Yes, it’s a big issue, people are not doing enough research before investing in a coin or token. Doing our own research is essential to get it right and to avoid centralized Shitcoins, were the developers can make everything they want. Bitcoin has a strong Code and decent Developers, so it's our best bet to invest in Bitcoin. 
When people already have the idea of getting in early on an altcoin and you would be in line for some quick money established on their minds, they tend not to care what the altcoin is out there to offer which is always the same thing, just one slight difference that wouldn’t be of any significant value except, to milk the public for those behind the project.
Investors in altcoins almost never research and in the real sense, what you mentioned here like the coding system,, developers and possibly those behind the project including what it tends to archive is what they should be looking out for and not just to buy and hope that it pumps.
One thing is for sure though, developers would always take profit before investors would and that tells you how shady altcoins could be.