Fake crypto exchangers: how to spot a fake

Signs of a fake exchanger

• Not in the registry. The company is missing from the NBK registry, and the site shows no BIN or license number.
• Look-alike domain. The address differs by one letter, an extra hyphen or a different domain zone.
• Rate too good. The offer is far better than every licensed exchanger.
• Payment to a private card. A real exchanger accepts payments to a company account.
• No verification. A licensed exchanger must verify customers, see the lesson on KYC and AML.
• Pressure. "The rate is valid for 5 minutes", "2 slots left", urgency and persuasion.

Check an exchanger in two minutes

1. Find the legal entity and BIN on the website.
2. Compare them with the registry.
3. Check the domain: it must match the official website from a reliable source.
4. Bookmark the real site and use only the bookmark.

Where links to fakes come from

• search and social media ads placed above real results;
• Telegram messages from "managers" and "support";
• channels promoting "signals" and "arbitrage".

If you have already sent money

1. Call your bank and ask to suspend or recall the transfer.
2. Save screenshots of the site, payment details, chats and the transaction hash.
3. File a police report.

Other schemes are covered in the lessons on scams and P2P scams.

FAQ

How do I check that an exchanger website is real?

Compare the legal entity name and BIN on the website with the NBK registry, check the exact spelling of the domain and open the site from a saved bookmark rather than a link from an ad or chat.

Why does a fake exchanger offer a better rate?

A rate far better than the market is bait: scammers do not need to earn on the spread, they take the whole amount.

What should I do if I sent money to a fake exchanger?

Contact your bank immediately to recall the payment, save all details (site address, payment details, transaction hash) and file a police report.

Updated October 6, 2026