From experience, there isn't a sure way to avoid an ICO. The team can be good, a good whitepaper with a great proof of concept, yet the project can still fail or the team run away with the cashed raised. The best way to avoid ICO scam , is to not invest the amount you can't afford to lose. If you will invest in an ICO, ensure the company has existed offline for some number of years, and has a proven record of making a consistent profit before given them your hard earned cash.