If it's just a verification email not being sent, then it's probably their email service provider being down or something like that. Most likely a fault in their system, and not actually them intentionally trying to scam you. But obviously it makes their services pretty unreliable to say the least.

Even though that I would definitely avoid HitBTC when I can, I wouldn't go as far as calling them a scam.

They are extremely shady though in the past, and they ask for tons of unnecessary info on your deposits like fund origin, ID docs, utility bills. Plus, their support is unreliable. All in all, I wouldn't use them even if they are not considered to be a scam.