THE GEN C:\> SCAN AI-TRADING-BOT
AI Trading Bot & Crypto Scams
Ads, influencers, or new online friends promise an AI-powered trading bot or crypto platform with huge or guaranteed returns. The CFTC warns AI can't predict the market, and the dashboard showing your "profits" can be fake. When you try to withdraw, you can't, or you're told to pay fees.
"Our AI trading bot made members 10% a week, guaranteed. Start with just $250 in crypto. Spots close tonight!"
Red flags
- Guaranteed returns or "zero risk"
- Must pay or deposit in cryptocurrency
- Celebrity endorsements or glowing testimonials (easily faked)
- Can't withdraw without paying more fees
What to do
- Only scammers guarantee profits.
- Research the company plus words like "scam" or "complaint"; check how old the website is.
- Get a second opinion from a financial advisor or someone you trust.
Where to report it
- Report to the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Report to the CFTC: cftc.gov/complaint
- Report to the SEC: sec.gov/tcr
- Report to the FBI: ic3.gov
Got a message like this right now? Paste it into the free Scam Radar checker to see the red flags. It runs in your browser and never saves your message.
Know someone who'd fall for this?
Scammers count on people not talking about it. Send this guide to a parent, a friend, or the family group chat.
Related scams
Keep your family safe
Copy a ready-made prompt from the Staying safe prompts, like setting up a family code word or locking down your accounts. Want an AI helper you can trust? Try the AI Finder quiz.
Sources
- CFTC Customer Advisory: AI Won't Turn Trading Bots into Money Machines
- FTC: What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams
- FBI IC3 PSA I-120324-PSA: Criminals Use Generative AI to Facilitate Financial Fraud (Dec 3, 2024)
Last checked: 2026-10-19. General education, not legal or financial advice. Sample messages are made up.