Instagram scams to watch out for, and tips to protect yourself

In fact, in 2023, Lloyds Bank reported that 66% of all cryptocurrency fraud started on social media, with Instagram being one of the primary platforms used by scammers. Beyond financial fraud, these scams can compromise your personal data, lead to identity theft, and harm your online security.

This article explores what Instagram scams are, how they work, what common types you should watch out for in 2025, and how you can protect yourself while enjoying the platform.

What are Instagram scams?

Instagram scams are deceptive tactics that hackers and fraudsters use to steal money, personal details, or account access. Instagram scams via DMs (direct messages) often involve impersonation (or catfishing), fake offers, phishing attempts, promises of large financial returns, fake giveaways, or other schemes to trick Instagram users.

In some cases, scammers may use unsuspecting users to distribute malware or target other Instagram accounts they follow, including friends and family. Being aware of these tactics can help you avoid them.

How do Instagram scams work?

Instagram scammers employ a variety of methods to deceive users. Popular techniques include:

• Phishing. Phishing happens when scammers send messages or emails prompting you to click harmful links. These links often lead to fake login pages asking you to input your account information or download malware that compromises your device and data. Common types of phishing on Instagram rely on direct messages (DM phishing), fake emails (email phishing), and comments under posts (comment phishing).
• Fake ads. Scammers create fraudulent advertisements that promote deals or products that seem too good to be true. Clicking on these ads redirects you to untrustworthy websites or fake online stores where you might pay for items you’ll never receive or poor-quality products that don’t match the description.
• Direct messages (DMs). Fake profiles often send DMs with urgent messages, enticing offers, or emotional appeals. These messages aim to manipulate you into sharing personal information, sending money, or clicking unsafe links.

One frequently asked question is whether simply responding to a DM can result in a hack. The short answer is no. Responding alone won't get you hacked unless you share personal information or click on suspicious links.

16 popular Instagram scams

Instagram scammers use many different methods to deceive people. Below are the most common Instagram scams, followed by an in-depth look at each.

1. Instagram romance scams
2. Instagram sugar daddy and sugar baby scams
3. Instagram phishing scams
4. Customer support scams
5. Giveaway and lottery scams
6. Instagram money app scams
7. Instagram ambassador scams
8. Followers and likes for sale scams
9. Charity scams
10. Instagram paid promotion scams
11. Instagram ad scams
12. Instagram investment scams
13. Fake job offer scams
14. Loan scams
15. Subscription scams
16. Instagram art scams

1. Instagram romance scams

Instagram romance scams (also known as Instagram dating scams) prey on emotional vulnerability. Romance scammers create fake, often attractive profiles and initiate conversations with users under the guise of forming a romantic connection.

Posing as doctors, engineers, or soldiers (cases where scammers claim to be deployed military members are known as military romance scams), scammers build trust with their targets over weeks or even months. Once they establish a connection and gain their targets’ trust, they fabricate emergencies like medical bills or travel expenses to coerce potential victims into sending money.

Tips to stay safe: Never send money to someone you’ve only met online, and watch for hints like avoiding video calls or refusing to meet in person. These are the biggest telltale signs of any romance scam.

Did you know that…

Many romance scammers also use a tactic known as catfishing. They create fake profiles using stolen photos and false information to impersonate someone else. Catfish scams on Instagram also revolve around forming romantic relationships for fraud.

However, scammers may also use catfishing to form fake friendships or professional connections, manipulating their targets into sharing personal details, sending money, or unknowingly participating in other fraudulent schemes.

2. Instagram sugar daddy and sugar baby scams

Sugar daddy and, more recently, sugar momma scams target young adults with promises of financial support. In Instagram sugar daddy or sugar momma scams, fraudsters claim they’re wealthy benefactors willing to give money with little to nothing expected in return.

They then request a small processing or verification fee just to confirm that the targeted person is genuinely interested or trustworthy. Once the target sends the payment, the scammer disappears, leaving them out of money and with no way to recover it.

Sugar baby scams on Instagram work similarly, with scammers posing as young adults seeking financial arrangements from users they found on the app. Fake sugar babies often ask for an upfront payment, claiming it’s to prove trust, cover travel costs, or for other made-up reasons.

Once the victim makes the payment, the scammer disappears without fulfilling any promises or arrangements. Scammers may also manipulate their targets into sharing banking information or sending payments under false pretenses. 

Tip to stay safe: Stay vigilant by questioning anyone offering easy money, lavish gifts, explicit photos, or flirtatious conversations via webcam or in DMs. Legitimate arrangements never begin this way, and these tactics are common signs of a scam.

3. Instagram phishing scams

Instagram phishing scams happen when scammers try to steal your login details or personal information using malicious links. Instagram link scams often come as direct messages claiming you’ve won a prize, need to verify a suspicious login, or fix an urgent issue with your account.

