Fake crypto exchange and trading apps

You meet someone online, or see an ad, and get a link to an exchange or app that looks real. You deposit, the dashboard shows strong “profits”, and you deposit more. When you try to withdraw, you are told to pay a “tax”, “unlock fee” or “account upgrade” first. Paying never releases the funds.

The app may even be on an official app store for a while. Being listed does not make it safe.

• You found the platform through a stranger, a dating match or a group chat, not by checking regulators yourself.
• Returns look steady and high with no losing days.
• You must pay a fee or tax before you can withdraw.
• Support only talks to you on WhatsApp or Telegram.

1. Stop depositing. Do not pay any “withdrawal fee”.
2. Check the company on your regulator’s register (for example the FCA register in the UK or FinCEN MSB search in the US).
3. Report it.

In the US, report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Elsewhere, report to your national police cyber unit and the platform involved. Keep screenshots, wallet addresses and transaction IDs.

Train your eye in the Scam Spotter swipe game and the Wallet Security Escape Room.