Young Instagram Users losing £8,900 on average to scam

Action Fraud, a UK police-led awareness centre, has confirmed there had been a surge in activity in recent months by fraudsters posting about get-rich-quick schemes. Over 356 reports of financial losses have been made in the just last five months.

As is usual of Social Media scams, the fraudsters offer a high return in 24 hours but instead just pocket the cash. Its understood more than £3million has been stolen with some victims not even reporting the crimes.

The issue poses a problem not just for Instagram as a platform, but that the fraudsters are using the applications Advertising platform in order to promote the scam. This is causing many regulatory bodies to challenge the Social Media platforms to again deal with companies who use their platforms for criminal purposes.

An age old scam using new Technology

Alex McCann of AltrinchamHQ last month launched a Social Media Workshop and Personal Brand training course specifically for the 16-18 market.

Whilst the Social Media workshop focuses on the Footprint that young users leave behind, the lasts announcement from the Police makes it clear that many young adults are being caught out by the lure of Social Media fame and success.

But whom is to blame for this increase in Instagram Fraud?

Instagram – for allowing criminal enterprises access to their advertising platform without proper checks

The Users – for falling for the “get rich quick” schemes from unverified sources.

Its clear though that the Government agencies will be asking the Social Media Platforms to consider more security measures to battle the recent upsurge of fraud.