The Threat Landscape
Cryptocurrency scams cost victims over $5.6 billion in 2024 according to FBI reports. The methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often involving weeks of social engineering before any money is requested.
1. Pig Butchering (Sha Zhu Pan)
This is the most common and damaging scam type we see on Scamora. Victims are cultivated over weeks or months via dating apps or messaging platforms. The scammer builds a romantic or friendly relationship before introducing a "lucrative investment opportunity."
The tell: You are always shown profits. You can even make small withdrawals to build trust. Then when you invest big, the platform disappears or demands impossible fees.
2. Fake Exchange Platforms
Professional-looking crypto exchange websites that accept deposits but never allow withdrawals. They often clone the UI of legitimate exchanges like Coinbase or Binance.
3. Rug Pulls
Token creators build hype, attract investment, then drain liquidity and disappear. Common with new tokens on decentralized exchanges.
4. Romance Scams with Crypto
Evolving from classic romance scams, these now almost always end with a request to invest in crypto together.
5. Impersonation Scams
Fake customer support from real exchanges contacting you about a security issue with your account. Always go directly to the official website — never click links in messages.
How Scamora Helps
Search any wallet address, domain, or contact method on Scamora before engaging. Our community has flagged thousands of scam vectors.