Cryptocurrency has become a significant tool for financial crimes due to its decentralized and anonymous nature. This study analyzed scholarly articles from the Scopus database to review research on cryptocurrency fraud, identifying the top ten cryptocurrency scams, their causes, and underlying theories. Since 2018, the publication trend on cryptocurrency fraud has increased significantly, with the USA being the most significant contributor. Research has shifted from malware, Bitcoin, and blockchain to fintech-based crimes such as money laundering, pump-and-dump schemes, and phishing. Key crimes include ICO fraud, money laundering, Ponzi schemes, phishing, darknet market transactions, ransomware, and pumps and dumps. Primary reasons for these crimes include investor overconfidence, speculative expectations, low barriers to entry, decentralization, and anonymity. The study suggests future research should focus on socioeconomic impacts, global regulation, and interdisciplinary research. It also emphasizes exploring the innovation cycle in cryptocurrency assets, understanding cybercrime dynamics, guarding against market manipulation, and developing automated scam prevention. The study used bibliometric and content analysis to examine research trends, author collaborations, and keyword co-occurrence. Key findings include the USA's leading role in research, the dominance of cryptocurrency-related crimes, and the need for improved regulation and security measures. The study highlights the importance of addressing ransomware, blockchain-based reporting schemes, and cryptocurrencies in illegal activities. It also emphasizes the need for increased user awareness, enhanced security, and anonymity for whistleblowers. The research provides insights into the evolution of cryptocurrency fraud research, the key themes in the field, and the potential for future studies. The study concludes that cryptocurrency fraud research is a critical area requiring further investigation to ensure a safer financial environment.Cryptocurrency has become a significant tool for financial crimes due to its decentralized and anonymous nature. This study analyzed scholarly articles from the Scopus database to review research on cryptocurrency fraud, identifying the top ten cryptocurrency scams, their causes, and underlying theories. Since 2018, the publication trend on cryptocurrency fraud has increased significantly, with the USA being the most significant contributor. Research has shifted from malware, Bitcoin, and blockchain to fintech-based crimes such as money laundering, pump-and-dump schemes, and phishing. Key crimes include ICO fraud, money laundering, Ponzi schemes, phishing, darknet market transactions, ransomware, and pumps and dumps. Primary reasons for these crimes include investor overconfidence, speculative expectations, low barriers to entry, decentralization, and anonymity. The study suggests future research should focus on socioeconomic impacts, global regulation, and interdisciplinary research. It also emphasizes exploring the innovation cycle in cryptocurrency assets, understanding cybercrime dynamics, guarding against market manipulation, and developing automated scam prevention. The study used bibliometric and content analysis to examine research trends, author collaborations, and keyword co-occurrence. Key findings include the USA's leading role in research, the dominance of cryptocurrency-related crimes, and the need for improved regulation and security measures. The study highlights the importance of addressing ransomware, blockchain-based reporting schemes, and cryptocurrencies in illegal activities. It also emphasizes the need for increased user awareness, enhanced security, and anonymity for whistleblowers. The research provides insights into the evolution of cryptocurrency fraud research, the key themes in the field, and the potential for future studies. The study concludes that cryptocurrency fraud research is a critical area requiring further investigation to ensure a safer financial environment.