$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
NFT marketplace fraud scam
Scammers create fake NFT marketplaces or counterfeit NFT listings on real platforms, selling stolen art or worthless tokens to unsuspecting collectors.
“bitcoin scam”
↑ 72%Key indicators
Usually targetsNFT collectors
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionGlobal
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 clone popular NFT marketplace interfaces or list counterfeit versions of popular collections on legitimate platforms
2
Buyers purchase what they believe are authentic NFTs but receive tokens linked to stolen or AI-generated artwork with no real value
3
Some fake marketplaces also deploy wallet drainer contracts during the purchase flow
What to do first
Verify NFT collection contract addresses through the official project website before purchasing
Related terms
fake NFT listingcounterfeit NFT marketplacestolen art NFT scamCryptocurrency scamsWebsiteStableNFT collectorsCrypto investorsNew crypto usersSmall business ownersTech workers and developersCreators and online sellersGlobalfake NFT listingcounterfeit NFT marketplace
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Jessica, 35, a nft collectors, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate cryptocurrency scams situation while using Website. Scammers clone popular NFT marketplace interfaces or list counterfeit versions of popular collections on legitimate platforms
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Buyers purchase what they believe are authentic NFTs but receive tokens linked to stolen or AI-generated artwork with no real value
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Some fake marketplaces also deploy wallet drainer contracts during the purchase flow
The outcome
Jessica realized something was wrong when nft collection prices are dramatically lower than the official marketplace listing. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify NFT collection contract addresses through the official project website before purchasing Jessica's experience shows why nft collection prices are dramatically lower than the official marketplace listing and marketplace url does not match the well-known platform (opensea, blur, etc.) are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- NFT collection prices are dramatically lower than the official marketplace listing
- Marketplace URL does not match the well-known platform (OpenSea, Blur, etc.)
- Seller account was created recently and has no verifiable transaction history
- 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
- ✓Verify NFT collection contract addresses through the official project website before purchasing
- ✓Use only established marketplaces and check seller verification badges and transaction history
- ✓Report counterfeit listings to the marketplace platform and the original project team
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.
- The FBI has issued specific public service announcements about NFT fraud, citing criminal schemes that have defrauded victims of millions through fake NFT projects
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.
- ✓Verify NFT collection contract addresses through the official project website before purchasing
- ✓Use only established marketplaces and check seller verification badges and transaction history
- ✓Report counterfeit listings to the marketplace platform and the original project team
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.
The FBI has issued specific public service announcements about NFT fraud, citing criminal schemes that have defrauded victims of millions through fake NFT projects
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. Global has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
Report cross-border scams
econsumer.gov (ICPEN)
International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network portal for reporting cross-border online scams. Reports are shared with consumer protection agencies in 40+ countries.
Interpol financial crime guidance
Interpol
International policing guidance on online financial fraud, romance scams, and investment fraud operating across borders.
Report phishing emails
Anti-Phishing Working Group
Global industry coalition for reporting phishing emails and URLs. Forward phishing to [email protected].
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
NFT collectors, Crypto investors, New crypto users
Geographic concentration
Global
Primary channel
Website — Cryptocurrency scams
Why this group is vulnerable
NFT collectors 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
- The FBI has issued specific public service announcements about NFT fraud, citing criminal schemes that have defrauded victims of millions through fake NFT projects
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about nft marketplace fraud scam
How does the nft marketplace fraud scam work?+
Scammers clone popular NFT marketplace interfaces or list counterfeit versions of popular collections on legitimate platforms Buyers purchase what they believe are authentic NFTs but receive tokens linked to stolen or AI-generated artwork with no real value Some fake marketplaces also deploy wallet drainer contracts during the purchase flow
What are the warning signs of nft marketplace fraud scam?+
NFT collection prices are dramatically lower than the official marketplace listing Marketplace URL does not match the well-known platform (OpenSea, Blur, etc.) Seller account was created recently and has no verifiable transaction history
What should I do if I encounter nft marketplace fraud scam?+
Verify NFT collection contract addresses through the official project website before purchasing Use only established marketplaces and check seller verification badges and transaction history Report counterfeit listings to the marketplace platform and the original project team
Who is most at risk for nft marketplace fraud scam?+
This scam primarily targets NFT collectors, Crypto investors, New crypto users. It is most commonly reported in Global and typically appears on Website.
Is nft marketplace fraud scam still active?+
NFT marketplace fraud scam is currently on our watch list. It has been reported across US, UK, AU. 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.
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