• About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Sunday, August 10, 2025
DeFi Planet
  • News
    • People
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Regulation
    • Crypto
    • CBDC
  • Markets
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Stablecoins
    • Altcoins
    • Crypto ETFs
    • Memecoins
  • Policy
  • Articles
    • Press Releases
    • Opinion
    • Explainers
    • Guest Post
    • Sponsored
  • Directory
    • Companies
    • People
    • Products
    • Wallets
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • Learn
    • DeFi Basics
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Blockchain Fundamentals
  • Research
    • Case Studies
  • Explore
    • DeFi
    • Crypto Gaming
    • NFT
    • DAO
    • Metaverses
    • Glossary
  • Jobs
  • Markets Pro
    • DeFi Planet Pro
    • Spend Crypto
    • Swap Crypto
    • Coin Prices
    • Crypto Exchanges
    • Crypto Analyzer
  • News
    • People
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Regulation
    • Crypto
    • CBDC
  • Markets
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Stablecoins
    • Altcoins
    • Crypto ETFs
    • Memecoins
  • Policy
  • Articles
    • Press Releases
    • Opinion
    • Explainers
    • Guest Post
    • Sponsored
  • Directory
    • Companies
    • People
    • Products
    • Wallets
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • Learn
    • DeFi Basics
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Blockchain Fundamentals
  • Research
    • Case Studies
  • Explore
    • DeFi
    • Crypto Gaming
    • NFT
    • DAO
    • Metaverses
    • Glossary
  • Jobs
  • Markets Pro
    • DeFi Planet Pro
    • Spend Crypto
    • Swap Crypto
    • Coin Prices
    • Crypto Exchanges
    • Crypto Analyzer
No Result
View All Result
DeFi Planet
No Result
View All Result
Home Articles

Why Do People Keep Falling for Meme Coin Scams?

20 April 2025
in Articles, Opinion
Reading Time: 7 mins read
115 1
Why Do People Keep Falling for Meme Coin Scams?

Contents

Toggle
  • The Hype Trap: How FOMO Blinds Investors
  • The Illusion of Community: How Scammers Exploit Trust
  • Skipping Research: The Appeal of Easy Wins
  • How Not to Fall for Meme Coin Scams
      • Tools and Resources to Detect Fraud Before Investing
  • Final Thoughts

Last updated on May 27th, 2025 at 01:16 pm

In the chaotic crypto landscape, memecoins represent its most extreme sector. At times, they turn regular people into overnight millionaires; other times, they leave them broke and full of regret. With so many cautionary tales, you’d expect investors to be more wary. New meme coins launch every day, and people keep throwing their money in. 

Look at Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, who recently endorsed the $LIBRA meme coin on social media, claiming it would boost economic growth. Investors jumped in, and the coin’s market cap briefly hit $4 billion. Then, like clockwork, the price crashed, leaving thousands with devastating losses and Milei facing fraud allegations.

Or take the case of influencer Jack Doherty, who allegedly bought large amounts of the McLaren (MCLAREN) meme coin with multiple wallets before hyping it up to his followers. The price soared—until he dumped his holdings mid-livestream, causing it to tank while he walked away with profits.

If meme coins have become a breeding ground for scams, why are people still willing to gamble their savings on them? Are they blinded by greed? Do they underestimate the risks? Or is there something deeper at play? Let’s find out some of these reasons.

The Hype Trap: How FOMO Blinds Investors

In 2024 alone, more than $500 million was lost to meme coin scams, according to Merkle Science. A major driver? Hype-fueled FOMO.

Social platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, and Reddit are packed with viral success stories—often amplified by influencers—that suggest turning a few hundred dollars into millions is just one meme coin away. This triggers FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), where people buy in not because of research but because they don’t want to miss the next big thing. This emotional pull is so strong it overrides logic

When you see others piling into a meme coin and making fast gains, resisting the urge to follow becomes almost impossible. This is the power of herd psychology. FOMO short-circuits rational thinking. People ignore obvious red flags—anonymous developers, vague roadmaps, or token distributions skewed toward insiders—because they fear missing the next big thing.

TRUMP and PEPE are prime examples. Both coins saw explosive, short-term gains that drew in latecomers chasing returns—only to crash within days. These cycles repeat because people mistake hype for legitimacy and let social proof guide their decisions.

The Illusion of Community: How Scammers Exploit Trust

Many meme coins market themselves as “community-driven” to build trust and lower skepticism. This taps into a psychological need for belonging—people feel safer when they think others like them are part of a shared mission.

But this illusion is often manufactured. Scammers use influencer promotions, group chats, and bot activity to simulate engagement and community growth. Investors mistake this buzz for authenticity.

Once enough people buy in, insiders dump their tokens, and the coin crashes. Investors are left shocked—not just by their losses but by the betrayal of a community they thought was real.

