How to Spot Fake Instagram Messages Instantly

You’ve probably heard of bot accounts and ghost followers that do nothing but pull down your engagement rate. But did you know that fake Instagram messages also go around from time to time?

Aside from fake followers and spam comments, fake Instagram DMs are a thing, too. People go out of their way to either send deceptive direct messages. Or even post screenshots of orchestrated ones that never occurred.

Receiving a fake message won’t put you in any physical danger. However, it’s important to stay vigilant and be on the lookout for them. That way, you won’t find yourself scammed out of your wallet or manipulated by disinformation. We’ll explore fake Instagram DMs, motivations for sending them, and the only acceptable ways to use them.

For Insta Newbies: What Is Direct Message on Instagram?

What is a “direct message” on Instagram? Instagram direct messages are the equivalent of texts on the Instagram platform. You’ll find these DMs on Instagram Direct, the platform’s in-app chat and messaging feature. 

To send an Instagram DM:

• Click on the paper plane icon on the app’s top-right corner of your home screen. 
• This brings you to the inbox. From there, simply choose a person to message. 
• You can also go to someone’s profile and hit the “Message” button.
• Type what you want to say in the message field and then hit “Send.” 

Instagram DMs also allow brands and influencers to talk to their audience on a personal level. They also work as a customer service tool for people who have questions about your business’ products or services.

Not All DMs Are Authentic

DMs are integral to the Instagram experience. However, some people go out of their way to create fake Instagram direct messages.

There are two ways a fake DM will fall into your lap while casually scrolling through Instagram.

The first way is right in your message inbox. These fake Instagram DMs are spam texts that try to phish for your private information or scam you for money. The second way is to come across someone posting a screenshot of a fake, orchestrated Instagram direct message.

But why do they do it in the first place? Let’s go through some of the most common reasons why people make fake IG DMs:

Scammers Using an Instagram Mass DM Bot to Message Multiple Users

One common way to scam people online is by selling them something that doesn’t exist. Then these scammers take the money and run. Scammers message loads of people at a time. Then they wait for someone to bite.

Instagram doesn’t have a feature that allows you to message multiple people at once in individual chats. So, scammers must be resourceful. They often use an Instagram mass DM bot to send fake Instagram DMs to as many people as possible.

There are a couple of mass-messaging bots out there available for public use. Scammers with access to these tools can select a specific audience and send fake Instagram DMs to them.

People Posing as Someone Else To Steal Your Information

A fake message can come in the form of phishing links. People may pretend to invite you to a collab or even fake contests and giveaways. One of the cruelest fake messages falls under the “romance scam.” Fake accounts might message you and try to stir up some romance. This is in order to get you to reveal sensitive information about yourself. Once they gain your trust, they’ll ask for large sums of money. And when you give them that money, they’ll immediately ghost you.

Other fake accounts might pose as tech support, investment traders, or companies offering you a job to get your trust. Before you know it, they’ll ask for personal information like your full government name and home address. 

Brands Making “Reviews” Using a Fake Instagram Direct Message Generator

Brands can fall into the temptation of creating fake DMs with a “customer” who reviews their product well. They’ll download a fake Instagram direct message generator and set up a fake conversation between the brand and the buyer. Then, they’ll post it on their profile and pass it off as a screenshot of a legitimate DM.

Using a Fake Instagram Direct Message App To Orchestrate a DM That Didn’t Happen

The last reason someone might create fake Instagram direct messages is to deceive the public with misinformation. Perhaps they’re trying to ruin someone’s image and reputation. It’s a cheap but easy way to fabricate a conversation that never ensued.

What To Do When You See a Fake Instagram DM Notification

What do you do if you see an Instagram notification of what looks like fake messages?

If you feel unsafe opening the fake Instagram DM notification, simply don’t. The potential scammer will see that you’ve opened the message and probably pester you further to get a reply. If you’re 100% positive that it’s a fake Instagram DM, report it and delete it immediately from your inbox.

But if you can’t tell if it’s a fake or legitimate DM, do a little more digging. Visit the account profile that sent the message and try to discern whether it’s one of those bot accounts. Here are some signs that will tell you it’s a fake Instagram account:

• They have blurry, low-quality photos either on their feed or as their profile pictures.
• They have very few posts, many of which have low engagement. 
• The account has the “New” badge, which tells you it’s a recently made account.

You Can Make Fake Instagram Messages for Harmless Creative Content Too

The use of fake Instagram DM generators isn’t always bad. As a content creator, you can use them to make unique, interesting, out-of-the-box content for your profile.

Fake Instagram DM To Announce a Collaboration

One clever way to use a fake Instagram DM is by staging a conversation announcing a collaboration between two influencers. This is something Jin of BTS and Coldplay did to announce an exclusive guest performance by Jin. They orchestrated fake dms between Jin and Chris Martin, Coldplay’s frontman, talking about the concert. They even “sent” selfies to each other in the fake Instagram DMs. It created tons of hype around the concert!

Encourage UGC With a Fake Instagram Direct Message on Stories

Brands can also use fake Instagram DMs to encourage followers to create user-generated content for an incentive. The usual feed posts inviting people to make UGC for a prize can get boring after some time. Why not experiment by posting a video of a fake DM on your Instagram Story instead?

They Are Excellent Imagery for Visual Storytelling

Fake Instagram direct messages also make for realistic imagery for online storytelling.

Social media AUs—or visual fanfiction—rose in popularity during the pandemic. Authors tell these stories entirely through text messages, Instagram DMs and fake phone calls. Even Netflix documentaries use fake dms when they recount a true story that involves online messages. 

How To Make Fake Messages on Instagram for Good Fun

Are you wondering how to make fake Instagram DMs for a fun promo or visual imagery for your storytelling? There are plenty of apps and post generators that allow you to do it!

One of our favorite ones is Funsta—a fake Instagram chat app that allows you to stage fake Instagram direct messages. You can orchestrate every detail on the screen. 

Only Use Fake Instagram DMs for Creative Content That Will Grow Your Account

Instagram DMs are a part of what makes the platform so fun. But some people take advantage of this messaging feature and send fake Instagram DMs to put you in harm’s way. So, always be vigilant about any potentially fake direct message you get on Instagram.

Fake Instagram messages are only acceptable if you use them to express yourself. Fake Instagram DMs are awesome for increasing your engagement rate. They’re a unique way to tell a story or make an announcement. Do you know what else can help boost your engagement and grow your community on Instagram? Path Social, of course. Our targeting tool helps you get your content out there so the right people see it. As a result, you get a higher reach, more engagement and a bigger, more loyal community of followers. Grow your page with Path Social today!

FAQs

Now you know how to spot those pesky fake Instagram messages. Do you have any more questions? Then, check out our frequently asked questions for guidance.