And what they can do upon being busted, they will just going to make a new one - a new face, name and theme. While the tactic they'd do is still the same and that's why you're right, we always tell everybody to DYOR.
It's a harsh reality, really. Making an analysis, and a good one at that, is key for those who want to strive in the current state of the market and projects in it, in my opinion.
I agree, your analysis will help you choose a better project in the near future and something like ethconnect will be avoided then. But as OP assures that he won't be investing to the likes of these projects, he'd definitely not going to make the same mistake again. This is the truth about this market and community, once you've made a mistake, you're going to make sure that you won't be misled again by anyone or even by your thoughts because that won't help you out. And to be sure with where you are investing your money, you'd always have that second thoughts before you push a decision.