Consider $DADDY, in which on-chain analysis from Bubblemaps revealed significant insider trading after its launch. Insiders allegedly acquired 30% of the token’s supply, worth over $45 million at peak. Additionally, 11 Binance-linked wallets purchased 20% of the supply before the token was promoted on X, allowing select insiders to make huge profits at the expense of everyday investors.

Revealed Wallets Buying DADDY Token. Source: Bubblemaps

Skipping Research: The Appeal of Easy Wins

In the meme coin world, proper research often takes a back seat. Why? Because the promise of quick returns outweighs the perceived need for due diligence. Many investors think, “If others are making money without reading the whitepaper, I can too.”

This mindset leads people to pour funds into projects with red flags: anonymous developers, no liquidity lockups, unverified teams, and token allocations that heavily favour insiders. But greed—amplified by social media hype—drowns out the warning signs.

What’s often overlooked is how the crypto ecosystem itself incentivizes this behaviour. As we have previously argued multiple times, the race for attention and profits encourages risky launches, influencer shills, and FOMO-fueled investing. Meme coin projects are often designed to benefit early insiders, not long-term holders.

READ MORE: 

  • The Dark Side of Crypto Incentives: How They Fuel Fraud and Unsustainability
  • Crypto Scams Are Never Going Away. Here is Why

People don’t just fall for meme coin scams because they’re uninformed—they fall because the system rewards those who act fast, not those who ask questions.

How Not to Fall for Meme Coin Scams

While meme coins can be fun and even profitable for some, it’s crucial to exercise caution. So how can you check if a meme coin is legit?:

Beware of excessive social media hype

If a coin is being aggressively promoted by influencers but lacks development progress or a clear purpose, it’s likely a pump-and-dump scheme.

Verify the team behind the project

Transparency is key. Avoid projects with anonymous developers, as they can easily disappear with investors’ funds. Research the team members’ backgrounds and previous work in the crypto space.

Examine the whitepaper and roadmap

A legitimate project should have a clear, well-written whitepaper outlining its purpose, technology, and future plans. Be wary of vague, jargon-filled documents or missing whitepapers.

Analyze token distribution, Check for liquidity lockups

A fair token distribution is crucial. If a handful of wallets control most of the supply, there’s a high risk of price manipulation or sudden dumps that can crash the token’s value.

Ensure that the project has locked liquidity, which prevents developers from pulling all funds and abandoning the project (a rug pull). 

Tools and Resources to Detect Fraud Before Investing

  • TokenSniffer: Scans smart contracts for vulnerabilities, rug pull risks, and copied code from previous scams.
  • Etherscan/BscScan: Allows you to analyze wallet holdings, transaction histories, and token distribution for suspicious activity.
  • Reddit & Crypto Twitter: Community discussions often uncover scams early. Pay attention to credible analysts and detailed reports.
  • CoinGecko & CoinMarketCap: While these platforms list market data, remember that inclusion does not guarantee legitimacy—do your own research.

By following these steps and using the right tools, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling for a meme coin scam and make more informed investment decisions.

Final Thoughts

Meme coin scams keep working not just because people are greedy, but because the ecosystem is built to exploit emotional decision-making. Hype, FOMO, peer pressure, and false promises all play into basic human psychology. Even seasoned investors can fall victim when they feel they’re missing out on the next moonshot.  Generally, scams thrive not just because they exist—but because too many people keep thinking this time is different

What makes meme coin scams so persistent is that they look like opportunity—until it’s too late. The crypto world rewards speed, boldness, and hype, but rarely patience or research.

The good news is that you don’t have to be one of the unlucky investors left holding the bag. The next time you see a meme coin skyrocketing overnight, take a step back and ask yourself—who’s really profiting here? Do your research, verify the project, and most importantly, remember that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. The crypto space will always have its fair share of wild bets and viral tokens, but smart investors know when to ride the wave—and when to walk away.

 

Disclaimer: This piece is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries a considerable risk of financial loss. Always conduct due diligence.

 

If you would like to read more articles like this, visit DeFi Planet and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and CoinMarketCap Community.

Take control of your crypto portfolio with MARKETS PRO, DeFi Planet’s suite of analytics tools.

Don't miss out!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Receive top education news, lesson ideas, teaching tips and more!
Invalid email address
Give it a try. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
Tags: CryptofraudMemecoinsScams
Share68Tweet42Share12
Olajumoke Oyaleke

Olajumoke Oyaleke

Olajumoke Oyaleke is a creative writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative guides across a variety of topics. Deeply interested in Web3 and blockchain technology, Olajumoke is dedicated to making complex concepts accessible, helping readers stay informed on the latest trends in the space. Through writing, Olajumoke aims to showcase the possibilities of Web3 and simplify its advancements for a broader audience.

Related Posts

Top Crypto Scams in H1 2025, Plus Emerging Tactics to Watch Out For
Opinion

Top Crypto Scams in H1 2025, Plus Emerging Tactics to Watch Out For

9 August 2025
What Are EVM-Compatible Blockchains?
Explainers

What Are EVM-Compatible Blockchains?

