Crypto Fraud: Spot Scams and Keep Your Money Safe

When navigating crypto fraud, the umbrella term for dishonest schemes that steal or cheat crypto users. Also known as cryptocurrency fraud, it covers a wide range of tricks.

One of the most common flavors is a rug pull, a project that disappears after raising funds from investors. These are also called exit scams. Another frequent bite is a phishing scam, a fake login page or message that harvests private keys, often referred to as crypto phishing. Crypto fraud also includes DeFi fraud, manipulated yield farms, fake token swaps or compromised smart contracts, sometimes labeled DeFi scam. The rise of fake airdrops adds another layer, where scammers mimic legitimate token drops to lure users into sharing wallet addresses. Together these pieces illustrate that crypto fraud encompasses rug pulls, phishing scams, and DeFi fraud, and it influences the entire ecosystem by eroding trust and draining capital.

How to Detect and Avoid Crypto Fraud

Detecting crypto fraud requires real‑time alerts and on‑chain analytics. Tools that monitor contract creation, sudden token transfers, or abnormal trading volume can flag a potential rug pull before the exit. Phishing scams often use similar branding to official platforms, so checking URL authenticity and enabling two‑factor authentication are essential. DeFi fraud detection leans on smart‑contract audits and community reviews; a lack of verified source code is a red flag. Airdrop scams can be spotted by asking three questions: Is the project verified? Does it ask for private keys? Is the reward unusually high? Answering no to any of these usually means you’re looking at a scam. By combining alert services, manual verification steps, and a habit of questioning too‑good‑to‑be‑true offers, you build a layered defense that reduces exposure to crypto fraud.

Below you’ll find a curated list of articles that dive deeper into each of these threats. From detailed explanations of rug pulls to step‑by‑step guides on spotting phishing attempts, the collection gives you practical insights and actionable tips. Use the knowledge here to stay ahead of scammers and protect your digital assets.