Instagram content creators have reported significant financial losses stemming from a fraud scheme in which extortionists file fraudulent copyright claims against their accounts, then demand payment to withdraw the claims. The scam exploits Meta’s account suspension policy, which can result in temporary takedowns or permanent bans after repeated claims. Multiple creators told media outlets they experienced dozens of obviously spurious complaints, often originating from the same sender, followed by demands for payment via private messaging or cryptocurrency.
One prominent creator with 1.5 million followers stated he paid $50 in cryptocurrency as a last resort after his account was suspended, citing Meta’s lengthy appeals process as a key factor in his decision. Another creator reported losing brand contracts and income after being demonetised due to the volume of claims, and expressed frustration that Meta required a monthly subscription fee to access priority support during the crisis. According to those affected, Meta does not verify the legitimacy of copyright complaints before acting on them, creating vulnerability to abuse.
Meta stated that it has designed systems to prevent such incidents and that it works to protect creators from fraudulent activity. Following inquiry from media outlets, the company indicated it had restored affected content and implemented additional safeguards for accounts targeted by repeated claims. However, creators maintain that Meta’s response mechanisms remain inadequate compared to the speed at which scammers operate, and that the company does insufficient investigation into potential abuse patterns.
The BBC identified individuals apparently based in India or nearby regions who claimed to file copyright strikes on behalf of rights holders, though some acknowledged retaining payment for their services. Legitimate copyright enforcement agencies do exist and operate transparently on behalf of clients, but experts note that automated systems powered by artificial intelligence have likely made large-scale fraud campaigns more feasible. Digital copyright law experts indicated such schemes date back decades but have expanded due to technological advancement and the difficulty platforms face in distinguishing legitimate claims from fraudulent ones among billions of users.
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