Fact CheckedLast Updated: 5 July 2026Reviewed By: ComplaintAdda Editorial Team
Instagram Scam
Instagram scams range from fake giveaways and cloned-profile impersonation to shopping page fraud where sellers vanish after payment. Reporting to both Instagram and the Cyber Crime Portal maximizes your chances of resolution.
What Is It
Fraud conducted through fake Instagram pages, cloned profiles of real people/brands, or shopping accounts that take payment for products never shipped.
When To Use It
Report when your account is hacked/cloned, you paid an Instagram seller who never delivered, or you fell for a fake giveaway asking for payment/personal details.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1Report the fake/cloned profile directly inside the Instagram app using 'Report > Impersonation or Scam'.
- 2If money was paid, call 1930 and file on cybercrime.gov.in with the seller's handle and payment proof.
- 3Change your password and enable two-factor authentication if your own account was compromised.
- 4Use Instagram's official account recovery form if you have been locked out.
- 5Warn your followers via another channel if your account was used to scam contacts.
Documents Required
- Screenshots of the scam profile/post
- Payment proof (UPI/card transaction)
- Link/handle of the fraudulent account
- ID proof for account recovery requests
Fees
Free — both Instagram's in-app reporting and the Cyber Crime Portal are free.
Processing Time
Instagram typically reviews reports within a few days; cyber crime investigations take 30–90 days.
Important Tips
- Verify sellers via a second channel before paying, especially for pages with recently created accounts.
- Enable two-factor authentication on all social accounts today.
- Genuine giveaways never ask you to pay a 'processing fee' to receive a prize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use Instagram's official 'My account was hacked' recovery flow from the login screen, and also file a cyber crime complaint if money or data was stolen.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify with the official source before acting.