9 August 2025
Is China’s Yuan Stablecoin a Power Move or Innovation?
Opinion

Is China’s Yuan Stablecoin a Power Move or Innovation?

9 August 2025
Bridging Blockchains: The Missing Piece in Crypto’s Puzzle?
Opinion

Bridging Blockchains: The Missing Piece in Crypto’s Puzzle?

9 August 2025

Editors Picks

Web3 in 2025: Where We Are, What’s Next, and What the Data Says

Web3 in 2025: Where We Are, What’s Next, and What the Data Says

byOlayinka Sodiq
21 July 2025
0

Which Pays Better Right Now: DeFi’s High-Yield Pairs or Traditional Finance’s Cash Vehicles?

Which Pays Better Right Now: DeFi’s High-Yield Pairs or Traditional Finance’s Cash Vehicles?

byOlayinka Sodiq
6 July 2025
0

The Future of Crypto Could Be Institutional—And That’s Not a Bad Thing

The Future of Crypto Could Be Institutional—And That’s Not a Bad Thing

byOlajumoke Oyaleke
30 June 2025
0

What Is a Rebase Token and How Does It Work?

What Is a Rebase Token and How Does It Work?

byOlajumoke Oyaleke
28 June 2025
0

Smart Contracts on Ethereum, Solana, vs. Other Blockchains

Smart Contracts on Ethereum, Solana, vs. Other Blockchains

byOlajumoke Oyaleke
26 June 2025
0

Read More

Chain of Thoughts

What Happens When AI Gets a Wallet?

What Happens When AI Gets a Wallet?

byOlu Omoyele
31 July 2025
0

...

The Game-changing Triumvirate: Blockchain, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence

The Game-changing Triumvirate: Blockchain, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence

byOlu Omoyele
30 June 2025
0

...

Are Stablecoins Bank Deposits?

Are Stablecoins Bank Deposits?

byOlu Omoyele
31 May 2025
0

...

DAOs and the Coordination of Human Endeavour

DAOs and The Coordination of Human Endeavour

byOlu Omoyele
27 April 2025
0

...

Markets Update

Your Weekend Crypto Roundup | August 2025 (Week 2)

2 days ago

US Ether ETFs Turn One: What $16.6B in Assets and Bullish Inflows Signal for the Future

1 week ago

Is ETH Restaking Driving Efficiency or Introducing a Dangerous Complexity?

1 week ago

Your Weekend Crypto Roundup | August 2025 (Week 1)

1 week ago

Meta’s $72 Billion AI Investment: A Strategic Shift from the Metaverse to Artificial Intelligence

1 week ago

Is Web3 Finally Solving Its Risk Problem? A Market Review of DeFi Insurance Models

2 weeks ago
Read More

Events

Rare Evo 2025
Rare Evo 2025
6 Aug 25
Las Vegas
CBDC Conference
CBDC Conference
9 Sep 25
Nassau

Spotlight

All about Ethereum
All about Algorand
All about Bitcoin
All about Gora

Press Releases

The New Bybit Web3 is Here–Fueling On-Chain Thrills with $200,000 Up for Grabs

bychainwire
8 August 2025
0

Moving Forward: Builders Are Proving What’s Possible with CARV’s AI Stack

bychainwire
8 August 2025
0

Caldera Announces Partnership with EigenCloud to Integrate EigenDA V2

bychainwire
7 August 2025
0

BYDFi Card Officially Launches: One Card to Seamlessly Bridge Web3 Assets and Real-World Spending

bychainwire
7 August 2025
0

Bybit’s Ben Zhou Charts Bold New Course to Rewrite Crypto Success at Mid-Year Keynote

bychainwire
6 August 2025
0

Read More

ADVERTISING

ABOUT

TEAM

CAREERS

CONTACT

TERMS & CONDITIONS

PRIVACY POLICY

© Copyright 2025 DeFi Planet

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Please enter and activate your license key for Cryptocurrency Widgets PRO plugin for unrestricted and full access of all premium features.

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • People
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Regulation
    • Crypto
    • CBDC
  • Markets
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Stablecoins
    • Altcoins
    • Crypto ETFs
    • Memecoins
  • Policy
  • Articles
    • Press Releases
    • Opinion
    • Explainers
    • Guest Post
    • Sponsored
  • Directory
    • Companies
    • People
    • Products
    • Wallets
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • Learn
    • DeFi Basics
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Blockchain Fundamentals
  • Research
    • Case Studies
  • Explore
    • DeFi
    • Crypto Gaming
    • NFT
    • DAO
    • Metaverses
    • Glossary
  • Jobs
  • Markets Pro
    • DeFi Planet Pro
    • Spend Crypto
    • Swap Crypto
    • Coin Prices
    • Crypto Exchanges
    • Crypto Analyzer

© Copyright 2024 DeFi Planet   |   Terms & Conditions   |   Privacy Policy

-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00