How To Avoid Trading Bot Scams
What Are Trading Bot Scams?
Crypto trading bot scams are malicious schemes that try to access and steal crypto from cryptocurrency wallets.
They aim to exploit investors’ trust, leverage their technological enthusiasm, and ultimately steal their cryptocurrency through co-ordinated manipulation. Their goal is to drain the cryptocurrency wallets of their victims, siphon off the funds, and wash the coins as quickly as they can before being detected.
Most Common Trading Bots Scams
While we can tell you what crypto trading bot scams might look like, it’s better to give you some real examples.
BONKbot Scam Examples
In BONKbot’s case, scammers will try to replicate our channels to trick people into thinking they are us.
These are the laziest trading bot scammers, as they lack the ingenuity to even create their own funnels and schemes.
Here is our real bot:
Here are a bunch of imitation accounts designed to scam our community:
iEarn Bot is another example of a scandalous bot scam.
The “company” guaranteed continuous income to users, especially those with zero experience, that was “generated automatically through high-frequency models” (this is how bots work).
Unfortunately, a BBC investigation found that thousands of investors were misled and the company’s founder and strategic partners - those listed on the website at least - had never heard of the project.
The scam resulted in investors being unable to withdraw their funds, including those who had paid an extra 30% fee for withdrawals.
Mirror Trading International is another high-profile scam trading bot example, one that automated forex trades, or at least promised to.
Users simply had to deposit $100 or more of BTC and “sit back and relax” to enjoy daily growth. Sadly, all was not as it should be after taking in over $589m in donations from over 470,000 deposits, people were unable to withdraw their funds.
The CEO, Johann Steynberg vanished, and was later caught in Brazil and jailed. Unfortunately, only 1,281 BTC were ever reportedly recovered.
How Do Trading Bot Scams Work?
Knowing that you might be up against some smart bad guys, here are the main ways scammers might try and approach victims, which often work, and which you need to be on high alert for:
False Promises: Scammers will create legitimate looking profiles, with professional websites, and professional promises. Unfortunately, it’s a façade, and the “guaranteed” high returns that their crypto trading bots might be offering are nothing more than an unprofessional fairytale.
Social Engineering: Almost every elaborate trading bot scam will involve social media networks of fake materials, especially testimonials and social proof of success. These are intended to validate their methods, but really, they’re a tool for manipulation.
Fake Metrics & Fake Screenshots: Unfortunately, it’s incredibly easy to create fake trading histories, photoshopped profit screenshots, and imaginary account balances. The enticing trading bot profits lure people in, giving scammers the chance to steal investments.
Fake Referrals: Some scammers have got so brazenly confident that they convince unsuspecting victims to actually go out and recruit additional victims, all without knowing it! These pyramid-shaped structures can end up scamming people for billions and making you an enemy of the world - just look at Ruja Ignatova!
There’s a high level of complexity used within the most cunning crypto trading bot scams. They often leverage different advanced manipulation and deception techniques to steal from victims.
Tips for Avoiding Trading Bot Scams
The main security you have against trading bot scams is your private key.
It is the most SACRED and important piece of information you have in crypto.
NEVER share it with ANYONE under ANY circumstances. That’s rule number one.
The moment you share it with anyone, you invite scammers to DRAIN your WALLET.
Here are your practical safeguards, things that keep you safe from trading bot scams.
Established Providers: Stick to reputable trading bots, like BONKbot, which has a huge user base, proven track record, and transparent operations.
DYOR: Do Your Own Research and investigate platform backgrounds, compliance reports and audits, the associated team, and look for independent reviews.
Be Skeptical, Always: “Free” bots with “Guaranteed” returns are red flags. When it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Secure Exchanges: You can do further research into a bot to learn if it’s legit, if it has robust security infrastructure, if it has a comprehensive audit trail, or if it is compliant with regulations.
2FA: Two-Factor Authentication has proven to be a strong barrier against unauthorized access to your account, reducing break risks from scammers.
Track Account Activity: You can see what your trading bot is doing and look for suspicious patterns.
Start Small: You can test crypto trading bots with minimal investments before you commit large amounts. This approach will help you to verify the legitimacy without risking any substantial capital.
Stay Safe Out There!
While exciting, the crypto world can be treacherous, and your financial security hinges on how well you protect your private key.
The main point and method to staying safe from trading bot scams is to always, always, do your research, find the original websites and don't trust people on the internet.