Crypto scams follow recognizable patterns that, once learned, are easy to spot before losing money.
1. Guaranteed returns — legitimate investments never guarantee specific returns, especially not unusually high ones. Any “guaranteed 20% monthly” pitch is a red flag regardless of how it is dressed up.
2. Urgency and pressure to act immediately, before you can research independently — manufactured urgency is a classic pressure tactic.
3. Requests to send crypto first to “verify” your wallet or “unlock” a withdrawal — legitimate platforms never require payment to release your own funds.
4. Unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be tech support, customer service, or even a romantic interest who eventually steers conversation toward an investment opportunity.
5. Pressure to move communication off the original platform to private messaging apps, away from a platform that might flag suspicious activity.