How to Avoid Scams in Crypto Presales

Unfortunately, the crypto space has had many scandals related to fraud and scams. The most notorious ones were during the 2017 ICO boom and again during the bull run of 2021. As the industry grows and evolves, new safety measures are being built, but you still need to stay alert as a savvy crypto investor.

Why Are Crypto Presales Targeted By Scammers?

Presales are often the easiest place for fraud. Why? Because at this stage, a project team can present an idea, collect their funds, and never actually list the tokens, or simply run away with the money. This type of exit is widely known as a rug pull.

Other scams are more subtle. Some teams list their tokens only to create pump-and-dump schemes, where founders hold the majority of the supply and crash the market after selling. In even more advanced cases, risky mechanisms are hidden directly inside the project’s tokenomics itself.

What Are The Most Common Presale Scams?

The scams you’ll see in presales are usually tied to the risks of the presale itself. The biggest ones come directly from the project team. In these cases, the intention is simple: raise funds and then run away with the money.

The way this can happen varies:

• The team asks for funds but never delivers tokens during the token generation event.
• Tokens are sent to your wallet, but they are never listed on an exchange.
• Once listed, the team dumps a massive amount of tokens without a clear vesting schedule, crashing the price.

This is where common terms in the crypto space come from:

• Rug pull: The project “pulls the rug out” from under you by disappearing with funds or dumping tokens.
• Dump: The team sells their tokens immediately after listing, leaving investors with assets that have lost value overnight.

Other scams are linked to platforms themselves. If you invest through a launchpad that isn’t legitimate, you risk both fraud and exposure to smart contract hacks. (We have a blog on how to spot a legitimate launchpad to help with this.)

Finally, there are the social media scams. Fake Telegram groups, Discord servers, or X accounts often impersonate real projects, promising high returns while asking for your wallet details or even offering to “manage” your funds directly.

These are the most common scams you’ll come across in presales, and being aware of them is the first step to staying safe.

How To Spot A Fake Crypto Project

When you approach crypto projects, you need to be very careful. Since everything is digital, the space naturally attracts scams. A good rule of thumb is this: if the information feels inconsistent, incomplete, or the team is unresponsive, that is already a reason not to trust the project.

What Are Red Flags In A Token Presale?

• Promises of “get rich quick” or unrealistic ROI
• Anonymous or undoxxed founders
• A vague or generic whitepaper with no real details
• Social media activity is filled with bots instead of a genuine community
• Overhyped claims without a sustainable roadmap

While tokens in the early stage can sometimes deliver strong returns, nothing in crypto is risk-free. If promised rewards are not supported by real fundamentals, that value will not last.

Why Is Project Transparency So Important?

Transparency is one of the core principles of Web3. A legitimate project should openly share details about its founders, tokenomics, roadmap, and goals. If the team is hiding this information, it signals a lack of accountability and is a major red flag.

Tips To Stay Safe In The Crypto Presale Space

As a beginner, it can be difficult to evaluate every detail yourself. That’s why we always recommend using a platform, whether it’s a centralized exchange, a decentralized exchange, or a crypto launchpad (the Web3 version of a startup incubator).

Platforms add extra layers of safety, such as:

• Refund options
• Vesting schedules to prevent dumps
• A vetting process that protects their own reputation as well as investors

Additional tips:

• Always do your own research on the platform itself. Use tools like CryptoRank, read reviews, and check community discussions.
  
• Compare the differences between ICOs, IDOs, and launchpads; we have a full blog explaining which is safer for investors.

What Are Safe Payment Methods For Presales?

• Use a multi-chain wallet like MetaMask or TrustWallet, which are beginner-friendly and widely supported.
• Write down your passwords and seed phrases on paper; never store them only digitally.
• Consider a cold wallet, such as Ledger, for storing larger funds.
• Only contribute through official project links. Never trust random wallet addresses shared in DMs or Telegram groups.

Final Thoughts

Scams in crypto have been part of the headlines for years, especially during major bull cycles. But this shouldn’t discourage you from exploring the space. Instead, take it as motivation to learn and invest safely.

By educating yourself on red flags, using trusted platforms, and applying basic security practices, you can enjoy presales without falling for fraud.

For more tips, check out our other blogs,  and if you want to see what we’re working on, check our active sales on CoinTerminal. If you ever have questions, our team is available on Telegram to support you.