Have you ever ever scrolled by means of social media and thought, Wow, this particular person is making six figures a month, how do I get in on that? Similar. Social media is flooded with individuals claiming they’ve cracked the code to in a single day success, passive earnings, or early retirement. However right here’s the reality: many of those so-called consultants are promoting desires, not actual alternatives. And sadly, their enterprise mannequin typically relies on taking your cash. Let’s speak about this in additional depth!

As a monetary educator, I’ve seen too many individuals fall for scams that look professional on the floor, however find yourself being nothing greater than smoke and mirrors. That’s why I’m breaking down 7 influencer scams it’s good to keep away from if you wish to defend your time, your cash, and your peace of thoughts.
This isn’t about calling out entrepreneurs doing actual work, that is about serving to you notice the purple flags and defend your self from manipulative advertising techniques that don’t ship. Let’s get into it.
1. The faux guru pyramid scheme
This one is in every single place. An “knowledgeable” guarantees to show you learn how to make cash. However the one actual solution to earn is by getting others to enroll underneath you.
The rip-off: They promote costly programs, mentorships, or entry to a non-public group. However this system solely “works” should you hold recruiting extra individuals. It is a basic pyramid rip-off.
Purple flag: If the success components solely works when others are continuously becoming a member of, it’s not a enterprise, it’s a rip-off.
2. The six-figure earnings lie
You’ve seen it: “I made $100K this month, let me present you the way!” Sounds wonderful, proper? However there’s typically no proof of how they made that cash.
The rip-off: Their earnings doesn’t come from a thriving enterprise. It comes from promoting you a system, typically overpriced teaching or programs, with no clear abilities or technique behind it.
Purple flag: In the event that they by no means present what their precise enterprise is (past promoting programs), be skeptical.
3. The passive earnings DM rip-off
Ever acquired a message saying, “Hey, I can mentor you to make passive earnings!”? If somebody you don’t know is sliding into your DMs with a “enterprise alternative,” run.
The rip-off: These are sometimes crypto or foreign exchange recruitment schemes the place the one solution to earn is by bringing in additional individuals.
Purple flag: If the mentorship begins with asking for cash and ends with entry to a imprecise “group,” it’s not mentorship, it’s manipulation.
4. Dropshipping and Amazon FBA get-rich-quick programs
Dropshipping and Amazon FBA could be professional companies, however not when influencers promise fast riches with no work.
The rip-off: They promote “step-by-step blueprints” that omit how complicated, aggressive, and costly these ventures actually are.
Purple flag: If somebody makes all their cash instructing dropshipping somewhat than doing it efficiently themselves, be cautious.
5. Finished-for-you automated enterprise schemes
This rip-off is wrapped in comfort: somebody presents to construct a completely automated enterprise for you; Airbnb leases, crypto bots, merchandising machines, Amazon shops, simply make investments and sit again.
The rip-off: You pay a hefty setup price, however the enterprise both by no means launches or is poorly run. In the meantime, the scammer disappears together with your cash.
Purple flag: There’s no such factor as a very hands-off enterprise that prints cash when you sleep. Take a look at our record of passive earnings concepts if you’re searching for ones to discover.
6. Faux funding and crypto flipping scams
Faux traders are in every single place on social media. They’ll promise to “flip” your cash by means of crypto or foreign exchange with assured returns, and a few even impersonate actual monetary manufacturers (together with scammers that impersonate Intelligent Woman Finance!).
The rip-off: You ship them cash, they present faux screenshots of success, after which they ghost you.
Purple flag: No professional funding ensures earnings. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s.
Reminder: Intelligent Woman Finance by no means sends DMs asking for cash or funding. We don’t commerce crypto or foreign exchange. All the time confirm.
7. Overpriced teaching applications that train nothing
Excessive-ticket teaching isn’t all the time a rip-off however many influencers cost hundreds for generic recommendation that you might discover on-line totally free. (Intelligent Woman Finance presents over 30+ fully free programs!)
The rip-off: They use strain techniques like “Should you don’t put money into your self, you don’t need success.” However when you pay, there’s little actual technique or actionable assist.
Purple flag: If they will’t clarify precisely what you’ll get on your cash, stroll away.
Skilled tip: Do a credibility examine
Earlier than investing in any course, mentorship, or enterprise alternative promoted by an influencer, do a credibility examine. Search for verified evaluations, clear earnings reviews, and clear explanations of what you’ll obtain. Should you can’t discover impartial success tales, or if every thing leads again to them earning profits from course gross sales, it’s time to stroll away.
Easy methods to keep away from influencer scams
Right here’s what you are able to do to guard your self from scams disguised as inspiration
- Observe the cash: Ask: How are they really earning profits? If their solely enterprise is promoting programs or recruiting others, be cautious.
- Verify for transparency: Legit entrepreneurs present actual outcomes, case research, and receipts, not simply luxurious life-style content material and imprecise testimonials.
- Keep away from imprecise guarantees: If they will’t clearly clarify how their system works, don’t hand over your cash.
- Belief your instincts: If one thing feels off, it in all probability is. Scammers depend on emotional manipulation and urgency to push you into fast choices.
- Educate your self: The extra financially literate you’re, the more durable it’s for somebody to reap the benefits of you.
Associated content material
Should you’ve loved this text on influencer scams to keep away from, take a look at this associated content material:
Empower your self with information and keep away from getting scammed!
There’ll all the time be individuals making an attempt to promote you a shortcut to wealth. However true monetary success doesn’t come from overpriced programs or sliding into individuals’s DMs. It comes from studying actual abilities, making good choices, and constructing over time.
At Intelligent Woman Finance, we’re right here that will help you do exactly that, with out gimmicks or strain. No tips, no hype, no scams. Simply actual recommendation from ladies who’re constructing wealth the trustworthy method!