If you click on the link, you're redirected to a counterfeit Instagram login page that looks nearly identical to the real one. Once you enter your credentials, the scammers capture them and gain full control of your account.

Similarly, Instagram email scams may show up in your inbox with alarming subject lines like "Account suspended," "Unusual login attempt," or "Action required to avoid account deactivation." Scammers craft these emails to appear official, often using Instagram's logo and colors to fool recipients. However, the links in these emails lead to malicious websites designed to steal your login information or infect your device with malware.

Tips to stay safe: Never click on links from unverified senders, and always log in to your Instagram account directly through the app or official website. If you receive a suspicious claim, verify if the message is genuine.

To view emails sent by Instagram on your phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then navigate to “Accounts center” > “Password and security” > “Recent emails.”

4. Customer support scams

Customer support scams are deceptive tactics that fraudsters use to impersonate Instagram’s support team. These scammers aim to steal your account credentials or financial information by pretending to assist with account issues. One common example of this tactic is the Instagram verification scam.

Scammers will message you claiming that you’ve violated Instagram’s guidelines and your account is at risk of being suspended unless you verify your identity. Alternatively, they may tell you that your account qualifies for the verification badge (the blue tick) and insist on processing it quickly. To fix the issue or complete the verification, they’ll ask for your login credentials or payment details.

Customer support scams often overlap with phishing scams. Fraudsters may send fake emails or messages that look official, using urgent language like "Your account will be suspended" or "Verification required immediately." These messages often include links to counterfeit login pages designed to capture your credentials or financial data.

Tips to stay safe: Never share personal details or click on links sent by anyone claiming to represent Instagram. Always resolve account issues through Instagram’s official Help Center.

5. Giveaway and lottery scams

Giveaway and lottery scams on Instagram trick users by pretending to be legitimate contests. Scammers promise big prizes like luxury vacations, expensive gadgets, or cash to grab the user’s attention and collect their personal information.

These online scams are often tied to celebrity scams on Instagram, where fraudsters impersonate well-known figures to make their schemes look real. They might use fake accounts with stolen photos and names of celebrities to gain their target’s trust.

Tips to stay safe: Scammers usually ask you to click a link, share personal details, or pay a processing fee to claim your prize. Legitimate giveaways don’t operate that way. Always verify contests directly with the official brand or celebrity account.

6. Instagram money app scams

Money app scams, like Cash App scams, target users by abusing popular payment platforms. Scammers often message the targeted person with promises to “flip” their money — that is, to multiply their funds, such as turning $100 into $1,000, in a short amount of time. This scam technique is called cash flipping. Once the target sends the money, the scammer keeps it and blocks the victim.

Zelle scams are especially dangerous because scammers trick users into making irreversible money transfers. They might say the transfer is for processing fees, account verification, or fixing a fake issue. Unfortunately, once the victim sends the money, there’s no way to get it back.

Other scams, like bank scams on Instagram, involve fraudsters posing as bank representatives. They may claim there’s an issue with the target’s account and ask for sensitive details like login credentials or banking information.

Tips to stay safe: Always verify requests directly with your bank or payment platform. Use their official website or customer service numbers — never trust messages or links sent through DMs.

7. Instagram ambassador scams

Scammers commonly target aspiring influencers with collaboration scams, claiming to offer ambassador roles for well-known brands. For example, the targeted person might receive a DM that says, “We love your aesthetic! You’re exactly what our brand is looking for. " Sound familiar?

Scammers then ask their target to purchase heavily discounted products upfront, such as jewelry, clothing, or skincare items, in exchange for ambassador perks like promotions, commissions, or even access to exclusive events.

In reality, the products either never arrive or turn out to be cheap, knock-off items that are worth far less than the victim paid. In some cases, scammers will even ghost victims after payment, leaving them with no product and no response.

Tips to stay safe: Instagram ambassador scams prey on new or smaller influencers who may not know how legitimate brand partnerships work. Real brands never ask ambassadors to pay out of pocket for products, shipping, or services.

Always research the company through trusted platforms like the Better Business Bureau or read online reviews before agreeing to any collaboration. Fake brand accounts often mimic real companies, using similar names or logos to appear credible.

8. Followers and likes for sale scams

Scams that sell followers and likes prey on users hoping to grow their Instagram presence quickly. Fraudsters approach them through DMs or vague comments like “DM us to grow your account.”

These scammers almost always deliver bot-generated followers, likes, or fake comments that provide no real engagement or value. For instance, you might see a sudden spike in followers, but these accounts will typically have no profile picture, a generic username, and no posts. Over time, Instagram will likely detect and remove these fake Instagram accounts, causing your follower count to drop significantly.

