Crypto Frauds - GetSmarterAboutCrypto.ca

<!doctype html> <html lang="en-CA" class="page-template page-template-page-template-fraud-stories page-template-page-template-fraud-stories-php page page-id-23 wp-custom-logo"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta http-equiv="ScreenOrientation" content="autoRotate:disabled"> <link rel="profile" href="https://gmpg.org/xfn/11"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/swiper@8/swiper-bundle.min.css"/>  <script async src=https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-99378242-10></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-99378242-10'); </script>  <script async src=https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-TVNG7009HQ></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-TVNG7009HQ'); </script> <meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fraud-stories/" hreflang="en" /> <link rel="alternate" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fr/fraude-en-cryptoactifs/" hreflang="fr" />  <title>Crypto Frauds - GetSmarterAboutCrypto.ca</title> <link rel="canonical" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fraud-stories/" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> <meta property="og:locale:alternate" content="fr_CA" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Crypto Frauds - GetSmarterAboutCrypto.ca" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fraud-stories/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="GetSmarterAboutCrypto.ca" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2022-06-15T10:52:33+00:00" /> <meta name="author" content="bpernica" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/#website","url":"https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/","name":"GetSmarterAboutCrypto.ca","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-CA"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fraud-stories/#webpage","url":"https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fraud-stories/","name":"Crypto Frauds - GetSmarterAboutCrypto.ca","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/#website"},"datePublished":"2022-04-09T20:58:05+00:00","dateModified":"2022-06-15T10:52:33+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fraud-stories/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-CA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fraud-stories/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fraud-stories/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Crypto Frauds"}]}]}</script>  <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="GetSmarterAboutCrypto.ca » Feed" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="GetSmarterAboutCrypto.ca » Comments Feed" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/comments/feed/" /> <script> window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/14.0.0\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/14.0.0\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.1.7"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(e,a,t){var n,r,o,i=a.createElement("canvas"),p=i.getContext&&i.getContext("2d");function s(e,t){var a=String.fromCharCode,e=(p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,e),0,0),i.toDataURL());return p.clearRect(0,0,i.width,i.height),p.fillText(a.apply(this,t),0,0),e===i.toDataURL()}function c(e){var t=a.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=t.type="text/javascript",a.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(t)}for(o=Array("flag","emoji"),t.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},r=0;r<o.length;r++)t.supports[o[r]]=function(e){if(p&&p.fillText)switch(p.textBaseline="top",p.font="600 32px Arial",e){case"flag":return s([127987,65039,8205,9895,65039],[127987,65039,8203,9895,65039])?!1:!s([55356,56826,55356,56819],[55356,56826,8203,55356,56819])&&!s([55356,57332,56128,56423,56128,56418,56128,56421,56128,56430,56128,56423,56128,56447],[55356,57332,8203,56128,56423,8203,56128,56418,8203,56128,56421,8203,56128,56430,8203,56128,56423,8203,56128,56447]);case"emoji":return!s([129777,127995,8205,129778,127999],[129777,127995,8203,129778,127999])}return!1}(o[r]),t.supports.everything=t.supports.everything&&t.supports[o[r]],"flag"!==o[r]&&(t.supports.everythingExceptFlag=t.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&t.supports[o[r]]);t.supports.everythingExceptFlag=t.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!t.supports.flag,t.DOMReady=!1,t.readyCallback=function(){t.DOMReady=!0},t.supports.everything||(n=function(){t.readyCallback()},a.addEventListener?(a.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",n,!1),e.addEventListener("load",n,!1)):(e.attachEvent("onload",n),a.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",function(){"complete"===a.readyState&&t.readyCallback()})),(e=t.source||{}).concatemoji?c(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(c(e.twemoji),c(e.wpemoji)))}(window,document,window._wpemojiSettings); </script> <style> img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { display: inline !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; height: 1em !important; width: 1em !important; margin: 0 0.07em !