Crypto scams: guaranteed returns are the giveaway
Editorially reviewed · Last updated September 8, 2026
Yes — this is a scam. Nobody can guarantee crypto profits — the FTC's rule is that only scammers promise big returns with zero risk.
Exhibit · Text message
Other versions you might get: A celebrity who'll “multiply” any crypto you send, a love interest with a trading secret, a company launching its own “coin,” a job whose first task is buying crypto for a “client,” a government agent walking you to a crypto ATM for “safe keeping” — or a “recovery service” that can find what you lost, for a fee. Same trap, new costume.
What to do right now
- Stop sending money now — including “taxes” or “fees” to unlock a withdrawal. The FBI warns that victims are unable to get their money back even after paying the demanded fees.
- Don't pay a “recovery service.” The FBI's guidance is explicit: do not pay for services that claim to be able to recover lost funds — that's round two of the same scam.
- Report it everywhere it counts: the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI at ic3.gov, the SEC at sec.gov/tcr, the CFTC at CFTC.gov/complaint — and the exchange you sent crypto through.
- Save the evidence — the platform URL, wallet addresses, transaction records, and chat screenshots — before the scammer deletes the site or the thread.
- Report promptly. Crypto generally lacks a card-style chargeback, but contact the exchange or provider and law enforcement anyway. Preserve transaction hashes and wallet addresses; recovery is not guaranteed.
Reduce the risk of another scam
Do not use the message’s link to check the claim. Open the real service yourself. If you paid or shared account details, start with what to do after a scam. Blocking and reporting can reduce unwanted contact, but they cannot stop every attempt or tell you how the sender found you.
● Public service · free steps first
Take the free protection steps first
A suspicious message does not tell us how someone found your details. If you shared personal information, start with the official recovery guidance. You can also freeze your credit for free.
- Freeze your credit — free at all three bureausRestricts access to your credit report for new credit applications. It does not protect existing accounts from misuse.
- Report it and get a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.govThe FTC walks you through exactly what to do next, for free.
Decide what protection you need
Start with the free controls above. Compare what a paid service would add only after deciding which problem remains.
No purchase needed. How we use evidence.
Frequently asked
How can I tell if a crypto investment is a scam?
My account dashboard shows profits — how can it be fake?
They say I have to pay taxes or a fee before I can withdraw — is that real?
Can I get my crypto back after a scam?
Is all cryptocurrency a scam?
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Crypto ATM scam: why they want cash in the machine
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Sources
- 01What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams— Federal Trade Commission
- 02The FBI Warns of a Spike in Cryptocurrency Investment Schemes— FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
- 03What To Do if You Were Scammed— consumer.ftc.gov
- 04Relationship Investment Scams — Protect Yourself— investor.gov
Pass it on
Help protect someone else
If this could have fooled you, it can fool someone you know — a parent, a friend, the family group chat. It's safe to forward, and stands on its own as a record for a bank or the police.