Fake engagement also violates Instagram’s terms of service and can get your account flagged, shadowbanned, or even permanently suspended. Still, in many cases, scammers vanish after payment without delivering the promised followers, likes, or engagement, leaving victims out of money and with nothing to show for it.

Tip to stay safe: Focus on real and honest ways to grow your account, not shortcuts. Build your follower base by posting quality content, engaging with your audience, and collaborating with legitimate creators or brands.

9. Charity scams

Charity scams take advantage of people’s kindness. Scammers pretend to be real charities and share emotional images or stolen videos to pull at your heartstrings. They claim they’re raising money for disaster victims, medical treatments, or people in urgent need.

Instead of helping anyone, these scammers pocket the money. They usually ask for donations through payment apps like PayPal or Venmo, which makes it impossible to track where the money goes. One thing is certain, though: none of it ever reaches a real charity.

Tips to stay safe: Only donate to verified organizations. Check the charity’s official website and social media accounts before sending money, and avoid giving to accounts that pressure you or sound suspicious.

10. Instagram paid promotion scams

Instagram promotion scams target small businesses and influencers with fake offers to boost their visibility. Scammers promise to feature their content on a popular page with high engagement.

However, the truth is often far from their claims. These pages usually have fake followers or minimal reach. In some cases, the scammers don’t even own or control the page they’re advertising — they just take their victim’s money and disappear.

For example, you might receive a DM saying, “We love your brand and want to feature it on our page with over 100,000 followers. All we need is a $150 fee to promote you.” If the message doesn’t make sense — for instance, if you don’t own a brand or don’t promote anything on Instagram — or if it feels overly generic, it’s almost certainly a scam.

Tips to stay safe: Always research the account before agreeing to any promotions. Look closely at its followers — are they real users or bots? Check for genuine engagement, like meaningful comments and consistent likes on posts.

11. Instagram ad scams

Instagram ad scams trick users with polished ads that showcase items like designer bags, trendy clothes, or gadgets at unbelievably low prices. These ads may look professional, but once someone makes a purchase, the product either never arrives or turns out to be a cheap knockoff.

For example, you might order a leather handbag and receive a flimsy plastic version with misspelled branding. Scammers often fake reviews, use stolen images, and mimic real brands to appear legitimate. They also offer vague refund policies (or none at all), which makes it nearly impossible to get your money back.

So are Instagram ads scams?

Not all Instagram ads are scams. Many come from real businesses promoting genuine products. However, scammers use the platform to run fake ads for products that don’t exist or deals that seem too good to be true, often directing you to shady websites to steal your money or personal information.

Tips to stay safe: Make sure the brand is verified and research sellers before buying. Check for genuine reviews, verify the legitimacy of their website, and always use secure payment options like PayPal to protect your transaction.

12. Instagram investment scams

Instagram investment scams promise enormous returns on investments in forex trading or cryptocurrency. Forex scams on Instagram flash fake screenshots of huge profits to pull you in. Similarly, Instagram crypto scams feature scammers pretending to be financial experts, claiming they’ll grow your money fast if you let them invest for you.

Tip to stay safe: Real investments take time and research. Steer clear of anyone promising massive returns with no effort — it’s almost always a scam.

13. Fake job offer scams

Fake job offer scams prey on people searching for better opportunities or quick income. Scammers post flashy offers promising high pay for minimal work, often advertising roles such as social media manager, personal assistant, or brand representative. These job posts may appear in feeds, stories, or even as direct messages.

Once they catch your attention, scammers typically ask for personal information like your Social Security number, bank account details for payment processing, or even an upfront fee for training or employment materials. After scammers collect your information or money, they disappear, leaving you without a job and exposing you to risks like identity theft or losing your hard-earned money.

Tips to stay safe: Scammers often create fake accounts representing large companies or well-known brands and use them to post false job offers. Always verify job opportunities on trusted platforms like LinkedIn and never share sensitive information upfront without proper verification.

14. Loan scams

Scammers behind loan fraud target people in urgent financial situations by offering quick approvals and low-interest rates that seem too good to pass up. They claim to provide fast cash with no credit checks, which can feel like a lifeline to those in need.

How do they know you are in a difficult situation? Scammers use targeted ads, social media posts, and direct messages to identify people searching for quick financial solutions. By targeting those who show interest, they exploit their vulnerability.

The scammers will ask for an upfront fee disguised as a processing, insurance, or verification charge. They may also request sensitive banking details, claiming they need them to deposit the loan. Once scammers get the payment or details, they disappear.

Tip to stay safe: Genuine lenders never require upfront fees. Always research a lender’s legitimacy, check reviews, and verify that it is registered with financial authorities.

15. Subscription scams

In subscription scams, scammers claim they can give you lifetime access to services like streaming platforms, software, or premium tools for a one-time fee. They promote these fake deals through ads, emails, or direct messages.

