Open enough clone investment sites and the costumes blur together: AI trading bots, AI staking pools, “hashrate contracts”, e-commerce profit shares, click-task wages. Different logos, often the same layout — deposit, watch a rising balance, withdraw a teaser, then hit a wall of fees. Researchers who have compared large batches of these platforms describe the same playbook adapted into many languages. The wrapper is fashion; the cash flow is not.
How to check without a PhD: search the exact domain plus “scam” and the company number if any; open a claimed licence on the regulator’s own site, not a PDF on theirs; refuse any “manager” who moves you off the website into WhatsApp for deposits. Real brokers and real staking services do not need you to tip a mystery wallet to “activate AI mode”. If the only proof of profit is a screenshot they sent you, assume it is theatre until you control a withdrawal on-chain or to your own bank.
If this pattern matches an offer you saw, start at Get help. If someone promises to claw the deposit back for another payment, read Fake recovery.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal or financial advice. Details change. If you have lost money, contact your bank or card issuer and use the routes on the help pages.