Is the Cryptocurrency Investment Scam real or a scam?

Q: Is the Cryptocurrency Investment Scam real or a scam?

This is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Cryptocurrency Investment Scam: Is It a Scam?

Very High Prevalence Type: Investment Impersonates: Cryptocurrency exchanges and investments

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Cryptocurrency scams stole over $5.6 billion in 2023. "Pig butchering" scams, where victims are groomed before being defrauded, have become especially devastating, with average losses of $178,000.

How This Scam Works

Crypto scams take several forms:

**Pig Butchering (most common):**
1. Scammer contacts you via text, dating app, or social media
2. They build a friendship or romantic relationship
3. They mention their crypto trading success
4. They guide you to invest in a fake platform
5. You see fake "returns" and invest more
6. When you try to withdraw, you can't

**Fake Exchange/Platform:**
1. Professional-looking website promises high returns
2. You deposit cryptocurrency
3. The site shows fake gains
4. Withdrawal requires "fees" or "taxes" (more money)
5. Eventually the site disappears

**Celebrity Endorsement:**
1. Fake posts show celebrities promoting crypto
2. Links lead to scam investment sites

Red Flags to Watch For

Guaranteed returns - No investment is guaranteed
Pressure to invest quickly
Unsolicited investment advice from strangers
Celebrity endorsements on social media
Requests to move to WhatsApp or Telegram
Unregistered platforms - Check SEC and FINRA
Can't withdraw without paying more
Returns too good to be true (20%+ monthly)

Example Scam Messages

Hey! I got your number by mistake but you seem nice. I'm an investor and crypto trader... I've been using this trading platform and making 15% weekly returns. I can show you how if you're interested. Exclusive opportunity: Elon Musk is giving away Bitcoin! Send 0.1 BTC and receive 1 BTC back! Your investment has grown to $45,000! To withdraw, you'll need to pay a 10% tax fee.

What to Do If You Received This

Never invest based on unsolicited advice
Research any platform - check SEC.gov and FINRA BrokerCheck
Be suspicious of guaranteed returns
Don't trust celebrity endorsements on social media
Talk to a licensed financial advisor

What to Do If You Fell For It

Stop sending money immediately
Don't pay "withdrawal fees" - this is more theft
Document everything - screenshots, addresses, communications
Report to FBI IC3
Report to FTC
Contact a lawyer about recovery options
Be wary of recovery scammers who target victims

How to Report This Scam

FBI IC3 - ic3.gov
FTC - reportfraud.ftc.gov
SEC - sec.gov/tcr
CFTC - cftc.gov/complaint

Last updated: January 13, 2026