These individuals masquerade as experts in finance, health, or other trusted domains to exploit trust and extract money from their followers. By blending online popularity with calculated deceit, scamfluencers are proving to be one of the most dangerous forms of digital manipulation today.
According to Adewale Adeife, a cybersecurity consultant at EY, scamfluencers are especially dangerous because they merge their social credibility with modern deception tactics. These often include emotional manipulation, fabricated social proof such as fake likes and engagement pods, and now, even AI-generated deepfakes to bolster their authority.
Scamfluencers fabricate credentials, pose as professionals, and often use emotionally charged content to draw in followers.
In one infamous example, teenager Malachi Love-Robinson posed as a medical doctor, tricking patients and professionals alike. Others may impersonate financial experts, promising “get-rich-quick” results backed by fake testimonials and limited-time offers.
Tactics also include exploiting psychological tendencies like authority bias, where users are more likely to believe information from someone who appears famous or credentialed.
Scamfluencers also use the consistency principle—starting with small asks that escalate into larger scams. Fear, greed, and urgency are common emotional triggers they use to lower victims’ skepticism.
To protect yourself, cybersecurity experts recommend several steps.
Always verify an influencer’s claims and professional background. Be wary of requests for unconventional payments such as cryptocurrency or gift cards. If the person reacts defensively to questions, or if their results seem too good to be true, it’s likely a red flag. If you suspect you’ve encountered a scamfluencer, stop communication immediately, save all evidence, report it to your financial institution, and file complaints with law enforcement and cybercrime units.
Social media companies are stepping up their defenses, using AI to detect fake accounts, manipulated media, and suspicious behavior. Despite these efforts, experts emphasize that individual vigilance is still the best defense against scamfluencer tactics.
In an increasingly digital world, where influence can easily be faked and trust weaponized, staying informed and skeptical is essential. Recognizing the signs of scamfluencers helps prevent fraud and contributes to creating a safer and more authentic online environment.
