Scams on Instagram: fake profiles clone business accounts to steal clients’ money
- Rafaela Campos da Silva
- Jul 31
- 1 min read
Fantástico - June, 8 2025
Scammers have been using Instagram for a new fraud scheme that copies real business profiles, advertises fake promotions, and disappears with the money from buyers.
In Florianópolis, the thrift store Brechik became a target of criminals. “I received a screenshot from a customer saying there was a profile impersonating us, using our name, our logo, our exact description, and some of our images,” says Carla Machado, manager of the business founded by her grandmother more than 40 years ago.
At the request of the TV program Fantástico, UFRJ’s NetLab analyzed ads made by fake accounts posing as major retail brands in Brazil. In just four days, 277 fraudulent ads were identified, with 72% active for two days.
“The platform did absolutely nothing. These ads must be very effective because they remain online, probably gathering victims, and consumers keep clicking on them,” says Marie Santini, professor and director of NetLab.
