$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Coinbase fake listing alert scam
Scammers announce fake cryptocurrency listings on Coinbase to pump worthless tokens, then dump them after victims buy in based on the false news.
“bitcoin scam”
↑ 72%Key indicators
Usually targetsCryptocurrency investors
Often hitsEducators and students
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$4.6K
median reported loss
Typical range$240 – $180K
Recovery rate~3%
Annual reports69,461
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers accumulate large quantities of a low-value token, then spread fake announcements that Coinbase will list it.
2
The false news drives buying pressure from retail investors who believe the listing will increase the token's value.
3
Once the price rises, scammers sell their holdings at a profit, crashing the price and leaving victims with worthless tokens.
What to do first
Check official Coinbase channels — blog.coinbase.com and the official Coinbase Twitter/X account — for legitimate listing announcements.
Related terms
fake Coinbase listingcrypto pump and dumpCoinbase new coin scamCryptocurrency scamsCoinbaseStableCryptocurrency investorsActive tradersYoung adultsEducators and studentsInvestors and tradersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadafake Coinbase listingcrypto pump and dump
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Emily, 35, a cryptocurrency investors, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate cryptocurrency scams situation while using Coinbase. Scammers accumulate large quantities of a low-value token, then spread fake announcements that Coinbase will list it.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The false news drives buying pressure from retail investors who believe the listing will increase the token's value.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Once the price rises, scammers sell their holdings at a profit, crashing the price and leaving victims with worthless tokens.
The outcome
Emily realized something was wrong when announcement about a new coinbase listing comes from social media accounts or telegram groups rather than official coinbase channels. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Check official Coinbase channels — blog.coinbase.com and the official Coinbase Twitter/X account — for legitimate listing announcements. Emily's experience shows why announcement about a new coinbase listing comes from social media accounts or telegram groups rather than official coinbase channels and the token can only be purchased through a specific decentralized exchange link provided in the announcement are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Announcement about a new Coinbase listing comes from social media accounts or Telegram groups rather than official Coinbase channels
- The token can only be purchased through a specific decentralized exchange link provided in the announcement
- There is extreme urgency to buy before the price 'skyrockets' after the official listing
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Check official Coinbase channels — blog.coinbase.com and the official Coinbase Twitter/X account — for legitimate listing announcements.
- ✓Never buy tokens based on unverified listing rumors from social media, Telegram, or Discord groups.
- ✓Report fake listing announcements to the platform where you saw them and to the SEC at sec.gov/tcr.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- A 2023 Chainalysis report found that pump-and-dump schemes involving fake exchange listing announcements affected tens of thousands of tokens and caused hundreds of millions in investor losses.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Check official Coinbase channels — blog.coinbase.com and the official Coinbase Twitter/X account — for legitimate listing announcements.
- ✓Never buy tokens based on unverified listing rumors from social media, Telegram, or Discord groups.
- ✓Report fake listing announcements to the platform where you saw them and to the SEC at sec.gov/tcr.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
A 2023 Chainalysis report found that pump-and-dump schemes involving fake exchange listing announcements affected tens of thousands of tokens and caused hundreds of millions in investor losses.
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Cryptocurrency investors, Active traders, Young adults
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea
Primary channel
Coinbase — Cryptocurrency scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Cryptocurrency investors are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The ongoing nature of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- A 2023 Chainalysis report found that pump-and-dump schemes involving fake exchange listing announcements affected tens of thousands of tokens and caused hundreds of millions in investor losses.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about coinbase fake listing alert scam
How does the coinbase fake listing alert scam work?+
Scammers accumulate large quantities of a low-value token, then spread fake announcements that Coinbase will list it. The false news drives buying pressure from retail investors who believe the listing will increase the token's value. Once the price rises, scammers sell their holdings at a profit, crashing the price and leaving victims with worthless tokens.
What are the warning signs of coinbase fake listing alert scam?+
Announcement about a new Coinbase listing comes from social media accounts or Telegram groups rather than official Coinbase channels The token can only be purchased through a specific decentralized exchange link provided in the announcement There is extreme urgency to buy before the price 'skyrockets' after the official listing
What should I do if I encounter coinbase fake listing alert scam?+
Check official Coinbase channels — blog.coinbase.com and the official Coinbase Twitter/X account — for legitimate listing announcements. Never buy tokens based on unverified listing rumors from social media, Telegram, or Discord groups. Report fake listing announcements to the platform where you saw them and to the SEC at sec.gov/tcr.
Who is most at risk for coinbase fake listing alert scam?+
This scam primarily targets Cryptocurrency investors, Active traders, Young adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea and typically appears on Coinbase.
Is coinbase fake listing alert scam still active?+
Coinbase fake listing alert scam is currently on our watch list. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, KR. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.