🐟 Phishy
HomeScam guides

Crypto & investment scams — how to spot them

A stranger, or a too-good-to-be-true ad, offers a 'guaranteed' crypto or investment return, often building trust over days before asking you to deposit on a fake platform. It's known as 'pig butchering' — and losses can be huge.

Suspect a message like this? Check it free.
🔍 Check a suspicious message

How it works

• A friendly stranger messages you 'by mistake' and builds rapport • They introduce a 'guaranteed' investment or trading platform • Small early 'profits' let you withdraw — to build trust • Then they push a big deposit, and the money disappears

Red flags

• Guaranteed or unusually high returns • Pressure to deposit quickly on an unfamiliar platform • A link to a site you can't independently verify • Being moved off-platform to WhatsApp or Telegram

What to do

Never invest via a link someone messaged you. Verify any platform independently. Paste suspicious links into the free checker below before entering anything.

Want Phishy to check every message automatically — for your parents and kids too?
Download Phishy free

FAQ

Are 'guaranteed' investment returns real?

No. Guaranteed high returns are a hallmark of investment fraud. Real investments carry risk.

How do I check an investment platform link?

Paste it into the free checker — it flags known scam sites. Also verify the company through official regulators.

More guides:The 'package held at customs' scam — how to spot it'Your bank' texted you — how to spot impersonationSuspicious WhatsApp message — check before you tapHow to know if a link is safe to clickThe 'you won a prize' scam — how to spot it