The VeritasRadar 20-Point Scam Detection Checklist
Use this checklist before investing in any crypto project. Each red flag scored adds risk. Three or more red flags warrant extreme caution.
Documentation Red Flags
- Whitepaper contains text copied from other projects
- No technical documentation beyond marketing materials
- Roadmap has no specific dates or deliverables
- Token economics are vague or mathematically impossible
Team Red Flags
- Team members have no LinkedIn profiles or professional history
- Team photos appear AI-generated or stock
- No verifiable prior work in crypto or tech
- Anonymous founders with no accountability
Market Red Flags
- Not listed on CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap despite claims
- Trading volume appears fabricated
- Liquidity is locked by the team, not a third party
- No DEX listings despite claiming DeFi functionality
Technical Red Flags
- Smart contract is not verified on Etherscan/BSCScan
- Contract contains owner-only withdrawal or minting functions
- Claimed audits cannot be verified with the auditing firm
- GitHub repository is empty, forked, or has no real commits
Marketing Red Flags
- Guaranteed returns or fixed APY promises
- Countdown timers and urgency-based presale tactics
- Paid influencer endorsements with no disclosure
- Aggressive social media bots inflating engagement