30 Crypto Scams That Are Stealing Millions in 2025

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The rise of cryptocurrencies has undoubtedly transformed the financial landscape, offering an alternative to traditional banking systems and creating new investment opportunities. However, as the popularity of digital currencies continues to grow, so too does the number of malicious actors seeking to exploit unsuspecting investors. In 2025, crypto scams have evolved, becoming more sophisticated, diverse, and increasingly difficult to spot.

While blockchain technology and decentralized finance (DeFi) have provided transparency and security to the crypto space, they have also created opportunities for fraudsters to target individuals through various schemes. From fake ICOs to phishing scams, the tactics used by cybercriminals are constantly changing to stay ahead of security measures.

In this article, we will explore 30 crypto scams that are currently stealing millions from investors in 2025. These scams range from high-profile Ponzi schemes to subtle, deceptive tactics that can easily catch the unprepared off guard. Whether you’re a seasoned crypto enthusiast or a beginner, understanding these scams is crucial to protecting your assets and avoiding financial ruin.

1. Ponzi Schemes and High-Yield Investment Programs (HYIPs)

Ponzi schemes and HYIPs remain some of the most widespread crypto scams in 2025. These scams promise unrealistically high returns on investments, often in the form of new tokens or cryptocurrencies. Investors are attracted by the allure of fast, guaranteed profits but are eventually left with worthless assets as the scheme collapses.

How it works: New investors are encouraged to invest money into a platform that claims to offer lucrative returns. However, the platform does not generate any actual profits and instead uses the money from new investors to pay returns to earlier investors. Once new investment dries up, the scheme collapses, and the investors lose their money.

Notable examples in 2025:

• BitConnect 2.0
• Mining Platforms like “Cloud Mining World”

2. Phishing Attacks

Phishing is one of the most common and dangerous types of crypto scams. Fraudsters impersonate legitimate cryptocurrency exchanges, wallet services, or other trusted entities in order to steal users’ sensitive data such as private keys, passwords, and personal information.

How it works: Scammers send fraudulent emails, texts, or social media messages that appear to come from trusted sources. These messages often contain links that direct victims to fake websites designed to steal login credentials or private keys.

Notable examples in 2025:

• Fake emails claiming to be from major exchanges like Binance or Coinbase, requesting “urgent” account verification.

3. Fake Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Fake exchanges are becoming increasingly sophisticated in 2025. These platforms lure investors by offering low fees, high liquidity, and attractive user interfaces, only to steal their funds once deposits are made.

How it works: Fraudsters set up a website that mimics a legitimate crypto exchange, offering a platform to buy, sell, or trade digital assets. Once investors deposit their funds, the scammer takes the money and shuts down the exchange, leaving users with no recourse.

Notable examples in 2025:

• Fake exchanges that mimic well-known platforms like Kraken and Gemini.

4. Fake Wallets and Phishing Sites

Fake wallets are another form of crypto scam where hackers create counterfeit versions of popular cryptocurrency wallets. These fake wallets are designed to steal private keys and access digital assets.

How it works: Users are encouraged to download a wallet that promises high security and user-friendly features. Once downloaded, the wallet captures private keys, allowing scammers to drain the user’s funds.

Notable examples in 2025:

• Fraudulent apps on Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store that look like trustworthy wallets such as MetaMask or Trust Wallet.

5. ICO Scams (Initial Coin Offerings)

ICO scams involve fraudsters launching new cryptocurrencies or tokens and promising investors high returns. These projects often lack transparency, a solid technical foundation, or a clear use case, making them extremely risky investments.

How it works: Scammers promote new tokens or coins, often accompanied by an impressive website, flashy marketing campaigns, and inflated claims of the project’s future success. Once the ICO concludes, the project disappears, and the investors are left with worthless tokens.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “LunaX” – A fake token promising decentralized finance solutions but with no actual product or technology backing it.

6. Rug Pulls in DeFi Projects

Rug pulls remain rampant in decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, where developers withdraw liquidity from a project’s smart contract, leaving investors with worthless tokens. This type of scam often targets new or poorly understood DeFi platforms.

How it works: Fraudulent developers launch a DeFi token with promises of high returns and liquidity mining rewards. Once enough capital has been invested by users, the developers withdraw the liquidity from the project, causing the token to lose all value.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “DeFiX Network” – A popular but fake DeFi platform that promises high annual percentage yields (APY) and then shuts down once it reaches a critical mass of liquidity.

7. Pump and Dump Schemes

Pump and dump scams involve fraudsters artificially inflating the price of a cryptocurrency through coordinated buying, often using social media or messaging groups. Once the price is inflated, the scammers sell off their holdings (the “dump”), leaving new investors with devalued assets.

