The following chapters offer a small introduction to popular scam schemes and how these fraudulent operations work. Please read through this section carefully and see if any apply to your situation, as self-protection is your first priority.
1. 📱 Fraudulent Wallets (App Store Impersonation)
While mobile wallets offer great non-custodial storage, this growth has fueled a specific scam technique: fake apps impersonating legitimate wallets on app stores like Google Play. These sophisticated fake apps can give creators direct access to your private keys, leading to theft or account lockout.
| 🚩 The Risk | 🛡️ Protective Action |
|---|---|
| Fake Apps give scammers direct access to your private keys and funds. | Visit the official website of the wallet provider first. |
| Impersonation looks increasingly legitimate despite store efforts to remove them. | Click through the official website's link to find the legitimate app on the store. |
| Always check the number of user downloads and reviews before installing the app on your device. |
2. 📧 Blackmail & Email Phishing Scams
These scams often begin with email phishing, where clicking a fraudulent link allows scammers to gain remote control of your computer. They steal personal (and often intimate) information and then demand a certain amount of Bitcoin to delete the material, threatening to send it to your contacts if you refuse.
| 🚩 The Risk | 🛡️ Protective Action |
|---|---|
| Phishing Links grant remote control and allow personal data theft. | Simply do not click on ads or emails that seem suspicious or hard to understand. |
| Blackmail Demand requests Bitcoin to prevent the dissemination of stolen data. | Always check the sender's email address and cross-check it online to discover if the sender is legitimate before interacting with the email. |
3. 📞 Tech Support Scams
Tech support scams are usually performed through deceptive phone calls. Fraudsters impersonate customer support staff from popular exchanges, using manipulative questions to gain your trust. They ultimately attempt to get your account details to log in and steal your funds.
| 🚩 The Risk | 🛡️ Protective Action |
|---|---|
| Manipulative Questions lead scammers to request sensitive account details. | Never give your account details (or 2FA code) to anyone. Real customer support staff will never ask for this information. |
| Fraudsters ask you to send funds to their wallet address. | Never send your funds to wallet addresses indicated by people claiming to be support agents. Real agents will never ask you to do this. |
| Impersonation over the phone is common. | Only contact the support channel of your exchange through their official live chat function or by opening a support ticket on the website. |