What are the most common cryptocurrency scams that occurred in 2017?

7 answers

• Jamison OlsenJul 16, 2025 · a month ago
  In 2017, the cryptocurrency industry witnessed several common scams that targeted unsuspecting investors. One prevalent scam was the ICO (Initial Coin Offering) scam, where fraudulent projects raised funds through token sales and then disappeared with the investors' money. These scams often involved promising high returns and innovative ideas, but in reality, they were just elaborate schemes to steal money. Many investors lost significant amounts of money in these scams, highlighting the need for thorough research and due diligence before investing in any ICO.
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• Nebi AsadliOct 16, 2022 · 3 years ago
  Ah, 2017, the year of cryptocurrency scams! One of the most common scams back then was the phishing scam. Scammers would send out emails or create fake websites that looked like legitimate cryptocurrency exchanges or wallets, tricking people into revealing their private keys or login credentials. Once they had access to these sensitive information, they would drain the victims' accounts. It was a classic case of online identity theft, and many people fell victim to it. Remember, always double-check the website's URL and never share your private keys with anyone!
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• gaopanMay 27, 2023 · 2 years ago
  As an expert in the cryptocurrency industry, I can tell you that one of the most notorious scams in 2017 was the Bitconnect scam. Bitconnect promised investors high daily returns through their lending program and referral system. However, it turned out to be a Ponzi scheme, where new investors' money was used to pay off existing investors. When the scheme collapsed, many people lost their hard-earned money. It was a harsh lesson for those who blindly trusted the promises of quick riches. Thankfully, the industry has become more regulated since then, and scams like Bitconnect are less common.
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• Gene YussMar 23, 2021 · 4 years ago
  In 2017, there were several cryptocurrency scams that made headlines. One notable scam was the Mt. Gox hack, which actually occurred in 2014 but its impact was still felt in 2017. Mt. Gox was once the largest Bitcoin exchange, but it suffered a massive security breach that resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of Bitcoins. The hack exposed the vulnerabilities of centralized exchanges and highlighted the importance of storing cryptocurrencies in secure wallets. It was a wake-up call for the industry to prioritize security and implement better safeguards.
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• gioMay 12, 2023 · 2 years ago
  As a user of Stack Overflow, I can say that cryptocurrency scams were a hot topic in 2017. One scam that gained attention was the fake giveaway scam on social media platforms. Scammers would impersonate well-known figures in the cryptocurrency industry, such as Vitalik Buterin or Charlie Lee, and promise to give away a large amount of cryptocurrency to anyone who sent them a small initial deposit. Of course, the victims never received any cryptocurrency in return. It was a lesson in skepticism and not falling for too-good-to-be-true offers.
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• Danish Abyan PratistaJul 27, 2024 · a year ago
  2017 was a year filled with cryptocurrency scams, and one scam that affected many investors was the pump and dump scheme. This scheme involved artificially inflating the price of a low-value cryptocurrency through coordinated buying, and then selling off the coins at the peak to make a profit. The scammers would often use social media and online forums to create hype around the coin and lure in unsuspecting investors. Once the price reached a certain point, they would sell their holdings, causing the price to plummet and leaving other investors with significant losses. It was a manipulative tactic that preyed on the greed of investors.
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• sahil MushfiqFeb 08, 2022 · 4 years ago
  In 2017, the cryptocurrency industry experienced a surge in pyramid schemes. These scams promised high returns through multi-level marketing structures, where participants would earn commissions by recruiting new members. However, the majority of participants ended up losing money, as the pyramid eventually collapsed when there were no more new recruits to sustain the payouts. It was a classic case of unsustainable business models and the exploitation of people's trust. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
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