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; background: none !important; padding: 0 !important; } </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.1.7' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='classic-theme-styles-css' href='https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-includes/css/classic-themes.min.css?ver=1' media='all' /> <style id='global-styles-inline-css'> body{--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--duotone--dark-grayscale: url('#wp-duotone-dark-grayscale');--wp--preset--duotone--grayscale: url('#wp-duotone-grayscale');--wp--preset--duotone--purple-yellow: url('#wp-duotone-purple-yellow');--wp--preset--duotone--blue-red: url('#wp-duotone-blue-red');--wp--preset--duotone--midnight: url('#wp-duotone-midnight');--wp--preset--duotone--magenta-yellow: url('#wp-duotone-magenta-yellow');--wp--preset--duotone--purple-green: url('#wp-duotone-purple-green');--wp--preset--duotone--blue-orange: url('#wp-duotone-blue-orange');--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}body .is-layout-flow > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}body .is-layout-constrained > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)){max-width: var(--wp--style--global--content-size);margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignwide{max-width: var(--wp--style--global--wide-size);}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}body .is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}body .is-layout-flex > *{margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} .wp-block-navigation a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){color: inherit;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;} .wp-block-pullquote{font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='osc-crypto-style-css' href='https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/themes/osc-crypto/style.css?ver=3' media='all' /> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" type="application/json" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/23" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <link rel="wlwmanifest" type="application/wlwmanifest+xml" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-includes/wlwmanifest.xml" /> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.1.7" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/?p=23' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgetsmarteraboutcrypto.ca%2Ffraud-stories%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgetsmarteraboutcrypto.ca%2Ffraud-stories%2F&format=xml" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-196x196-1-32x32.jpeg" sizes="32x32" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-196x196-1-192x192.jpeg" sizes="192x192" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-196x196-1-180x180.jpeg" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-196x196-1-270x270.jpeg" /> </head> <body class="page-template page-template-page-template-fraud-stories page-template-page-template-fraud-stories-php page page-id-23 wp-custom-logo"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 0 0" width="0" height="0" focusable="false" role="none" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;" ><defs><filter id="wp-duotone-dark-grayscale"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" type="matrix" values=" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 " /><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" ><feFuncR type="table" tableValues="0 0.49803921568627" /><feFuncG type="table" tableValues="0 0.49803921568627" /><feFuncB type="table" tableValues="0 0.49803921568627" /><feFuncA type="table" tableValues="1 1" /></feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2="SourceGraphic" operator="in" /></filter></defs></svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 0 0" width="0" height="0" focusable="false" role="none" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;" ><defs><filter id="wp-duotone-grayscale"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" type="matrix" values=" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 " /><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" ><feFuncR type="table" tableValues="0 1" /><feFuncG type="table" tableValues="0 1" /><feFuncB type="table" tableValues="0 1" /><feFuncA type="table" tableValues="1 1" /></feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2="SourceGraphic" operator="in" /></filter></defs></svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 0 0" width="0" height="0" focusable="false" role="none" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;" ><defs><filter id="wp-duotone-purple-yellow"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" type="matrix" values=" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 " /><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" ><feFuncR type="table" tableValues="0.54901960784314 0.98823529411765" /><feFuncG type="table" tableValues="0 1" /><feFuncB type="table" tableValues="0.71764705882353 0.25490196078431" /><feFuncA type="table" tableValues="1 1" /></feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2="SourceGraphic" operator="in" /></filter></defs></svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 0 0" width="0" height="0" focusable="false" role="none" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;" ><defs><filter id="wp-duotone-blue-red"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" type="matrix" values=" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 " /><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" ><feFuncR type="table" tableValues="0 1" /><feFuncG type="table" tableValues="0 0.27843137254902" /><feFuncB type="table" tableValues="0.5921568627451 0.27843137254902" /><feFuncA type="table" tableValues="1 1" /></feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2="SourceGraphic" operator="in" /></filter></defs></svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 0 0" width="0" height="0" focusable="false" role="none" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;" ><defs><filter id="wp-duotone-midnight"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" type="matrix" values=" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 " /><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" ><feFuncR type="table" tableValues="0 0" /><feFuncG type="table" tableValues="0 0.64705882352941" /><feFuncB type="table" tableValues="0 1" /><feFuncA type="table" tableValues="1 1" /></feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2="SourceGraphic" operator="in" /></filter></defs></svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 0 0" width="0" height="0" focusable="false" role="none" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;" ><defs><filter