Virtual money, real risks: 4 scams that make investors 'lose everything'

DNVN - The explosion of cryptocurrencies has brought with it a series of sophisticated scams, from fake attacks, "ghost" projects, to the exploitation of AI technology to appropriate assets. Experts warn that in just one minute of losing vigilance, investors can lose their entire digital wallet.

In the digital age, investing in cryptocurrencies is becoming a trend that many people are interested in. However, along with opportunities are countless risks, especially the increasingly sophisticated forms of fraud. Below are common tricks that experts warn about.

Cryptocurrency investors face a wave of high-tech scams.

1. Phishing

This is a familiar trick but still traps many people. Fraudsters create fake websites with interfaces identical to real exchanges, pre-installed with malware to steal information. When users log in to their wallets or approve transactions, criminals can automatically withdraw money from their wallets without the victim knowing.

Another variation is QR code scams. Criminals distribute QR codes containing malicious links via email, text messages, or posted in public places. When users scan them, they are taken to a fake site or automatically download malware that exposes their private keys or seed phrases.

Experts recommend that users carefully check the link before logging into the wallet or exchange, do not scan QR codes from unknown sources, enable two-step authentication and absolutely do not share private keys with anyone.

2. “Rug Pulls” - The trick of “pulling the rug” on investors

In the DeFi and NFT space, “Rug Pulls” are a common form of scam, where the development team drains all liquidity and disappears with investors’ money.

These types of projects are often very well-built, with websites, whitepapers, and massive media campaigns. They often promise huge returns, low risk, and promote “exclusive” digital assets. Some projects even copy the interfaces of reputable DeFi or NFT platforms to trick users into transferring assets to fake wallets.

The hallmark of “Rug Pulls” is that the development team is anonymous, does not publicly release source code or independent audit reports. According to statistics, since the beginning of 2025, “rug pulls” have caused nearly $6 billion in damage to the Web3 ecosystem, many times higher than the $90 million in the same period in 2024.

3. Fraud using Deepfake AI

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is opening a new era of fraud. Fraudsters use Deepfake technology to create copies of famous people, from businessmen, investors to KOLs in the financial sector, to call for investment or money transfer.

By learning from videos , podcasts, or public interviews, AI can recreate faces, voices, and demeanors that are almost real enough to fool viewers. These fake videos often play on users’ trust and “fear of missing out” (FOMO), causing them to quickly make decisions to transfer money.

Deepfakes are blurring the line between real and fake, becoming one of the most worrying threats of the AI ​​age.

4. Impersonating customer support staff

An increasingly popular trick is to impersonate customer service staff of major exchanges or e-wallets. Taking advantage of users' panic when encountering problems, scammers approach via social networks, Telegram or fake websites.

They initially appear polite and professional to gain trust, then send a fake “support portal” link or offer to “recover a locked wallet.” Users are asked to provide their private keys, 2FA code, or wallet recovery phrase — and soon after, all their assets are taken.

Some scammers even fake refund notifications, tricking users into confirming transactions or entering security codes. However, official support staff never ask for private keys, seed phrases, or 2FA codes.

Users should carefully check the domain name, email address, and only contact support through the official channel published on the exchange's website.

Don't let "greed" and "trust" become traps

Experts warn that cryptocurrency scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, combining high technology and social psychology. Understanding the nature of each trick is the best way to protect yourself.

A minute of vigilance can save investors thousands of dollars in losses – and more importantly, keep digital assets safe in the borderless cyber world .

Nguyen Bach

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/tien-ao-rui-ro-that-4-thu-doan-lua-dao-khien-nha-dau-tu-mat-trang/20251009025848883