They then direct you to fake websites that ask for payment details. Once you pay, the money is gone, and the subscription never works or doesn’t exist at all. In some cases, scammers may use your payment information to carry out more fraud or unauthorized charges.

Tips to stay safe: Always buy subscriptions directly from official websites or trusted app stores. Be careful with deals that promise lifetime access at extremely low prices.

16. Instagram art scams 

Instagram art scams (also called Instagram painting scams) use flattery and fake opportunities to exploit artists, tricking them into giving away money or personal information. Scammers may offer commissions that sound exciting or demand upfront payments for supplies without any intention of following through.

In some cases, scammers go further by sending fake checks or pretending to represent well-known brands or galleries. These tactics seem credible at first, but once they get the money or information, they disappear, leaving the victim out of pocket and empty-handed.

NFT scams on Instagram add a modern twist to this scheme. Scammers might claim they want to buy or promote an artist’s artwork and ask them to mint NFTs on shady platforms. They often demand an upfront fee, disguised as a listing or transaction fee.

Instagram muse scams are another variation. Here, scammers claim they want to use an image or artwork as inspiration for a mural or project. They use flattery and promise to pay the author a large sum of money, but ask them to first send back a portion of that payment or cover supply costs. In reality, they never intended to pay the author in the first place.

Tips to stay safe: To avoid falling victim, verify every opportunity carefully, insist on contracts, and never pay upfront without due diligence.

Why are Instagram scams dangerous? 

Instagram scams threaten more than just your wallet — they can harm your security, reputation, and mental well-being. Falling victim to an Instagram scam can come with serious risks:

• Identity theft. Scammers can use your personal details to open fraudulent accounts or commit financial crimes in your name, which can take months to undo.
• Financial loss. Whether it’s drained bank accounts or stolen crypto investments, scams can cost you money you may never get back.
• Data theft. Some scams infect your device with malware, which gives scammers access to sensitive information like stored passwords or private photos.
• Credit damage. Scammers may try to use your personal data to open loans or credit accounts in your name. This misuse can ruin your good credit score, making it harder to qualify for loans, credit cards, or even housing in the future.
• Emotional strain. The risks go beyond money — falling victim to a scam can leave you feeling embarrassed, stressed, and anxious. The impact can affect your confidence and peace of mind, which can make it even harder to deal with the aftermath.

How do you recognize a potential scammer on Instagram?  

You might be dealing with a scammer on Instagram if:

• They ask for money, personal information, or push you to act immediately.
• Their profile looks suspicious — new, unverified, with a strange username, stolen photos, or no profile picture.
• Their messages are full of bad grammar, weird wording, or links that seem suspicious.
• They send random offers for jobs, giveaways, or collaborations that feel too good to be true.
• They ask you to continue the conversation outside Instagram, like through email, phone, or another app.
• Their account has a lot of followers but barely any likes, comments, or real engagement.
• They pressure you by using threats or creating urgency to make you act fast.

What should you do if you get scammed on Instagram? 

If you’ve been scammed on Instagram, take these steps right away to minimize the damage:

1. Change your passwords. Update your Instagram password immediately, as well as passwords for any accounts that may be connected or use the same login details.
2. Secure your financial accounts. Check your bank or payment app accounts for any suspicious transactions and report unauthorized charges to your bank or card provider.
3. Scan your device for malware. Run trusted antivirus software to find and remove any harmful files that you may have downloaded during the scam.
4. If you have shared any personal details, freeze or monitor your credit. If you gave away sensitive details like your Social Security number, contact credit bureaus to place a fraud alert or freeze your credit to avoid identity theft.
5. Report the incident. To document the event, file a complaint with local authorities, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

How to protect against Instagram scams

Instagram scams are constantly evolving, but you can lower your risks of falling for one by staying informed and taking proactive steps to secure your account and personal information.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA ensures that even if someone gets hold of your password, they can’t access your account without a second form of verification.
• Protect your personal information. Never share personally identifiable information (PII) like your Social Security number, banking details, or home address through DMs or on suspicious sites. Scammers can use this information for identity theft.
• Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true. Scammers rely on fake giveaways, deals, or investment opportunities to trick you. If an offer feels off or unrealistic, ignore it.
• Report fraudulent accounts and activities. Use Instagram’s “Report” feature to flag scam accounts or messages. This action notifies Instagram to investigate and take down harmful online accounts, which can help protect you and other users on the platform.
• Use NordProtect. An identity theft protection service like NordProtect can help safeguard your sensitive information. With NordProtect’s online fraud coverage, you can receive up to $10,000 in reimbursement for losses caused by various online scams, including some that take place on Instagram, such as romance scams, phishing attacks, and malware incidents.