What are the first things you check when you investigate a new cryptocurrency?

[americanpegasus]

For me:  
  
1. I immediately check the algorithm.  Is it POS (instant turn off), or some other gobblegook?  If it sounds unique, I'll give it a chance.  
  
2. IPO or even worse: pre-mine??    Do not pass go, do not collect 200 bits.  FOAD.  
  
3. Does it have a healthy community with a professional website, whitepaper, and non-shillbot comments?
  

[louiseth1]

I usually google the known nodes for the new coin to see if they are common with any other coins.

Back then, we debunked a lot of scamcoins that way.

[americanpegasus]

Sorry mods, I'm drunk.  I meant to post this in Altcoin Discussion.  Feel free to delete this.

[jimlite]

Well a NOT brand new forum account helps. Then of course the coin metrics, devs plan, and english/professional ANN.

[Riseman]

It is usually quite obvious from the ANN whether it is some real project trying to achieve something or a bunch of bullshit put together to attract gullible "investors". The other thing is that scams often do better than good projects on the market, which is sad.