, but it is not an insurmountable issue. By grasping knowledge and being vigilant, you can protect your investment from these threats. Most importantly, always prioritize safety and transparency when investing in any project. Always research thoroughly, check, and verify the accuracy of the information.