Crypto & Trading Scams
Why ‘guaranteed returns’ is always a red flag — no exceptions
The single rule for investing:
If someone promises guaranteed returns on crypto, stocks, or any investment — walk away. All real investments carry risk. “Guaranteed” = scam, every time.
In India, legitimate investment advisors are SEBI-registered. Check at sebi.gov.in before trusting anyone with your money.
Fake trading apps
A 'mentor' or 'friend' introduces you to a trading platform you've never heard of — often via Telegram or Instagram. The app shows fake profits to build confidence. When you try to withdraw, you're told to pay 'tax' or 'fees' first. That money is gone too.
🚩 Red flags:
- •App not on official Google Play or Apple App Store
- •Profits grow unusually fast (10-30% per month)
- •Withdrawal requires a fee or 'tax payment' first
- •App support only available in the chat group, not a real company
"Guaranteed returns" Telegram/WhatsApp groups
You're added to a group where 'experts' post daily profit screenshots. Real group members (actually fake accounts) praise the signals. You invest, might even see small 'profits' at first (so you invest more), then the group disappears overnight — a classic pump-and-dump or exit scam.
🚩 Red flags:
- •Groups promise specific guaranteed returns (e.g. '40% monthly')
- •Members share frequent profit screenshots
- •Group admin asks you to transfer directly to their UPI/wallet
- •Added to the group without asking to join
Pump-and-dump schemes
Scammers buy a low-value crypto coin cheaply, then hype it in groups to inflate the price. You buy in. They sell at the peak. Price crashes. You're left with worthless coins.
🚩 Red flags:
- •Coin is obscure, newly listed, or has very low trading volume
- •Message says 'buy NOW before price explodes'
- •Promotion comes from anonymous accounts with no track record
- •Pressure to buy quickly before 'the window closes'
If you've already sent money
Stop sending more — the “fee to unlock funds” will never end. Report to cybercrime.gov.in and call 1930 immediately.
📞 Call 1930