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 had found love online. I need to explain how these scams are done through social media. Maybe then 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.
To love you and finally request money when they know you start trusting them. Knowing about these Instagram scams can help you stay secure.
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.
Investment scams
I have seen this several times, and they just keep coming. This is how it works. Scammers crack your friend’s account. They will then send a message to his friends. The message asks them to invest in a business.
It 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 order to confirm your investment. After you click the link, your account will be cracked. They will then do the same to your friends.
Most of these investment scammers also message you. They pose as a government official or a well-known company. They ask 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 stories 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 you. 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. Once you reply, 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, 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 accounts have flooded Instagram, and this is one of the ways scammers use to get hold of their victims. 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. Scammers with an extra template might get access to a person’s account. Then, they ask that person’s friends and family for money or information.
Identity theft scams
If any of your Instagram or Facebook accounts have been cracked before, be cautious. The perpetrator can still target another one of your accounts. This is why we recommend using a strong and different password for each account. Once the account is held, it can determine the type of person you are. It can also 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 sent you a message to invest in cryptocurrency. There are scammers in every country. They promise you a high return on investment.
These scammers will persuade you to invest a small amount. They claim you can 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. They promise you can 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 a higher margin or sometimes a bit lower.
When you send the crypto to them, they will disappear into thin air. The scammers who trade people cryptocurrency. You send them cryptocurrency to help you trade. Unfortunately, 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. To claim your prize, you need to pay 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 or Best Buy. Enjoy a free vacation to a very nice place. 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.
Scammers use Instagram to create fake accounts. They trick people into giving 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 have two-factor authentication, knowing how to enable it.
- Don’t fall for fake people who pretend to love you online.
- No investment (investment, I repeat) in this world that gives 50% ROI in 5 days.
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 block it to avoid an unnecessary report. But if you still have to report saving others, please do.
