Yes its true, we have to make a careful research on a project and the whole team before we invest our money because it is so hard now to trust anyone and there are so many scammers around.
Most ico project that launched this year are turning no scam, just like what OP said be wise on your investment no guarantee that you will earn profit, dont invest in one ico project jist split it into three investment , always search the project concept, the team and their goal to avoid asking many question.