Over the past 5 years, it has been reported that more than 20 billion USD (!) have been stolen in various cryptocurrency Ponzi schemes. As AI becomes more widely available, we are seeing scammers increasingly leveraging the technology. We have seen standard AI-written whitepapers, deepfake videos of a “project founder,” and, not to mention, Telegram groups “managed” by chatbots impersonating legitimate blockchain projects. Most new entrants to the crypto Ponzi scheme list have used AI-facilitated pretenses, making it even harder to tell legitimate from phony ventures for average investors. This new era of technological innovation makes investors even more cautious and research-driven before investing money.
The scheme promised significant monthly returns on Dekado Coin investments, attracting a substantial user base from countries like India, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Africa. However, after the launch, the website suddenly went offline, leaving investors unable to access their accounts. Dekado Coin became one of the prominent crypto Ponzi schemes that caused substantial financial losses. However, alongside these promising prospects, there is a recurring issue of crypto scams, ranging from small-scale schemes to larger-scale operations.
We will shed light on how the individuals behind these schemes leveraged the volatility, intricacies, and unique appeal of cryptocurrencies. Before delving into the crypto Ponzi scheme list, let’s first explore the defining characteristics that constitute a crypto Ponzi scheme. This statement emphasizes the need for caution and due diligence when engaging in any crypto investment opportunity, regardless of the perceived reputation of the company promoting it. “I cannot express how relieved I am to have worked with Lionsgate Network for my crypto recovery needs.
Set a price alert
The future of preventing scams lies not only in being familiar with crypto but also with the tools being used by scammers today to disguise their scams. During the height of the Bitconnect fraud, Michael James and Raymond Weil introduced Regalcoin, a similar staking scheme. Regalcoin enticed investors by promising monthly returns of up to 50% for holding their newly introduced token. While the crypto was listed on a few exchanges, its value plummeted from over $70 in October 2017 to a mere $0.005 in 2019.
- Launched in 2016, Bitconnect gained significant attention as a Bitcoin lending solution, assuring investors monthly returns of up to 40%.
- That said, some names on the crypto Ponzi scheme list have defrauded investors through unauthorized or misleading leveraging of public figures to inculcate a false sense of security.
- Binance support didn’t offer a reasonable feedback to why even though I went through verification.
- A crypto Ponzi scheme is an elaborate investment scam that entices investors with the promise of high and quick returns, leveraging the allure of cryptocurrencies.
In the realm of cryptocurrency, now that you have gotten yourself acquainted with the full crypto Ponzi scheme list, Ponzi schemes pose a significant threat to unsuspecting investors. These elaborate investment frauds exploit the allure of crypto’s innovative technology and the potential for substantial profits. Scammers take advantage of the lack of crypto education among many individuals around the world. Dekado Coin, orchestrated by Divyesh Darji, Ranjeet Saxena, and their partners, managed to scam investors on two occasions.
Company
- Although similar in some aspects, a pyramid scheme differs from a Ponzi scheme in its structure.
- “I cannot express how relieved I am to have worked with Lionsgate Network for my crypto recovery needs.
- However, the scheme eventually collapses when new investments dwindle.
- The lack of transparency, including the absence of a physical address or contact information, raised further suspicions regarding the legitimacy of Ether Trade Asia.
- Let’s explore ten of the biggest cases where investors found themselves receiving more than they had initially anticipated from some of the most notorious bad actors in the crypto ecosystem.
Our aim is to assist members of our community in evading becoming the next target, providing valuable insights and clear guidance. Investors in the crypto market are well aware of the potential for high returns that stem from the innovative nature of blockchain technology, particularly in sectors poised for mainstream adoption in the near future. We hope that as you read this, it is because you prioritize educating yourself for prevention rather than recovery. However, if the latter is the case, please make sure to report crypto scam cases known to you to the authorities in your region and file a complaint at lionsgate.network as soon as possible. In the current era of mass media, most scam crypto projects employ celebrity endorsement, real or perceived, as a tool of credibility and unsuspecting investor attraction. The endorsements are most often trotted out on project websites or social media ads, implying credibility by association.
The project was led by anonymous developers, with an individual named Satao Nakamoto serving as the figurehead, using an obvious pseudonym. Investors had to purchase BCC tokens and lock them on the platform, with trading bots supposedly using the locked funds for trading. However, the scheme eventually collapsed, resulting in severe losses for participants. Both types of schemes exploit unsuspecting individuals, but understanding their differences can help investors recognize the warning signs and protect themselves from falling victim to such fraudulent activities.