id="wp-duotone-magenta-yellow"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" type="matrix" values=" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 " /><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" ><feFuncR type="table" tableValues="0.78039215686275 1" /><feFuncG type="table" tableValues="0 0.94901960784314" /><feFuncB type="table" tableValues="0.35294117647059 0.47058823529412" /><feFuncA type="table" tableValues="1 1" /></feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2="SourceGraphic" operator="in" /></filter></defs></svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 0 0" width="0" height="0" focusable="false" role="none" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;" ><defs><filter id="wp-duotone-purple-green"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" type="matrix" values=" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 " /><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" ><feFuncR type="table" tableValues="0.65098039215686 0.40392156862745" /><feFuncG type="table" tableValues="0 1" /><feFuncB type="table" tableValues="0.44705882352941 0.4" /><feFuncA type="table" tableValues="1 1" /></feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2="SourceGraphic" operator="in" /></filter></defs></svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 0 0" width="0" height="0" focusable="false" role="none" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute; left: -9999px; overflow: hidden;" ><defs><filter id="wp-duotone-blue-orange"><feColorMatrix color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" type="matrix" values=" .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 .299 .587 .114 0 0 " /><feComponentTransfer color-interpolation-filters="sRGB" ><feFuncR type="table" tableValues="0.098039215686275 1" /><feFuncG type="table" tableValues="0 0.66274509803922" /><feFuncB type="table" tableValues="0.84705882352941 0.41960784313725" /><feFuncA type="table" tableValues="1 1" /></feComponentTransfer><feComposite in2="SourceGraphic" operator="in" /></filter></defs></svg> <div id="page" class="site"> <header class="main-header"> <a href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca" class="main-header__logo"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/crypto-101-logo.svg" alt="Crypto 101 homepage, link" class="main-header__logo--black" /> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/crypto-101-logo-white.svg" alt="Crypto 101 homepage, link" class="main-header__logo--white" /> </a> <div class="main-header__menu-button"> <span>Menu</span> <span>Close</span> </div> <div class="main-navigation-wrap"> <div class="main-navigation-wrap__header-bar"> <a href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca" class="main-navigation-wrap__header-bar__logo"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/crypto-101-logo.svg" alt="Crypto 101 homepage, link" class="main-header__logo--black" /> </a> <div class="main-navigation-wrap__header-bar__language"> <a href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fr/fraude-en-cryptoactifs/">French</a> </div> </div> <nav class="main-navigation-wrap__main-nav"> <div class="menu-menu-1-container"><ul id="primary-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-33" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-33"><a href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/crypto-explained/">Crypto Explained</a></li> <li id="menu-item-37" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-37"><a href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/trading-crypto/">Trading Crypto</a></li> <li id="menu-item-36" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-36"><a href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/rules-and-regulations/">Rules + Regulations</a></li> <li id="menu-item-34" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page current-menu-item page_item page-item-23 current_page_item menu-item-34"><a href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/fraud-stories/" aria-current="page">Crypto Frauds</a></li> <li id="menu-item-35" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-35"><a href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/glossary/">Glossary</a></li> </ul></div> </nav> <div class="main-navigation-wrap__other-links"> <a href="https://www.osc.ca/en" target="_blank"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ontario-securities-commision-investor-office-logo.png" alt="Ontario Securities Commission - Investor Office logo" /> </a> <div class="main-navigation-wrap__other-links__social"> <strong>Connect with us</strong> <ul> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/smarter_money" target="_blank"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-twitter-2.svg" alt="Twitter icon" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/getsmarteraboutmoney/" target="_blank"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-instagram.svg" alt="Instagram icon" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GetSmarterAboutMoney" target="_blank"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-facebook.svg" alt="Facebook icon" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="mailto:inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca" target="_blank"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-mail.svg" alt="Email icon" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="tel:18777851555" target="_self"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-phone.svg" alt="Phone icon" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <p><strong>Contact us<br /> </strong>If you have any questions about crypto assets or to report suspected fraud.