--- title: "Crypto investment scams and fake celebrity ads | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/crypto-investment-scams source: TapSafely description: "Guaranteed returns, deepfake celebrity ads and platforms that won't let you withdraw. How investment scams work and how to check before you invest." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/ Crypto and investment scams # Crypto and investment scams An ad shows a famous person “revealing” a trading platform. A friendly stranger on social media shares their crypto profits. The dashboard shows your money growing, until you try to withdraw it. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 · 3 min read ## In short Guaranteed returns, deepfake celebrity ads and platforms that won't let you withdraw. How investment scams work and how to check before you invest. **Top warning signs:** Guaranteed or very high returns; Celebrity endorsement in an ad; Pressure to deposit more, fast. **First thing to do:** Check the company on your financial regulator's register and warning list, such as the SEC/CFTC in the US, the FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia, SEBI in India or CVM in Brazil, before investing anything. Example · Social media ad · Illustrative, links disabled Sponsored “I turned £250 into £8,400 in 3 weeks.” BREAKING: TV presenter reveals the AI trading platform banks don't want you to know about. Guaranteed daily profits. Spaces limited, register today. An example scam message with the warning signs highlighted. ## How the scam works Scam platforms look like real trading apps. After a small deposit, a “personal account manager” calls, often from abroad, and encourages bigger deposits. The balance shown is fake. When you ask to withdraw, you're told to pay a “tax”, “unlock fee” or “verification deposit” first. Paying it only leads to another fee. Deepfake videos and fake news articles featuring celebrities, business leaders or TV hosts are used to build trust. These people have not endorsed the product. In long-con versions, sometimes called “pig butchering”, a scammer builds a friendship or romance over weeks before introducing the investment. ## Red flags to look for - **Guaranteed or very high returns.** No legitimate investment guarantees profits, let alone daily ones. - **Celebrity endorsement in an ad.** Assume it's fake. Celebrities regularly warn about this. - **Pressure to deposit more, fast.** “The window closes tonight.” - **Fees to withdraw your own money.** This is the clearest sign of all. - **Asked to install remote access software “to help you trade”.** This gives them control of your device and your bank. ## What to do if you get one 1. Check the company on your financial regulator's register and warning list, such as the **SEC/CFTC** in the US, the **FCA** in the UK, **ASIC** in Australia, **SEBI** in India or **CVM** in Brazil, before investing anything. 2. Search the platform name plus “scam” or “reviews”, and check how old its website is with our link checker. 3. Never let anyone else control your computer or open accounts on your behalf. ## If you already paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. Stop sending money, including any “fees” to release your balance. 2. Contact your bank or card provider and report to the police and your financial regulator. 3. Be ready for recovery scams: people who promise to get your money back for a fee. [Read how they work](https://tapsafely.com/scams/recovery-scams). More help: [what to do after a scam, and where to report it in your country](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Questions people ask The app shows my balance growing. Isn't that proof it's real? No. The numbers are controlled by the scammers. The only real test is withdrawing, and scam platforms always find a reason you can't. Can I report a fake celebrity ad? Yes. Use the platform's “report ad” option. Reports help get them removed faster. ## Official sources and further reading We check our guides against advice from government agencies and consumer protection bodies. - [Investment scams](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/investment-scams) (Scamwatch, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) - [Crypto investment scams](https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart/cryptoasset-investment-scams) (UK Financial Conduct Authority) - [What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-and-scams) (US Federal Trade Commission) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### On this page 1. [How it works](#how) 2. [Red flags](#red-flags) 3. [What to do](#what-to-do) 4. [If you already paid](#already-paid) 5. [Questions](#faq) 6. [Sources](#sources) ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report?category=investment) ## Related guides [Guide ### Romance scams An online partner who can't meet or video call, then needs money. Learn the warning signs of romance scams and how to ta… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/romance-scams)[Guide ### Fund-recovery scams After a scam, people are often targeted again by fake lawyers, hackers or agencies promising to recover lost money for a… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/recovery-scams)[Guide ### Task-based job scams A recruiter offers easy remote work rating products or liking videos. Then you have to pay to unlock your earnings. Lear… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/task-job-scams)