A "fake pump" in the cryptocurrency market typically refers to a situation where the price of a cryptocurrency is artificially inflated through coordinated buying or misleading information, often to create a false sense of demand and attract unsuspecting investors. Once the price is sufficiently high, those behind the pump sell their holdings at a profit, causing the price to crash, which can leave late investors with significant losses.

To avoid falling victim to a fake pump:

1. **Do Your Research**: Verify the legitimacy of the news or signals you receive.

2. **Check Market Volume**: Genuine price increases are usually accompanied by high trading volumes.

3. **Be Skeptical of Sudden Surges**: Sudden, unexplained price surges can be red flags.

4. **Diversify Investments**: Avoid putting all your money into one asset.

If you have a specific instance or recent event in mind, please share more details, and I can provide a more focused analysis.