Scam Overview
Investment & Crypto Fraud
Promises of guaranteed returns or insider opportunities that funnel money into fake funds or wallets.
Annual Loss
$4.6B globally in 2024
Primary Targets
New investors, retirees, professionals interested in crypto or side income
Objective
Steal retirement savings, crypto holdings, or broker account credentials
Key Red Flags
- Guaranteed returns with zero risk
- Pressure to move funds to new “secure” wallets or brokerages
- Unlicensed advisors or platforms without verifiable registration
Sub-types & Playbooks
Common variations and tactics
01
Ponzi / Pyramid Schemes
Returns paid from new investor deposits rather than real profits.
02
Fake Trading Platforms
Websites that simulate gains until large deposits are made, then lock accounts.
03
Celebrity Impersonations
Scammers clone social media profiles of public figures to sell fake crypto tokens.
Insights & Stats
Largest Single Loss
$2.1M reported to FBI IC3
Typical Hook
Social media investment guru DMs
Conversion Rate
7% of approached targets transfer funds