It’s not always Facebook you know, Instagram has a lot of fake accounts pretending to be someone else. And you need to be careful about accounts messaging and pretending to like you. Here is the truth; it is all fake, they just want to take your money. When you suspect something I suggest you start speaking out.
People aren’t taking caution about it, they believed they have found love online. If I have to be explaining how these scams are done through social media maybe they would come for me 😅.
Social scams started from Facebook, they get your email in case their account gets blocked or banned. Moved to Line, WhatsApp, or WeChat to continue the chat. Sometimes, they use WeChat to get their victim.
Scams on Instagram moved like photos and videos on the platform. You will come across fake accounts, fake organization accounts, and crack accounts that pretend to be the person. They promised to love you, and finally request money when they know you start trusting them. Knowing about these Instagram scams can help you stay secure.
Also See: How scamming works on social networks and dating sites
Here are popular Instagram scams you need to know. These scams have been going on for more than 5 years now, or even more through other social platforms. And learning how to protect yourself against them should be your priority when you are on Instagram.
Table of Contents
Investment scams
I have seen this several times, and they just keep coming. This is how it works. Once these scammers crack your friend’s account they will send a message to his friends asking them to invest in a business that promises a return of up to 50% of your capital in 10 days. Once you invest, they will send you a link to click in other to confirm your investment — once you do that your account will be cracked and they will do the same to your friends.
Most of these investment scammers also message you and pose as a government official, or a well know company asking you to invest in one of the businesses. Tips; the ROI is too good to be true, run from an investment like that (don’t look back.)
Romance scams
Distance love is true and rare, many online love story is probably fake. Some just want to get hold of your money and run to wherever he/she thinks. After dating online for some months, he or she wants to travel to meet and spend time with you but they need your money to travel. It’s a scam, run.
On Instagram, when a scammer sends you a message, they will patiently wait for you to reply, and when you do, they will start their work. Most of them practice it as a full-time job. Be careful who you love online, many want your money, not love. I need both – plus funny 😄.
Bag of money scams
Someone somewhere sent you a message, after getting to know you within a few months and all that, they finally want to send you some money. Not just any money, but a bag full of money. (Please someone should get me some, let me use it). I doubt anyone in this world we request your address, and send you a bag full of money, how is that even possible.
But you know what, to collect the money you still need to pay for it, (it’s a scam). You’ll have to pay a small fee to one account and get the bag full of money.
Duplicate accounts scams
Duplicate account has flooded Instagram, and this is one of the ways scammers use to get hold of their victim. By pretending to be someone else, they may request money from their victim. Impersonating a person, and posting photos and videos you will think are real. For scammers with an extra template, they might get hold of a person’s account and ask their family and family for money or information.
Identity theft scams
If any of your Instagram or Facebook accounts have been cracked before, the man behind can still crack another of your account. This is why we recommend using a strong and different password for each account. Once the account is held, it can be used to determine the type of person you are, and use the password for your other social network accounts. But if you hold on to the two-step verification process you can less be worried about you getting crack.
Cryptocurrency scams
Okay, the crypto scams aren’t new, but many people have been scammed for more than I could count. Someone from an unknown country (there are scammers in every country) sent you a message to invest in cryptocurrency, and you will get a high return on investment. Too small, they will persuade you to invest and get an ROI of up to 50% in just 5 to 10 days. Other scammers will persuade you to invest a certain amount of cryptocurrency and get up to a 10% return every day from the investment.
The scammers who buy cryptocurrency have an Instagram page with direct contact, posing as one legitimate business. They pretend to buy a cryptocurrency for even a higher or a bit lower margin, and when you send the crypto to them they will disappear into thin air. The scammers who trade people cryptocurrency. You send a cryptocurrency to them for the sake of helping you trade and all that, sorry to say your cryptocurrency is gone.
Lottery scams
All they do is collect information and possibly sell it. And sometimes they even collect your money. These scammers create an Instagram page, set up content, and even pull up lotteries. After everyone participates in the lottery or contest scams. They will send you a message that you have won, and you need to claim your prize by paying a certain amount of money to a particular bank account. And once you do your money will be gone.
Loan scams
Loan scammers want to give you an instant loan, and you can pay a small interest fee. It doesn’t matter the amount of money you request. Loan scammers message you or leave a comment in one of your posts offering you instant loans. Before you get the loan, they will ask you to pay an advance fee to get the loan. And once you make payment to them, they might just vanish or continue asking for more.
Free coupons scams
Get a free coupon on Amazon, Best Buy, or a free vacation to a very nice place, and shop in a free store. That sounds nice, but it’s a scam. You are promised free coupons at large retailers worth more than usual. And all they requested from you is to click on a link that is sent to you. Once you do, you will get a free vacation and your account will be cracked.
If you want to be free from scams you need to know how you can protect yourself from these scammers. You should mind your own business and know the type of link you are clicking.
Job scams
Job scammers post fake jobs on Instagram and try to get your money. They promise you a job that sounds too good to be true. Job scammers want your money or your personal information. Avoid job postings that promise to give you a job if you make a payment to them. You don’t need to pay anyone to get a job, that is not how it works.
Instagram scams happen when scammers use the platform to create a fake account and trick people to give them money or personal information.
Key guides
- Even if you are not on Instagram, know the type of links you click on the social network including WhatsApp.
- All social media has two-factor authentication, knowing how to enable it.
- Don’t fall for fake people that pretend to love you online.
- No investment (investment, I repeat) in this world that gives 50% ROI in 5 day.
If you see something you think is a scam, you should avoid responding and report the scam to Instagram. Always update yourself with the latest security measures against scams. And once you suspect anyone simply blocked it to avoid an unnecessary report. But if you still have to report to save others, please do.
