On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, BOL News reported that Instagram creators are being targeted by a new scam where extortionists use fake copyright complaints to threaten account suspension or demonetization, demanding cryptocurrency for resolution.
This scheme exploits Instagram’s automated systems, which penalize accounts for repeated copyright strikes. Fraudsters allegedly inundate accounts with false complaints, creating a risk of suspension or loss of income.
Victims are then contacted via messaging platforms like Telegram, where they are coerced into paying anywhere from $50 to hundreds of dollars in cryptocurrency or other online payments. One creator with over 1.5 million followers reportedly paid $50 to regain access to their account.
The situation has intensified concerns regarding how social media platforms manage copyright complaints and protect their users from fraudulent reports. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, acknowledged the issue, stating that content affected by the scam would be restored after individual case reviews. The company also announced the implementation of additional safeguards to prevent future attacks.
A Meta spokesperson commented, “We understand this can be frustrating for those impacted, and our systems are designed to protect people from this happening in the first place.” They further added, “Following our review, we have restored the affected content and added additional protections to safeguard accounts against further attempts of this kind.”
Critics have raised questions about the vulnerabilities in Meta’s copyright reporting system, suggesting that its automated processing of complaints may allow fraudulent claims to proceed without thorough verification.
Some creators have also voiced dissatisfaction with the slowness of Meta’s official appeal process, noting that faster access to live support might necessitate a Meta Verified subscription costing $9.99 per month.
Experts are warning that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence could amplify the danger of these scams, as AI-powered tools can be used to generate and manage fraudulent copyright complaints on a much larger scale. While this tactic is not entirely new, with similar scams having previously affected creators on platforms like YouTube, the integration of AI presents a new level of threat.
BOL News advised Instagram creators to remain cautious of unexpected copyright notices or payment demands. Users are encouraged to verify suspicious claims through official platform channels and to refrain from sending money to individuals threatening their accounts.
This incident further highlights growing concerns about online fraud, particularly as scammers continue to exploit automated systems and the financial reliance of social media creators on their online presence.
Source: BOL News
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