Fake Brand Sponsorship Creator Scam on Instagram
A DM from a supposed brand offers a creator a paid sponsorship deal, then asks for a small upfront fee for 'shipping' or 'contract processing' before vanishing.
Part of: Fake Brand Sponsorship Creator Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Instagram's business-account features let anyone set up a profile that looks like an official brand marketing team, complete with a curated grid and a matching bio link, making an unsolicited sponsorship offer feel plausible to creators eager for paid partnerships.
How this scam works on Instagram
The scam begins with a DM from an account styled after a real or plausible-sounding brand, offering the creator a paid post or product collaboration. Once the creator expresses interest, the 'brand representative' sends a polished-looking contract PDF and asks for a small fee to cover 'sample shipping insurance,' a 'contract processing charge,' or a 'marketing verification deposit,' framed as fully refundable once the campaign starts.
After the fee is paid, typically through a payment link, gift card, or wire transfer, the account stops responding, deletes its messages, or blocks the creator outright. Because the brand account itself may impersonate a real company's name and logo without any actual affiliation, creators sometimes reach out to the real brand afterward only to learn no such marketing outreach or partnership program existed.
Common red flags
- A sponsorship offer arriving as a cold DM rather than through a known marketing or influencer platform.
- Any request for payment before the creator has received product or been paid for the collaboration.
- A contract with generic legal language, no verifiable company registration, or a signatory who can't be found elsewhere.
- Brand account details that don't match the real company's verified account or official website contact information.
- Pressure to act quickly to 'lock in' the sponsorship before terms are fully clarified.
- Refusal to have the deal confirmed through the brand's official, verifiable marketing or PR contact.
How to protect yourself
- Verify sponsorship offers by contacting the brand through its official verified account or public website contact, not the DM sender.
- Never pay a fee to receive a sponsorship, sample, or partnership; legitimate brand deals do not require creator-side payment.
- Check whether the offering account is Instagram-verified or matches the brand's known official handle.
- Search the brand name plus 'creator scam' or 'sponsorship scam' before proceeding.
- Insist on a contract reviewed independently, ideally by someone experienced with influencer marketing agreements.
- Keep all sponsorship negotiations in writing and on-platform in case a report is later needed.
How to report it
- Report the impersonating or fraudulent account directly through Instagram's in-app 'Report' function.
- Notify the real brand being impersonated through its official support channels so it can act on the impersonation.
- File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or Action Fraud in the UK.
- Share the scam account details in trusted creator communities to help others avoid it.
Frequently asked questions
Do real brands ever ask creators to pay for anything?
Legitimate brand sponsorships do not require the creator to pay a fee; if payment is involved, it flows from the brand to the creator, not the other way around.
How can I tell if a sponsorship DM is really from the brand?
Cross-check the DM sender's account against the brand's official verified profile and contact the brand through its published website or customer service channel to confirm the offer independently.