How it works: A group of individuals or organizations buys up a specific cryptocurrency or token, driving up the price. As the price increases, they create buzz and hype around the coin, encouraging other investors to buy in. After the price peaks, the scammers sell off their assets, causing the price to crash.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “LunarCoin” – A small altcoin that was promoted on social media, causing a spike in value before crashing.

8. Fake Crypto Jobs

Fraudsters have also resorted to creating fake job offers in the crypto industry as a means of gaining access to an individual’s personal and financial information. These scams can come in the form of work-from-home offers, data entry positions, or even high-paying executive roles in fake crypto companies.

How it works: A scammer posts a fake job listing for a cryptocurrency company. They ask for personal details or charge applicants a “fee” for onboarding, ultimately stealing their money or data.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “Blockchain Executive” job scam targeting professionals with promises of large salaries in exchange for personal details and a “training fee.”

9. Fake Airdrops

Airdrops are a popular method of distributing new tokens for free, but scammers have capitalized on this by creating fake airdrop campaigns designed to steal users’ private keys and funds.

How it works: Fraudsters create fake airdrop campaigns, often claiming that participants need to send cryptocurrency in order to qualify for a free token. After receiving the funds, the scammers disappear without distributing any tokens.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “BitcoinGold Airdrop” scam promising free Bitcoin Gold tokens in exchange for a “small fee.”

10. Social Media Scams

Social media platforms have become breeding grounds for crypto scams. Fraudulent accounts posing as celebrities or well-known crypto influencers promise investment opportunities, giveaways, or other incentives, only to steal funds from their followers.

How it works: A scammer impersonates a celebrity or influencer on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube, promoting a fake cryptocurrency investment opportunity or giveaway. When individuals send funds, the scammer disappears with the money.

Notable examples in 2025:

• Impersonating well-known crypto figures like Elon Musk or Vitalik Buterin on Twitter to promote fake giveaways.

11. Fake Staking Platforms

Crypto staking platforms allow users to earn rewards by holding and “staking” their coins. Scammers have created fake staking platforms that promise lucrative returns but eventually disappear with the funds.

How it works: Fraudulent staking platforms offer high returns for staking cryptocurrency. After receiving deposits, the scammer exits the platform, taking the funds with them.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “Stakemore.io” – A fake staking service offering returns of 200% annually but disappears after attracting significant investments.

12. Fake Crypto Charities

Fraudulent crypto charities are another growing issue in 2025. These scams involve creating fake charity projects that claim to raise funds for charitable causes but actually pocket the donations.

How it works: Scammers set up a fake charity and ask for crypto donations. They may promote a charitable cause or a high-profile project, but once the funds are raised, the scammers disappear.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “CryptoRelief” – A fake charity that promised to donate funds to COVID-19 relief efforts but instead took the donations for themselves.

13. Fake Crypto Investment Platforms

Investment platforms promising to trade cryptocurrency for you are also becoming more common in 2025. These platforms may look convincing, often offering a user-friendly interface, but they only exist to steal your funds.

How it works: Scammers create fake investment platforms that claim to provide automated trading services. Investors deposit funds, only to find their money is gone once they try to withdraw.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “TradeCoinPro” – A fake investment platform that promised 15% returns per week on crypto trades.

14. Fake Blockchain Games

Blockchain games, where players can earn cryptocurrency or tokens by playing, have become a popular way to attract investors. Scammers are now targeting players with fake blockchain-based games that promise rewards, only to steal personal data or funds.

How it works: Fraudulent blockchain games encourage users to invest in a game or buy tokens, only to discover that the game is non-existent, or the promised rewards are never delivered.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “CryptoBrawl” – A fake game promising players huge rewards for gameplay but ultimately delivers nothing.

15. Fake NFT Projects

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) have surged in popularity, and as with any high-demand market, fraudsters have found ways to exploit the hype. Fake NFT projects and marketplaces have surfaced, promising valuable tokens that turn out to be worthless.

How it works: Fraudsters create fake NFT projects, often using stolen artwork or plagiarized designs, and sell them at high prices. Once the NFTs are sold, the project disappears, and the investors are left with nothing.

Notable examples in 2025:

• “NFTArt.io” – A fake NFT marketplace that took money from investors before shutting down.

Crypto scams have become increasingly sophisticated and varied in 2025, affecting individuals across the globe. From Ponzi schemes to rug pulls and fake ICOs, the crypto space is rife with opportunities for fraudsters to exploit naive or unprepared investors.

The best defense against these scams is awareness. Always conduct thorough research before making any investments, be cautious of “too good to be true” offers, and remember that the crypto market is volatile and unpredictable. Staying informed and being vigilant are your best tools to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes and protect your hard-earned assets.

In the fast-evolving world of cryptocurrency, being aware of the scams that are currently thriving can help you stay one step ahead and ensure a safer investment journey in the crypto world.