Have you ever scrolled through social media and thought, Wow, this person is making six figures a month, how do I get in on that? Same. Social media is flooded with people claiming they’ve cracked the code to overnight success, passive income, or early retirement. But here’s the truth: many of these so-called experts are selling dreams, not real opportunities. And unfortunately, their business model often depends on taking your money. Let’s talk about these influencer scams to avoid in more depth!
As a financial educator, I’ve seen too many people fall for scams that look legitimate on the surface, but end up being nothing more than smoke and mirrors. That’s why I’m breaking down 7 influencer scams you need to avoid if you want to protect your time, your money, and your peace of mind.
This isn’t about calling out entrepreneurs doing real work, this is about helping you spot the red flags and protect yourself from manipulative marketing tactics that don’t deliver. Let’s get into it.
1. The fake guru pyramid scheme
This one is everywhere. An “expert” promises to teach you how to make money. But the only real way to earn is by getting others to sign up under you.
The scam: They sell expensive courses, mentorships, or access to a private community. But the program only “works” if you keep recruiting more people. This is a classic pyramid scam.
Red flag: If the success formula only works when others are constantly joining, it’s not a business, it’s a scam.
2. The six-figure income lie
You’ve seen it: “I made $100K this month, let me show you how!” Sounds amazing, right? But there’s often no proof of how they made that money.
The scam: Their income doesn’t come from a thriving business. It comes from selling you a system, often overpriced coaching or courses, with no clear skills or strategy behind it.
Red flag: If they never show what their actual business is (beyond selling courses), be skeptical.
3. The passive income DM scam
Ever received a message saying, “Hey, I can mentor you to make passive income!”? If someone you don’t know is sliding into your DMs with a “business opportunity,” run.
The scam: These are often crypto or forex recruitment schemes where the only way to earn is by bringing in more people.
Red flag: If the mentorship starts with asking for money and ends with access to a vague “community,” it’s not mentorship, it’s manipulation.
4. Dropshipping and Amazon FBA get-rich-quick courses
Dropshipping and Amazon FBA can be legitimate businesses, but not when influencers promise quick riches with no work.
The scam: They sell “step-by-step blueprints” that leave out how complex, competitive, and expensive these ventures really are.
Red flag: If someone makes all their money teaching dropshipping rather than doing it successfully themselves, be cautious.
5. Done-for-you automated business schemes
This scam is wrapped in convenience: someone offers to build a fully automated business for you; Airbnb rentals, crypto bots, vending machines, Amazon stores, just invest and sit back.
The scam: You pay a hefty setup fee, but the business either never launches or is poorly run. Meanwhile, the scammer disappears with your money.
Red flag: There’s no such thing as a completely hands-off business that prints money while you sleep. Check out our list of passive income ideas if you are looking for ones to explore.
6. Fake investment and crypto flipping scams
Fake investors are everywhere on social media. in my opinion, this has to be the biggest one on the list of influencer scams to avoid. They’ll promise to “flip” your money through crypto or forex with guaranteed returns, and some even impersonate real financial brands (including scammers that impersonate Clever Girl Finance!).
The scam: You send them money, they show fake screenshots of success, and then they ghost you.
Red flag: No legitimate investment guarantees profits. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Reminder: Clever Girl Finance never sends DMs asking for money or investment. We do not trade crypto or forex. Always verify.
7. Overpriced coaching programs that teach nothing
High-ticket coaching isn’t always a scam but many influencers charge thousands for generic advice that you could find online for free. (Clever Girl Finance offers over 30+ completely free courses!)
The scam: They use pressure tactics like “If you don’t invest in yourself, you don’t want success.” But once you pay, there’s little real strategy or actionable support.
Red flag: If they can’t explain exactly what you’ll get for your money, walk away.
8. Guaranteeing easy money
You’ve probably seen videos of people claiming you can make $500 in one day by signing up for a job that anyone can easily do.
The scam: You’re told that you can sign up with a company that will pay you a large amount of money for some easy but very odd job. Alternatively, they say all you have to do is learn a new skill and then find clients who will pay you $200 an hour for your services. The problem is, companies that pay large sums of money have a very strict application process. Likewise, finding clients who will pay over $100 an hour requires high-level marketing and sales skills that they don’t teach you.
Red flag: If they promise a large amount of money in a short amount of time, don’t believe the hype.
9. The brand new side hustle you’ve never heard of
You’ve probably come across some influencer saying they make money with this brand new side hustle that you’ve never heard of before. If it sounds odd, it’s because it is.
The scam: They try to convince you that other side hustles, such as selling on Etsy or affiliate marketing, are the old ways of making extra income. Then, they present you with some “hidden gem” of a side hustle. Next, they’ll introduce you to a course to teach you about this “new” and undiscovered method. In reality, they aren’t teaching you anything new.
Red flag: If you’ve never heard of the side hustle before, or if there’s very little information available about it, there’s a high chance it’s made up.
10. Fake programs connected to big companies
This scam involves telling you that a well-known company will pay you to do some simple task, like reviewing products.
The scam: They’ll tell you that companies like Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon have programs where you can rate products, stream music, or do some simple task and get paid a large salary. The truth is, these programs usually don’t exist, or they require a lot more effort than they are implying.
Red flag: If they claim that some big company will pay you to do a certain type of work, always go directly to that company’s website to see if the program is legitimate and read all the details.
Expert tip: Do a credibility check
Before investing in any course, mentorship, or business opportunity promoted by an influencer, do a credibility check. Look for verified reviews, transparent income reports, and clear explanations of what you’ll receive. If you can’t find independent success stories, or if everything leads back to them making money from course sales, it’s time to walk away.
How to avoid influencer scams
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself from scams disguised as inspiration:
- Follow the money: Ask: How are they actually making money? If their only business is selling courses or recruiting others, be cautious.
- Check for transparency: Legit entrepreneurs show real results, case studies, and receipts, not just luxury lifestyle content and vague testimonials.
- Avoid vague promises: If they can’t clearly explain how their system works, don’t hand over your money.
- Trust your instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Scammers rely on emotional manipulation and urgency to push you into quick decisions.
- Educate yourself: The more financially literate you are, the harder it is for someone to take advantage of you.
Related content
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Empower yourself with knowledge and avoid getting scammed!
There will always be people trying to sell you a shortcut to wealth. But true financial success doesn’t come from overpriced courses or sliding into people’s DMs. It comes from learning real skills, making smart decisions, and building over time.
At Clever Girl Finance, we’re here to help you do just that, without gimmicks or pressure. No tricks, no hype, no scams. Just real advice from women who are building wealth the honest way!
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