Company filings indicated that Regalcoin Corporation dissolved in September 2019, leaving investors devastated. Although similar in some aspects, a pyramid scheme differs from a Ponzi scheme in its structure. Like a Ponzi scheme, a pyramid scheme relies on new investments to pay dekado coin returns to earlier participants.
That said, some names on the crypto Ponzi scheme list have defrauded investors through unauthorized or misleading leveraging of public figures to inculcate a false sense of security. Investors must make informed decisions based on transparent business practices, auditable histories, and regulatory status, rather than popularity or fame, when considering crypto opportunities. Ether Trade Asia operated as a crypto trading platform, offering investors a daily return of 3% on their investments. However, when users attempted to withdraw their tokens, the platform constantly cited “technical glitches” as the reason for the inability to process withdrawals. The lack of transparency, including the absence of a physical address or contact information, raised further suspicions regarding the legitimacy of Ether Trade Asia.
Historical Price Data (USD)
Morris Coin targeted Indian investors, with Nishad K and his team promising daily returns and referral benefits. Investors were lured into depositing a minimum of INR 15,000, with the promise of a daily return of INR 270 or a 4.4x profit. The scheme attracted approximately 1.1 million individuals, primarily from India. However, the Morris Coin affair took a bizarre turn when an ICO was announced, and a white paper was published, further fueling suspicions of fraudulent activities. Launched in 2016, Bitconnect gained significant attention as a Bitcoin lending solution, assuring investors monthly returns of up to 40%.
A Ponzi scheme disguises itself as a legitimate venture, claiming to generate profits through services or product sales. On the other hand, pyramid schemes do not attribute the alleged profitability to any legitimate business activity. Instead, they focus solely on the inflow of new investments without a genuine revenue-generating mechanism.
Top 10 Crypto Casinos of 2025
However, the scheme eventually collapses when new investments dwindle. PlusToken stands as one of the largest and most recent Ponzi schemes in the crypto world. The scam primarily targeted Chinese investors, leveraging the popular messaging app WeChat for marketing purposes. PlusToken enticed investors with promises of monthly returns ranging from 10% to 30%.
Exploiting the famous price volatility and hype of digital assets and the complex nature of their underlying technology, fraudsters pitch vague and unrealistic crypto investment solutions to unsuspecting investors. They capitalize on the growing allure of crypto assets, the desire to discover the “next Bitcoin,” and the general lack of public education regarding the fundamentals of crypto technology. In an era where everybody wants to be a millionaire, these malicious actors have discovered a seamless pathway to siphon off billions of dollars annually. In 2016, GainBitcoin emerged as a cloud mining solution based in India, attracting investors with promises of 10% monthly returns for 18 months.
The project revolved around crypto literacy and offered a wallet service. Ultimately, the fraudsters convinced investors to purchase the project’s token, PlusToken, resulting in colossal financial losses. Onecoin, led by Bulgarian fraudster Ruja Ignatova, also known as Cryptoqueen, stands as one of the longest-running Ponzi schemes in the crypto industry. Between 2014 and 2019, Onecoin deceived investors, amassing an estimated $5.8 billion. Ignatova marketed Onecoin as a potential “Bitcoin Killer” and a groundbreaking innovation within the crypto space.
Future price prediction
Binance support didn’t offer a reasonable feedback to why even though I went through verification. I was very frustrate and my trust in the crypto space was lost… I read about Lionsgate at Quora and I contacted them via email. An agent at Lionsgate reviewed my file with me and resolved my case within 48 hours after I opened a case with the company. If you’ve been affected by a crypto scam, you are entitled to a case evaluation. Unfortunately, Ponzi scheme operators are skilled at concealing these red flags and manipulating investors’ emotions, enabling them to thrive even in today’s digital age, a century after Charles Ponzi himself. Let’s explore ten of the biggest cases where investors found themselves receiving more than they had initially anticipated from some of the most notorious bad actors in the crypto ecosystem.
Dekado (DKD) Technology and Details
Similar to GainBitcoin, Mining Max disguised its illicit operations behind a cloud mining venture. It capitalized on the widespread crypto hype, presenting investors with the opportunity to participate in a multi-crypto mining ecosystem that promised high returns. The success of Mining Max relied heavily on aggressive marketing campaigns aimed at attracting new investments, aligning with the characteristics of other crypto Ponzi schemes.
