The Crypto Library Every Fraud Survivor Needs

Scammers build deep emotional connections — sometimes over weeks or months — before introducing a 'lucrative investment opportunity.'

Typically initiated on dating apps, social media, or even WhatsApp. The scammer presents as successful, caring, and often foreign-based. Once emotional investment is high, they introduce a crypto trading platform they 'use personally.' Victims are shown impressive returns, encouraged to invest more, then blocked when they try to withdraw.

A sophisticated long-con combining romance fraud with fake investment platforms. Victims are 'fattened' over months before being 'slaughtered' — losing everything.

Originating in Southeast Asia, pig butchering operations are run by organized crime networks that often traffic their workers. Victims receive an initial 'wrong number' or coincidental message, which evolves into a friendship or romance. A fake crypto exchange with a polished interface shows impressive gains — real until you try to withdraw. Victims lose life savings, retirement funds, and borrowed money.

Developers launch a seemingly legitimate token, NFT collection, or DeFi protocol, attract investors, then disappear with the funds.

Often accompanied by a professional-looking website, a whitepaper, and social media hype. Founders may be anonymous or using fake identities. Once enough liquidity is deposited, developers execute a contract function that drains the pool and transfers funds to their own wallet. Sometimes staged over multiple steps to avoid early detection.

Fake emails, websites, and messages that impersonate legitimate exchanges, wallets, or official services — designed to steal your login credentials or private keys.

Phishing URLs often differ from legitimate ones by a single character (e.g., coinbàse.com). Attackers send urgent messages about account suspension, unusual activity, or free token claims. The victim logs in or enters their seed phrase on the fake site, and the attacker immediately drains their wallet. Hardware wallet users are also targeted through fake device setup instructions.

Polished, professional-looking trading platforms that accept crypto deposits but block all withdrawal attempts, often citing invented 'tax fees' or 'verification requirements.'

These platforms are clones of legitimate exchanges with realistic charts, transaction histories, and customer support. Victims are often directed there by a trusted contact (who is also a victim or a scammer). Withdrawal attempts trigger demands for additional 'taxes,' 'insurance fees,' or 'activation payments' — all stolen. The platform eventually disappears entirely.

Criminals specifically target known fraud victims, posing as blockchain investigators or legal firms promising guaranteed fund recovery — for an upfront fee.

Scammer lists are sold on dark web markets. Recovery scam operators contact victims through email, social media, or even inside legitimate victim support forums. They produce convincing-looking 'evidence' that funds have been traced and can be recovered. After receiving payment, they either disappear or demand additional fees. No legitimate recovery service can guarantee results or asks for payment before delivering them.