Crypto and investment scams: how to spot them

Crypto scams promise high or guaranteed returns, fake giveaways or 'support' help, and push you to send coins or connect your wallet to a malicious site.

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Warning signs

Guaranteed or very high returns, or 'double your coins'.
An 'advisor' who contacted you first, often on WhatsApp, Telegram or a dating app.
A trading site that shows big profits but blocks withdrawals unless you pay a 'fee' or 'tax'.
Celebrity giveaways and fake 'support agents' asking for your seed phrase. No legitimate service ever needs it.
A wallet address or website you are pressured to use urgently.

What to do

Never share your seed phrase or private keys.
Do not send crypto to a person or site you cannot verify independently.
Search the platform's name together with 'scam' and check whether your financial regulator lists it as unlicensed.
Check the wallet address or link in HackFraud, which also compares it with earlier reports.

If you already clicked or paid

Crypto transfers are usually irreversible, so act quickly: contact the exchange you used and report the receiving address.
If you connected a wallet to a suspicious site, revoke its permissions and move funds to a new wallet.
Report to the police and your financial regulator, and beware of 'recovery' services, which are a common second scam.

Report it: in Greece, contact the Cyber Crime Division (cyber.gr, tel. 11188). Elsewhere, contact your local police and your bank.

Frequently asked questions

Can stolen crypto be recovered?

Rarely. Report quickly to the exchange and the police, and avoid 'recovery agents' who ask for upfront fees.

How do I check a wallet address?

Choose Wallet in HackFraud and paste the address. We show activity and earlier scam reports where available.

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Last updated: 2026-10-18. Verified by many HackFraud checks. If in doubt, confirm through the organisation's official website or phone number.