<br /> <a href="tel:1-877-785-1555">Tel: 1-877-785-1555</a><br /> <a href="mailto:inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca">Email: inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca</a></p> <p><strong>Sign up for <a href="https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/resources/publications/investor-news/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Investor News</a><br /> </strong>Stay informed about the latest investor initiatives, educational resources, and investor warnings and alerts.</p> <a href="https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/resources/publications/investor-news/investor-news-sign-up/" target="_blank" class="main-navigation-wrap__other-links__button"> Sign up for Investor News </a> </div> </div> </header> <main class="fraud-stories-wrap"> <header class="page-main-header"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/themes/osc-crypto/assets/images/crypto-101-home-shape.svg" alt=""> <h1> Crypto Frauds </h1> </header> <section class="chameleon-speech-section"> <div class="chameleon-speech-section__image"> <lottie-player src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/themes/osc-crypto/assets/animations-json/osc-frauds-01-med.json" background="transparent" speed="1" loop autoplay></lottie-player> </div> <div class="chameleon-speech-section__speech-bubble fadein-wrap"> <div class="chameleon-speech-section__speech-bubble__content"> <p>There has been a significant rise in investor complaints about crypto-related scams.</p> <p>Since July 2020, the OSC Contact Centre had a 200% increase in crypto-related complaints.</p> </div> </div> </section> <section class="crypto-frauds-wrap"> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__header fadein-wrap"> <h2>Based on real events</h2> </div> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items"> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__one-big-item fadein-wrap"> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__one-big-item__content"> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__one-big-item__image"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/crypto-frauds-elderly-man.svg" alt="" /> </div> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__one-big-item__text-content"> <h3>Buyer beware</h3> <p>It began with an online ad. John thought he was investing $16,000 in Bitcoin. The senior citizen provided information that was used to create an online bank profile. The fraudsters withdrew money from his bank account. Fortunately, his daughter intervened — but not before he lost a lot of money.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__small-items"> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__small-items__one-item fadein-wrap"> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__small-items__one-item__content"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/crypto-frauds-girl.svg" alt="" /> <h3>Be social media cautious</h3> <p>A simple click on a Facebook link and a phone number request. Janelle provided her number and was called by someone promising she could double her money in a crypto investment. She sent money but couldn’t reach the person she talked to when she tried to withdraw it. She lost $1.4 million. The money had been set aside for treatment for her terminal illness and for her to leave to her children.</p> </div> </div> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__small-items__one-item fadein-wrap"> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__small-items__one-item__content"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/crypto-frauds-girl-2.svg" alt="" /> <h3>Don’t fall for famous faces</h3> <p>Tannis saw an online crypto currency ad with a picture of someone famous. Intrigued, she clicked the link, provided her contact information and invested. When she tried to withdraw her funds, they told her to pay more money for “taxes and margin issues.” She paid but then was unable to reach anyone or access her account.</p> </div> </div> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__small-items__one-item fadein-wrap"> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__small-items__one-item__content"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/crypto-frauds-girl-3.svg" alt="" /> <h3>Disappearing act</h3> <p>Sally met Harry on an online dating app. Harry told Sally he owned properties and traded crypto assets for hundreds of clients. He offered to invest for her too and not charge any commission. On his instruction, she used a bitcoin ATM to send funds directly to his bitcoin wallet. Harry said her investment grew dramatically. Sally sent more money, until all her $300,000 was “invested.” Suddenly, Harry and her money were gone without a trace.</p> </div> </div> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__small-items__one-item fadein-wrap"> <div class="crypto-frauds-wrap__crypto-frauds-items__small-items__one-item__content"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/crypto-frauds-boy.svg" alt="" /> <h3>A costly<br /> click</h3> <p>Warren is a dentist who was intrigued by online ads offering fantastic profits in crypto. He clicked on one ad and invested a small amount. He was impressed by how much his offshore online account was making. Being careful, he successfully withdrew $500. Warren then invested $25,000, confident his investment was safe. Later he tried to withdraw $3,000, and he was told to pay $1,500 to cover fees. After paying, the company stopped responding to his emails and Warren never recovered any of his money.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="contact-details fadein-wrap"> <h2>Concerns? The OSC is here to help.