7 red flags of a crypto trading scam
Built from 600 consumer scam reports published by a state financial regulator, 10 SEC and CFTC cases about trading bots and “AI”, and the FBI’s 2025 report. If you see even one of these, stop before you send money.
The “platform” isn’t an exchange you already know.
553 of the 600 reports on a state regulator’s public crypto scam tracker ↗ are tagged Fraudulent Trading Platform. Real trading bots connect to your own exchange account or run on your computer. They don’t need you to deposit on their website.
A stranger moved you to WhatsApp, Telegram or a dating app.
307 reports are tagged Pig Butchering and 44 Romance. The FBI says these scams usually start with a text, social post, ad or dating app, then move to a messaging app.
Someone claims to be a famous company, exchange or person.
98 reports are tagged Imposter. Scam sites often borrow a real brand’s name, so check the exact website address, not just the name.
It’s an “investment group”, signal room or AI bot you rent.
82 reports are tagged Investment Group, 20 Signal Selling and 9 AI Investment. The SEC and CFTC have brought 10 cases over trading-bot and “AI” trading pitches (see what they found).
You’re told to pay a tax or fee before you can withdraw.
26 reports are tagged Advance Fee. The FBI describes “taxes and fees” at withdrawal as the final stage, right before the scammers disappear (FBI IC3 2025 Internet Crime Report, pp. 12–13 ↗). Don’t pay it.
The website is weeks old but claims years of results.
New domains with “guaranteed” returns are a classic sign. Paste the address into our website checker to see its registration date, look-alike matches and scam-list matches.
Someone offers to recover your money for a fee.
It’s a second scam. The FBI warns that victims are also targeted by recovery scams (FBI IC3 2025 Internet Crime Report, pp. 12–13 ↗). Report to ic3.gov ↗ and ignore “recovery agents”.
Tags are the regulator’s own; one report can carry several. Reports are consumer complaints, not court findings. Counts as of Oct 16, 2026. To keep a copy, use your browser’s Print or “Save as PDF”. Not legal or investment advice.
Questions
Where do these numbers come from?
From 600 consumer reports on a state financial regulator’s public crypto scam tracker, using the regulator’s own scam-type tags (one report can carry several), plus 10 SEC and CFTC cases involving trading bots or AI trading. Counts as of Oct 16, 2026.
What should I do if I already deposited?
Stop sending money, including any “tax” or “fee” to withdraw. Save screenshots and wallet addresses, report to ic3.gov (US) and your exchange, and ignore anyone offering to recover the funds for a fee.
Is a trading bot with none of these red flags safe?
Not necessarily. These are warning signs, not a safety check. Look the bot up on BotOrNot to see its sourced report card, custody model and incident history.
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