Crypto & Investment Scam Checker
Paste a suspicious investment offer, trading platform, or message and check it for fraud before you put in a cent.
Investment and crypto scams were the single largest category of reported fraud losses in the U.S. in 2024 — more than $5.7 billion. They promise high, guaranteed, or "risk-free" returns and often build trust over weeks before asking for money.
The most common version, sometimes called "pig butchering," begins with a friendly message or a wrong number, grows into a relationship, then introduces a trading platform or crypto opportunity. Fake dashboards show your balance growing — but when you try to withdraw, you are told to pay taxes or fees, and the money is already gone.
Spidanest examines the message, the platform link, and the surrounding pitch, checks any web addresses against threat databases, and uses AI to recognize the classic structure of investment fraud — then explains the risk in plain language.
Warning signs of an investment or crypto scam
Promises of guaranteed, high, or "risk-free" returns — legitimate investments never guarantee profits.
A stranger, online match, or "wrong number" contact who eventually mentions a trading or crypto opportunity.
Pressure to act fast on a "limited" opportunity or an "insider" tip.
A slick platform or app you were sent to directly, rather than a well-known, regulated exchange.
You can deposit easily, but withdrawing requires paying "taxes," "fees," or "unlocking" charges first.
Requests to pay in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfer, which cannot be reversed.
How to protect yourself from investment fraud
Scan the pitch and platform
Paste the message and any platform link into Spidanest to check for known fraud signals and malicious sites.
Distrust guaranteed returns
No legitimate investment can guarantee profits. "Guaranteed" or "risk-free" high returns are the defining mark of a scam.
Verify the platform is regulated
Check whether the firm is registered with the proper authorities (in the U.S., the SEC or FINRA). If you cannot independently confirm it, do not invest.
Never pay to withdraw
Being asked to pay taxes or fees before you can withdraw your "profits" is always a scam. Stop immediately and do not send more money.
Not sure? Check it in seconds.
Paste the offer, platform link, or message into the scanner. Spidanest returns a clear risk score, a threat tier, and a plain-English explanation of exactly what it found — free to start.
Scan it free nowFrequently asked questions
How do I know if a crypto or investment offer is a scam?
Watch for guaranteed or unusually high returns, pressure to act fast, an unfamiliar platform you were sent to directly, and any requirement to pay fees before withdrawing. Paste the offer or platform link into Spidanest to check it against known fraud signals.
What is a "pig butchering" scam?
It is a long-con investment scam where the fraudster builds a friendship or romance over weeks, then introduces a fake trading or crypto platform. Your balance appears to grow, but you can never withdraw — and eventually the money and the person vanish.
I already sent money to an investment scam — what can I do?
Stop all further payments, especially any "fees" to withdraw. Contact your bank or the payment provider immediately, gather all records, and report it to the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) and the FBI’s IC3 (ic3.gov). Act quickly — speed matters for any chance of recovery.