High riskCrypto & Investment

ICO Presale Scam

In this scam, a new token presale or ICO promises huge gains at launch, taking your crypto for tokens that are worthless, never delivered, or part of a project that vanishes after raising funds.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Token presale / ICO fraud
Main red flag
A token presale promising guaranteed launch gains, pushed via hype and urgency.
What to do first
Research the team, contract, and audits independently before sending any crypto.

What to know first

In this scam, a new token presale or ICO promises huge gains at launch, taking your crypto for tokens that are worthless, never delivered, or part of a project that vanishes after raising funds.

Crypto and investment scams promise high or guaranteed returns with little risk, usually through fake platforms that display staged gains. Small test withdrawals build trust before you are pushed to invest more, then blocked from withdrawing behind endless "fees" and "taxes".

The core pattern to watch for is clear: A token presale promising guaranteed launch gains, pushed via hype and urgency. Research the team, contract, and audits independently before sending any crypto.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Rug Pull Scam and the NFT Mint Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Crypto & Investment Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

$4.6B
reported lost to investment scams in the US in 2023, the top fraud category by losses
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$1B+
in cryptocurrency reported lost to scams between 2021 and mid-2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Tell-tale red flags

  • Promises of guaranteed gains at launch
  • Pressure to buy a 'limited' presale allocation
  • An anonymous team and unaudited contract
  • Hype-driven marketing and countdowns
  • No verifiable roadmap or product

Staying safe

  • Research the team, contract, and independent audits
  • Be sceptical of guaranteed launch gains and hype
  • Use a separate wallet with limited funds for anything experimental
  • Report suspected fraud to your regulator

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Get in early on our presale before the price 100x at launch! Limited allocation, send crypto now to secure tokens.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: A token presale promising guaranteed launch gains, pushed via hype and urgency.

Steps if you already acted

  • If you sent crypto, recovery is unlikely, but report it
  • Revoke any token approvals you granted
  • Keep records of wallets and transactions
  • Be wary of recovery scams that follow

Common mistakes

  • Do not buy presales on hype and guarantees
  • Do not trust anonymous teams or unaudited contracts
  • Do not send crypto under time pressure

Scams like this one

High risk Crypto & Investment

Rug Pull Scam

In a rug pull, developers heavily promote a new crypto token or project to attract investment and push the price up, then suddenly sell their holdings and abandon it, leaving investors with tokens they cannot sell.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Crypto & Investment

NFT Mint Scam

NFT mint scams ride the hype around a new collection or surprise drop. A link, usually shared on social media or in a Discord or Telegram, leads to a fake mint site or a malicious smart contract. When you connect your wallet and approve the transaction, instead of minting an NFT you may sign away access that lets the attacker drain your tokens or transfer your existing NFTs. The hype and a ticking countdown are designed to make you approve quickly without checking.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Crypto & Investment

Crypto Airdrop Scam

This scam offers a free 'airdrop' of tokens, but to claim them you are told to connect your crypto wallet to a site or approve a transaction, which can grant access that drains your wallet.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Are token presales and ICOs safe?
Many are high-risk or outright scams, taking funds for tokens that are worthless or never launch. Research the team, contract, and audits before sending crypto.
What are the warning signs?
Guaranteed launch gains, anonymous teams, unaudited contracts, hype and countdowns, and no verifiable product or roadmap.
I sent crypto to a presale. What now?
Recovery is difficult. Revoke token approvals, keep records, report it to your regulator, and avoid recovery scams that target victims.
How can I reduce risk?
Research thoroughly, verify audits and the team, use a separate low-value wallet, and avoid hype-driven, time-pressured presales.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.