Beware of scams + ICO investing rules

A little reminder about ICO "investing" and SCAM prevention:
You are not really investing, you are mostly gambling. Some of these companies will likely fail to deliver a product. Maybe they never even intended to produce one.

Do not rush.

Don't be greedy.

Do not ask: "What is the best ICO at the moment". Or do it if you want to create a potential non-investment list. Do your homework first.

Be a "sane paranoïd". People are not always what they pretend to be and scammers are gifted to seduce.

Due diligence is the key. You cannot just rely on other people comments, thoughts or so-called "analysis". The interests of others are not necessarily yours.

Invest only what you can afford to lose.

Invest in something you do understand. You have to deep dive into the product: who, what, when, how? What about technology, team, market, viability, roadmap, token, supply, market cap, distribution, incentives, etc.

Does the product really need to be based on blockchain technology?

Is there a market?

Ask for information. Ask again. And again.

Do they have a product, Github, etc?

What about the token? Necessary? Useful? What's the use? What about the incentives to use, hold or sell it? Is there a way to sell it?

Access to ICO smart contract's code before the ICO? Audited? Terms of ICO / Presale? Website audited?

As a token holder, what do you gain?

In your country, what are the legal and tax implications as a token buyer/holder/seller?

Think about it for a minute: the company is successful and Google buy it. What happens to your investment?

There is no free money. If the project sounds too good to be true, just go back to "sane paranoïd" mode and take a closer look.

Caution with pyramid / Ponzi schemes. How to spot them? 1) Most of the time, guaranteed return on investment. 2) Aberrant interest rates (no one can give you 1% daily, nor 10% monthly. I know you would like it, but be realistic).

A lot of ICO rating/due diligence services, forums and websites are in a potential conflict of interests. If the service accepts donation: caution. If a company has to pay to be rated or is encouraged to make a donation to expedite the procedure: caution. If the service shills the ICO: caution. If the rating service is also acting as an exchange, intermediary, consultant: caution.

Just four examples: IcoBazaar.com, Icodrops.com, Icobench.com, Icobriefing.com.

Spread the awareness.