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ETFs have become a hot topic in the cryptocurrency world after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved applications for a multi-spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) from the world’s largest financial institutions such as BlackRock and Fidelity.
The SEC’s decision was seen as a watershed moment for Bitcoin, which catapulted the asset class firmly into mainstream finance and led to a surge in interest from retail investors.
The downside to all this is that scammers are taking advantage of the new-found enthusiasm for cryptocurrencies, under the guise of various ETF schemes and offerings to trick investors into parting with their hard-earned cash.
Cryptocurrency Advisor We have been receiving more and more reports from people who have received phishing emails or been approached by someone they met online encouraging them to invest in Bitcoin ETFs.
Often, these approaches involve fraudsters trying to steal the identities of well-known companies in the cryptocurrency ETF space.
Fake Bitcoin ETF Scam
The cryptocurrency industry is already filled with scams of all shapes and sizes, with fake exchanges, mining pools, decentralized applications (DApps), and tokens at the center. The Bitcoin ETF scam is the latest iteration of this.
The scams reported so far follow a similar pattern to the scams that occur every week.
The victim may have responded to a phishing email or fake ad they saw online, or may have been introduced to an ETF ‘investment’ by someone they met online.
In the latter case, this is usually someone you randomly contacted through social media and struck up a friendship that then developed into a romantic relationship.
Often, victims will be pressured to invest by someone who is likely not who they say they are and who will encourage them to invest using a variety of tricks, including emotional blackmail.
Fake ETF Platform
Once victims are convinced to invest, they are redirected to a fake platform offering Bitcoin and cryptocurrency ETF products or are asked to set up a self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet.
In the latter case, victims are instructed to link their wallet to the DApp, which allows fraudsters to drain the deposited funds from the wallet.
They may also spoof ETF balances to give the impression that everything is ok, but if victims try to cash out their investments, they will be unable to do so.
You may be asked to pay fees or taxes to secure the sale of your ETF products, but this money will also be stolen and your funds will never be returned.
Fake Bitcoin ETF Token Scam
Another ETF scam that is becoming increasingly common is the Bitcoin ETF token scam.
This is where nefarious actors set up worthless tokens and tout them as being linked to ETF products or trick people into investing in tokens that don’t exist at all.
Victims are directed to fake platforms where they can purchase tokens or invest in non-existent ETFs in an attempt to capitalize on the surge in interest in ETFs.
In the former case, developers will overestimate the value of the token before performing a lug pull that steals investor funds and depletes the liquidity pool.
If the tokens don’t actually exist, scammers will just disappear with your money and shut down the platform.
Fake Bitcoin ETF Scam Spotted
Scams can be difficult to spot, especially since scammers go to great lengths to make it seem like they are real.
However, you should always do your due diligence and check your investments thoroughly before parting with your cash.
We’ve written extensively about how to spot cryptocurrency scams on our guides and resources page, but you should do your own research as well.
When in doubt, don’t part with your cash and don’t invest in something you don’t fully understand.
Keep in mind that genuine Bitcoin and cryptocurrency ETFs are highly regulated products with strict checks and balances.
If you are interested in investing in any type of ETF, make sure you only deal with well-known, registered providers.
Anyone you meet on social media who pressures you to invest in cryptocurrency ETFs is likely a scammer.