Cryptocurrency crime has surged in recent years, with criminals stealing by relying not only on sophisticated hacks, but also on scams as old as the internet itself. For Helen and her husband Richard, UK residents who spent seven years carefully building a portfolio of the cryptocurrency Cardano, the loss has been particularly painful, a BBC report explains.
Although every crypto transaction is permanently recorded on the blockchain, hackers who gained access to the couple’s cloud storage were able to quietly extract the information needed to empty their wallets. In February 2024, after a small test transaction, the criminals transferred all the funds in a silent operation.
What followed was months of helpless observation, as the stolen money was moved between digital wallets in full public view, yet with no way to identify who was behind the theft. Despite obtaining detailed reports from police and blockchain developers, Helen has discovered the central paradox of cryptocurrency: while transactions are transparent, criminals can remain invisible.
In this gallery, we present 30 of the most common online scams. From phishing attempts that cleverly pose as trusted organizations, to the age-old Nigerian prince scam that repeatedly lures victims with the promise of great riches, these tricks have left a trail of financial ruin and emotional suffering.
Click through and find out if you would ever fall for any of these.