</h2> <p>Call us: <a href="tel:1-877-785-1555">1-877-785-1555</a> Email us: <a href="mailto:inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca">inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca</a></p> <p>Find <a href="https://www.osc.ca/en/industry/registration-and-compliance/registered-crypto-asset-trading-platforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">registered crypto asset trading platforms in Ontario</a></p> <p>You can also get more information at <a href="https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca</a></p> </section> <section class="key-takeaways"> <div class="key-takeaways__speech-bubble-wrap fadein-wrap"> <div class="key-takeaways__speech-bubble"> <p>Protect yourself by learning more about the <a href="https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/protect-your-money/fraud/types-of-fraud/red-flags-of-crypto-fraud/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">red flags of crypto fraud.</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="key-takeaways__image"> <lottie-player src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/themes/osc-crypto/assets/animations-json/osc-frauds-02-lrg.json" background="transparent" speed="1" loop autoplay></lottie-player> </div> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/themes/osc-crypto/assets/images/left-shape-navy-color.svg" alt="" class="key-takeaways__shape-image"> </section> <a class="up-next-wrap" href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/glossary/" target="_self"> <p>Up next:</p> <span>05 GLOSSARY</span> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/themes/osc-crypto/assets/images/arrow-right-white.svg" alt="Go to next page link"> </a> </main> <footer class="main-footer"> <section class="main-footer__social-wrap"> <div class="main-footer__social-wrap__social"> <h3>Connect with us</h3> <ul> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/smarter_money" target="_blank"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-twitter-2.svg" alt="Twitter icon" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/getsmarteraboutmoney/" target="_blank"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-instagram.svg" alt="Instagram icon" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GetSmarterAboutMoney" target="_blank"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-facebook.svg" alt="Facebook icon" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="mailto:inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca" target="_self"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-mail.svg" alt="Email icon" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="tel:18777851555" target="_self"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/social-icon-phone.svg" alt="Phone icon" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="main-footer__social-wrap__contact"> <ul> <li><a href="tel:1-877-785-1555">Tel: 1-877-785-1555</a></li> <li><a href="mailto:inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca">Email: inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca</a></li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="main-footer__footer-links"> <h3>Tools and resources</h3> <div class="menu-menu-2-container"><ul id="footer-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-317" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-317"><a href="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/glossary/">Glossary</a></li> <li id="menu-item-318" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-318"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.osc.ca/en/industry/registration-and-compliance/registered-crypto-asset-trading-platforms">Registered crypto asset trading platforms</a></li> <li id="menu-item-319" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-319"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.osc.ca/en/investors/investor-warnings-and-alerts">Investor warnings and alerts</a></li> <li id="menu-item-320" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-320"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.osc.ca/en/investors/check-before-you-invest">Check before you invest</a></li> <li id="menu-item-321" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-321"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/">GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca</a></li> </ul></div> </section> <section class="main-footer__legal"> <div class="main-footer__legal__images"> <a href="https://www.osc.ca/en" target="_blank"> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ontario-securities-commision-investor-office-logo.png" alt="Ontario Securities Commission - Investor Office logo" /> </a> <img src="https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/OntarioCoatOfArms_White-1.svg" alt="" /> </div> <div class="main-footer__legal__links"> <div class="menu-menu-3-container"><ul id="footer-legal-links" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-322" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-322"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.osc.ca/en/legal">Legal</a></li> <li id="menu-item-323" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-323"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.osc.ca/en/accessibility-osc">Accessibility Policy</a></li> </ul></div> </div> <div class="main-footer__legal__copyright"> ©Ontario Securities Commission 2025 </div> </section> </footer> </div> <script src="https://unpkg.com/@lottiefiles/lottie-player@latest/dist/lottie-player.js"></script> <script src="https://unpkg.com/swiper@8/swiper-bundle.min.js"></script> <script src='https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/themes/osc-crypto/js/jquery-3.6.0.min.js?ver=1.0.0' id='osc-crypto-jquery-js'></script> <script src='https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/themes/osc-crypto/js/navigation.js?ver=1.0.0' id='osc-crypto-navigation-js'></script> <script src='https://getsmarteraboutcrypto.ca/wp-content/themes/osc-crypto/js/global.js?ver=1.0.0' id='osc-crypto-global-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> (function() { var expirationDate = new Date(); expirationDate.setTime( expirationDate.getTime() + 31536000 * 1000 ); document.cookie = "pll_language=en; expires=" + expirationDate.toUTCString() + "; path=/; secure; SameSite=Lax"; }()); </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Crypto Frauds - GetSmarterAboutCrypto.ca