What Are the Common Crypto P2P Scams, and How Can You Avoid Them?

Crypto Peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions have gained popularity recently due to their convenience and ease of use. However, knowing the potential risks associated with P2P transfers is important. 

Based on feedback from our customer surveys, we have prepared this guide to offer insights into the common P2P scams in crypto transactions. We’ll also explore some essential tips to protect yourself from falling victim to these fraudulent activities.

 

Can a Person Scam You with P2P Transfers?

Yes, scammers can take advantage of P2P transfers to defraud unsuspecting victims. They may employ sophisticated tactics to manipulate transactions, misrepresent payments, or impersonate reputable platforms or individuals. By understanding the common crypto P2P scams, you can minimize the risk of falling prey to these fraudulent schemes.

 

How Do Crypto P2P Scams Work?

P2P scams exploit the trust and anonymity inherent in peer-to-peer transactions. Scammers use various techniques to deceive individuals and trick them into releasing funds or sensitive information. Understanding these scams and staying vigilant to safeguard your money and digital assets is crucial.

 

What Are the Common Crypto P2P Scams, and How to Spot Them?

 

Proof of Payment Scams

Scammers can digitally manipulate payment screenshots to falsely claim they have fulfilled their part of the transaction. They pressure you into releasing funds or digital assets without verifying the receipt of payment. 

 

SMS Scams

SMS scams are a type of proof of payment scam where fraudsters send SMS text messages to victims that appear similar to notifications sent by banks or wallet apps. The messages falsely claim that the victim has received a payment from their counterparty. 

Here’s how you can protect yourself from proof of payment scams:

1. Always check your bank account or e-wallet to confirm the receipt of funds before marking a transaction as complete..

2. Be cautious and skeptical if your counterparty insists on releasing funds before confirming the payment's arrival.

3. To avoid falling for SMS scams, always verify the receipt of funds by checking your bank account or crypto wallet directly rather than blindly trusting the content of the text message. 

 

Chargeback Scams

Fraudsters initiate chargebacks, retracting payments made to their counterparties. They may use third-party accounts to process payments, making it easier to reverse transactions. 

One such example is the counterparty offering to pay you with a cheque deposit. This is because requesting a chargeback from cheque payments is very easy, making it most likely a scam. 

To avoid chargeback scams:

1. Verify that the buyer's name on the payment details matches their verified name on the P2P platform.

2. Do not accept payments from third-party accounts, as they pose a higher risk of chargebacks.

3. If someone insists on paying via a cheque, consider it a red flag and file an appeal immediately.

 

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Scams

In this scam, a fraudster pretends to be a reputable merchant on KuCoin P2P and contacts victims through external channels, such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or social networks. They provide their bank account details and a link to a P2P ad and ask victims to confirm by copying them into the order page’s P2P chat. 

Unknowingly, the victim shares the scammer’s bank account details with an unrelated buyer on KuCoin P2P, who also has no clue about the scam. The victim releases crypto to the unrelated buyer, who sends their money to the scammer’s bank account instead.

Reversing a transaction or having the customer service team intervene and resolve the issue is impossible in such cases. Since the victim communicated with the fraudster and obtained the details via external communication outside the KuCoin platform, and the funds were transferred to a third-party account unconnected to KuCoin users, KuCoin’s customer support cannot offer a solution. 

To protect yourself from MitM scams, you must:

1.Only communicate within the P2P platform and avoid engaging in transactions outside of it.

2. Remind buyers that third-party transfers violate P2P transaction policies.

3. Double-check the counterparty's bank account details directly on the KuCoin P2P platform.

4. Do not trust offers or information received on external channels when making P2P trades on KuCoin. 

 

Triangle Scams

Triangle scams involve two scammers simultaneously placing orders with the same seller. They exploit the seller's trust and urgency to release funds without proper verification. 

Here’s how a triangle P2P scam unfolds: 

Scammer A makes an order for 5,000 USDT worth of crypto (order A), and Scammer B makes an order worth 6,000 USDT (order B). Scammer B then transfers 5,000 USDT to the seller. 

At the same time, Scammer A marks order A as paid. The seller releases the crypto to Buyer A, thus completing order A for 5,000 USDT. Scammer B sends another 1,000 USDT to the seller, provides the 5,000 USDT payment proof they got from Buyer A, and pressures the seller to release digital assets under order B. 

Users who conduct triangle scams aim to pressure the seller to release funds immediately without verifying the transfer. It can be easy to release funds without verifying who initiated the transfer. If you're not careful, you could release the funds twice but only receive half or less of the assets you bought. 

To avoid falling victim to triangle scams during P2P trading, you must:

1. Confirm the receipt of all funds from pending P2P transactions before releasing any assets.

2. Be cautious with proof of payment provided by counterparties, as scammers may attempt to reuse them.

 

KuCoin Imposter Scams

Scammers impersonate KuCoin employees to deceive users and steal their funds. They contact potential victims through unofficial emails or social media accounts, requesting personal information and initiating fraudulent transactions. 

They could ask you to share your email address on the P2P chat window, claiming that the KuCoin P2P Escrow service needs this information to confirm payment. They could then send you a phishing email similar to official KuCoin communication and trick you into releasing your crypto first to receive payment. 

To stay safe from KuCoin imposter scams, do the following:

1. KuCoin will never ask you to complete a P2P transaction via email. Always release funds only after receiving payment through the P2P platform.

2. Never share personal information or offline contact information on the chat. 

3. Ensure that payments are submitted using the counterparty's specified payment method and that the name on the account matches the counterparty's verified name on KuCoin..

4. Stay cautious of external offers or information received through unofficial channels. 

5. You can check the KuCoin Official Verification Center to confirm the authenticity of the relevant channels.  

 

Conclusion

While P2P transactions offer convenience, it's crucial to be aware of common scams and take necessary precautions to protect yourself. By understanding how these scams work and following the provided security tips, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to P2P fraud in the crypto market. 

Stay vigilant, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and always verify transactions and payment receipts before releasing any funds or digital assets. By following best practices, such as conducting transactions within KuCoin’s chat system, double-checking payment details, and reporting suspicious behavior to customer support, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to P2P crypto scams and protect your investments. 

 

Additional Security Tips From KuCoin 

1. Support: How to File an Appeal for P2P Scams 
2. Blog: Security 101: 5 General Security Considerations Every Crypto Investor Should Know
3. Blog: Everything You Need to Know About Account Security on KuCoin
4. Blog: KYC in Crypto User Information Security-Why It Matters
5. Support: How to Set Google 2FA on KuCoin
6. Blog: What is the Safest Way to Store Cryptocurrencies?