I am researching cryptocurrency related fraud, in the light of understanding the means and mechanisms bad actors use in order to scam others. I think it is important to be aware of what is going on in the ecosystem, so we can be more careful as individuals (i.e. personal safety), but also utilise the information for prevention.
Crypto-related fraud currently makes up a small portion of all transactions, yet as the space continues to grow, there will be new and enticing opportunities for those who wish to commit fraud or scams.
I have started gathering some myself (see image above), but I am especially interested in smaller, and lesser known types of fraud, scams, or malicious behaviour; as well as more concrete modes of operation (e.g. Specific methods of smart contract fraud). I also welcome any recent examples of the frauds I already mentioned.
I have a work-in-progress categorisation that I am working with. It is not concrete, and some of the members of each category are debatable, but it is a developing framework.
- Crypto-enabled: Traditional crimes whose impact and scale can be increased in the context of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
- Crypto-dependent: Crimes which can only be committed in the context of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
- Crypto-motivated: Crimes (traditional or otherwise) that are perpetrated in which the end goal is related to the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
I am interested in any insight or suggestions anyone has. If you list a type of fraud, it would be nice if you could include a source of any type (article, discussion, etc.).