Crypto Scams on Pinterest
Pinterest boards on cryptocurrency and blockchain investing promote fraudulent tokens, fake exchanges, and giveaway scams through professionally designed infographic pins that drive users toward fraud sites.
Part of: Crypto Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Pinterest's growing crypto and investing community is targeted by scammers who create polished educational-looking content that masks fraudulent product promotion. The visual format makes misleading performance claims appear credible, and the SEO strength of Pinterest means these pins attract organic searchers actively researching cryptocurrencies.
Unlike platforms with active crypto-fraud moderation, Pinterest's focus on visual discovery means fraudulent crypto content can remain live longer than on dedicated financial platforms.
How this scam works on Pinterest
A cryptocurrency board mixes genuine blockchain educational infographics with promotional pins for fraudulent tokens or exchanges. The promotional pins are visually consistent with the educational content, making them appear equally credible.
Giveaway pins promise cryptocurrency rewards for following or pinning content, driving users to external sites that harvest wallet connections. Token-launch pins with dramatic return projections link to fraudulent ICO or presale pages.
Affiliate-style operations create multiple accounts pinning the same content across related boards to maximise reach and create the appearance of broad community interest in a fraudulent token or platform.
Common red flags
- Crypto infographic promising specific annual returns without regulatory disclaimers
- Token presale pin with dramatic return projections
- Giveaway pin requiring wallet connection to an external site
- Multiple Pinterest accounts pinning identical crypto content
- Exchange recommended exclusively through Pinterest with no mainstream listing
- Board that mixes genuine crypto education with a single platform's promotional content
How to protect yourself
- Verify any cryptocurrency investment through official regulatory and project documentation
- Never connect your wallet to a site accessed via a Pinterest giveaway pin
- Check token projects against blockchain explorer data and community forums
- Use mainstream, regulated exchanges rather than those promoted exclusively on Pinterest
- Report suspicious crypto promotion boards to Pinterest moderators
How to report it
- Report fraudulent crypto pins via Pinterest's in-app report function
- Report the promoted token or exchange to your national financial regulator
- If wallet credentials were compromised, revoke token approvals immediately through your wallet settings
Frequently asked questions
A Pinterest 'giveaway' pin asks me to connect my wallet to claim free crypto — is that ever legitimate?
No — no legitimate giveaway requires you to connect a wallet or send funds first to receive a reward. Connecting your wallet to an unfamiliar site risks exposing it to a draining transaction, so avoid these links entirely.
How do I check if a token promoted on Pinterest is a real project?
Look up the token's contract address on a blockchain explorer to check its holder distribution and trading history, and search for the project's official documentation and team information independently of the Pinterest pin. A token that only appears on Pinterest with no other verifiable project presence should be treated as high-risk.
I connected my wallet to a site from a Pinterest pin — should I be worried even if I haven't approved a transaction yet?
Connecting alone doesn't drain a wallet, but disconnect immediately and avoid the site going forward, since some malicious sites try to prompt an approval transaction as soon as you're connected. Review your wallet's connected sites list and revoke access to anything unfamiliar as a precaution.
Is Pinterest a reliable source for cryptocurrency research?
Pinterest can surface genuine educational content but is not a substitute for primary research through official documentation, regulated information sources, and community forums with active fraud moderation.