A recent example is SQUID, a cryptocurrency coin named after the TV drama “Squid Game.” After the new coin skyrocketed in price, its creatorsA variation on this scam involves enticing investors to be among the first to purchase a new cryptocurrency – a process called an initial coin offering – with promises of large and fast returns. But unlike the SQUID offering, no coins are ever issued, and would-be investors are left empty-handed.
As with all risky financial ventures, anyone considering buying cryptocurrency should follow the age-old advice to thoroughly research the offer. Who is behind the offering? What is known about the company? Is a white paper, an informational document issued by a company outlining the features of its product, available?In the SQUID case, one warning sign was that investors who had bought the coins were unable to sell them.
In the recent past, scammers would request wire transfers or gift cards to receive money – as they are irreversible, anonymous, and untraceable. However, such payment methods do require potential victims to leave their homes, where they might encounter a third party who can intervene and possibly stop them. Crypto, on the other hand, can be purchased from anywhere at any time.