Instagram "Is This You in This Video?" Scam — Don't Click the Link
A friend sent you a direct message on Instagram saying 'Is this you in this video?' or 'OMG look what I found' with a link. Your friend's account has been hacked. Clicking the link takes you to a fake Instagram login page that steals your password, and then uses your account to send the same message to all your contacts.
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How This Scam Works
High Risk — Account Takeover Through Fake Instagram DMs
If a friend sends you a DM with a suspicious link saying "Is this you in this video?" — their account has been hacked. Do not click the link.
Note: This scam typically arrives via Instagram DM, not email. If you received a suspicious email, forward it to check@scam.support for a free risk assessment. For social media scams, report to the FTC — see all reporting agencies.
A friend sends you a direct message on Instagram saying "Is this you in this video?" or "OMG look what I found" with a link. Your friend's account has been hacked. Clicking the link takes you to a fake Instagram login page that steals your password. Once compromised, your account is used to send the same message to all your contacts, spreading the scam exponentially.
This scam exploits trust between friends. Because the message comes from someone you know, you are far more likely to click than you would be with a message from a stranger. The compromised accounts are also sometimes used to promote cryptocurrency scams or fake giveaways in Stories.
Red Flags
- Message from a friend contains a suspicious link
- Text says 'Is this you?' or 'Look what I found' — designed to trigger curiosity
- Link does not go to instagram.com
- The login page asks for your Instagram credentials
- Friend's account may have recently started posting unusual content
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Do not click the link
- Contact your friend through a different channel to warn them
- Report the message within Instagram
- If you clicked the link and entered your password, change your Instagram password immediately
- Enable two-factor authentication on your Instagram account
Sources
- Instagram Help Center — Protect yourself from phishing
- Action Fraud UK — Social media account takeover warnings