If you’ve spent more than five minutes scrolling through Instagram lately, chances are you’ve come across something suspicious — too-good-to-be-true investment offers, “mentorship” pitches from strangers, or eerily realistic AI-generated videos of celebrities pushing crypto schemes.
Spoiler alert: it’s probably a scam.
According to Meta, 2024 was a record year for fraud across its platforms — Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The company says it removed over 7 million scam-related accounts last year alone. From romance scams to fake NFT flips, online fraud is evolving faster than most users can spot it.
Let’s talk numbers. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that American consumers lost $5.7 billion to investment scams in 2024, a 24% increase from the previous year. A huge portion of these scams originated or spread through social platforms — with Instagram topping the list.
The typical playbook is simple — and dangerous:
A fake celebrity (or an AI clone) offers an “exclusive investment opportunity.”
The victim is redirected to a slick, professional-looking landing page.
They send money.
The scammer vanishes — and so does the cash.
In response to this surge in fraud, Meta is deploying what it calls a “multi-layered defense strategy”:
Instagram now offers optional selfie video ID verification, primarily targeting influencer accounts. This helps weed out imposters using AI-generated images to mimic public figures and win user trust.
If someone slides into your DMs asking for an upfront payment — say, a delivery fee — Instagram Messenger will now trigger new fraud warnings.
Meta is also encouraging users to tighten their privacy settings through guided Privacy Checkups, helping limit exposure to suspicious accounts.
On top of that, the company has teamed up with cybersecurity expert Rachel Tobac to publish educational videos and posts on recognizing manipulation tactics and staying safe online.
Let’s be honest: anyone can get tricked. These scams don’t work because people are naïve — they work because they’re calculated. Scammers exploit emotional urgency, social proof, and the illusion of credibility.
Personal story:
“A few months ago, I got a DM from someone claiming to be a crypto coach featured in Forbes. The profile looked legit — 10k followers, mutual connections, even fake highlight reels from ‘live events.’
What stopped me? When they asked for a $500 transfer ‘to get started,’ the red flags became a flashing billboard.”
Before you engage with that “incredible opportunity,” ask yourself:
Too fast, too rich? It’s a trap.
Celebrity endorsement? Google it. Deepfakes are scarily easy now.
Urgent calls to action? Classic scammer pressure tactic.
Asking for money upfront? Real deals don’t start with your wallet.
Redirecting to shady third-party sites? Close the tab.
And never, ever share your financial information in private messages.
Online scams have gone pro. Fraudsters now use the same tools and tactics as influencers and marketers — and sometimes, they’re even better at it. Meta’s efforts are a step in the right direction, but at the end of the day, digital safety still comes down to users being alert, informed, and a little skeptical.
Because in 2025, avoiding scams isn’t just about dodging spam. It’s about recognizing that every flashy DM could be a setup — even if it comes wrapped in a Louis Vuitton filter.
Reach out to the experts at antiban.pro — we help restore access to Instagram and Facebook accounts after hacks, scams, or unauthorized access.