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Thousands of new investors enter the crypto markets every week, spurred on by promises of huge returns for a minimal initial investment. Sadly, few people make big money from crypto. Most newbies often risk losing their digital assets to cyberattacks or elaborate scams.
The internet and social media are saturated with glitzy ads for dodgy opportunities. Crypto scammers flash their cash, posing as glamorous disruptive innovators on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
In addition, new AI tools have boosted scammers and made their crypto games more complex and sophisticated. Take a look at the bigger picture and notice when to step back before you get sucked in.
A Global Increase in AI-related Crypto Scams
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a popular tool for con artists to make their scams look legitimate.
The cybersecurity industry is hitting back with AI-fuelled defences. The recommended tools are an antivirus, a VPN, a search engine, and a sceptical nature.
An antivirus will block links to dangerous sites and prevent accidental downloading of malicious software. A sceptical nature is that little voice that reminds you to be careful around things that look too good to be true. But why a search engine, and what is a VPN in a crypto context?
A search engine (fuelled by your scepticism) will help you do instant background research on investment companies and the people behind them. You should never click on links in emails from strangers or ads on social media before you’ve done a quick check on the web.
A VPN (virtual private network) is software that encrypts your data to prevent outsiders from tampering with your transactions. It creates a private “tunnel” between your device and the server to transport your data safely to its intended destination. It also hides your IP and location online, making it nearly impossible for fake investment companies to track you.
The Role of AI in Phishing Attacks
Scammers have been quick to use AI to write more convincing phishing emails and design convincing marketing material for their fake investment opportunities. AI tools avoid common spelling mistakes and typos. The end result, containing links to fake investment sites, is more polished and sophisticated. Phishing attacks are so effective and common that the criminal community has even created its own AI tool for this specialised task.
The role of Social Media Platforms
Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter provide scammers with a constant feed of fresh victims. Some scammers specialise in impersonating famous people or companies. AI makes it easier to create fake profiles, and the platform’s algorithms will do the rest.
They’ll soon overwhelm the newcomer with friendly suggestions to help them build a network. It’s not long before they can distribute marketing material and website links.
The Role of Deceptive Websites
Creating a legit-seeming website for a fake crypto investment company is easy and cheap. For more complex websites, mobile trading apps, and counterfeit wallets, scammers can turn to the Dark Web. That’s where you can hire developers who will turn a blind eye (or share in the profits).
On fake exchanges, victims are encouraged to start trading immediately after registration. The system can be rigged to help them make quick profits, and they’ll sometimes allow the victims to withdraw some money. Then they increase the stakes, asking for bigger investments while promising even greater rewards. When the time is ripe, they’ll close the investor’s account and vanish with investors’ money.
Common Cryptocurrency Scams In India In 2024
Before you click on a link, type the name of the exchange platform into a search engine. Search for authentic reviews, news articles, and verifiable testimonials. Find out who owns or runs the company and research the team. Be cautious of platforms that hand out bonuses for recruiting friends and family. Multilevel marketing practices can easily tip over into a scam.
- In Rug Pull scams, fraudsters pretend to invent a new project, coin, or non-fungible token (NFT). Once they have enough of the investor’s money, they disappear. The 2022 Morris Coin Scam (INR 1,200 cr) was a classic Rug Pull scam with a non-existent crypto called the Morris coin.
- Ponzi schemes are hugely popular. Early investors get handsome returns. However, there are no legitimate profits. Instead, the scammers use fresh funds from new investors to pay the early investors. Ponzi schemes collapse when the stream of new investors dries up. The STA Token Ponzi scheme amounted to INR 1,000 cr. The 2018 GainBitcoin Ponzi scheme scam amounted to INR 2,000 cr.
- In Pump-and-Dump schemes, scammers inflate cryptocurrency prices using marketing blitzes and coordinated purchases. Then, they quickly sell their tokens off at maximum prices. When the token collapses, investors are left with worthless currency.
- In fake celebrity endorsements, scammers create fake profiles with photos of famous people or celebrities. The fake Elon Musk or Bill Gates pretends to give away money or promise high returns in a very short time. These scams are very prevalent on social media platforms.
- In romance scams, scammers manipulate online relationships. They aim to get victims to hand over crypto keys, make crypto payments, or invest in a fake crypto project.
Tips to Protect Your Digital Assets
Crypto scams have no borders, but getting justice from a country halfway around the world can be impossible. Prevention is better than trying to claw back your life savings from evil people.
- Use a VPN to protect your privacy. Blockchain technology records all transactions, and you can’t avoid KYC/AML exchanges forever. Inevitably, your internet service provider will be a party to your transactions. They may legally be obligated to record your activities online. Keep your IP address and transaction details private with VPN encryption.
- Using geo-location spoofing can protect your online activities legally and safely. By masking your device’s physical location, you can prevent exchanges and financial institutions from identifying you through geolocation data.
- Criminals can’t steal your crypto if they don’t know who owns it. A privacy-first VPN service helps protect your identity from hackers, governments, and swindlers.
- Guard crypto wallet keys with two-factor authentication.
- Keep “hot” and “cold” wallets. Use the hot wallet for transactions, but hide the bulk of your tokens in cold wallets.
- Don’t permanently link your cryptocurrency brokerage accounts and your “traditional” bank account or credit card.
- If a company requests you for your keys for investment participation, treat it as a red flag. Keep your wallet keys confidential.
Staying Ahead of Crypto Scams
The increase in cryptocurrency scams in India reflects a worldwide trend. Scammers are using sophisticated AI tools to deceive investors in a complex industry. Even veteran investors can lose their digital assets unless they take steps to stay secure online. Be aware of the minefield of common scams. Only deal with reputable exchanges, stay aware of regulatory developments, and implement strong security measures to protect your digital assets.
