Grief Medium and Psychic Scam on Instagram
Fraudulent 'mediums' use Instagram ads and DMs targeting recently bereaved users with promises of messages from deceased loved ones, escalating to paid readings and ongoing subscription charges.
Part of: Grief Medium and Psychic Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Instagram's ad-targeting and algorithm make it easy for grief-medium scammers to reach people who have recently engaged with bereavement, memorial, or support-group content, then draw them into direct messages where the pitch becomes personal and increasingly expensive.
How this scam works on Instagram
Scammers run Instagram ads or boosted posts featuring soft, spiritual imagery and testimonials claiming uncanny accuracy in 'connecting with the other side.' After a user follows or comments, the account's algorithm often serves more of the same content, and the scammer or their bot DMs the user offering a 'free initial reading.' During that first free session, the scammer uses vague cold-reading techniques and details gleaned from the user's own public profile (recent posts, comments on memorial pages, tagged photos) to seem convincingly accurate, then claims the deceased has an 'urgent message' that requires a paid, longer session to fully receive.
The scam typically escalates through a series of increasingly expensive Instagram-DM sessions, with the medium claiming a 'negative energy attachment' or 'blocked spirit' needs additional paid rituals or objects to clear, sometimes continuing for months as recurring payments.
Common red flags
- An unsolicited DM follows shortly after you comment on or like grief- or memorial-related content
- The first reading is free but quickly pivots to a claim that a paid session is needed to 'fully unlock' a message
- The medium describes a 'blockage,' 'curse,' or 'attachment' that requires ongoing paid rituals or specific purchased items
- Vague, generalized statements are presented as specific proof of contact with the deceased
- Pressure to keep the arrangement secret from family members who might be skeptical
- Payment is requested via a payment app, cryptocurrency, or gift card rather than a traceable, refundable method
How to protect yourself
- Be cautious about how much grief-related detail you post publicly on Instagram, since scammers can use it as convincing 'evidence'
- Treat any unsolicited spiritual or medium outreach in DMs as a red flag, regardless of how personal it feels
- Never pay to 'unlock' or 'clear' a spiritual message; legitimate practitioners do not use escalating fear-based upsells
- Discuss any medium or psychic contact with a trusted family member before sending any money
- Use Instagram's restrict or block feature immediately if pressured for repeated payments
- Report ads promoting predatory psychic services so Instagram can review the advertiser
How to report it
- Report the account directly in-app via profile menu > Report > Scam or Fraud
- Report the specific ad using Instagram's 'Why am I seeing this ad?' > Report ad option
- File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if payments were made
- Report to your payment provider to dispute recurring or one-time charges tied to the account
Frequently asked questions
How do these mediums seem to know real details about my loved one?
Most information comes from cold-reading techniques and details you or your friends have posted publicly, including comments on obituary posts, photo captions, and prior interactions with grief-related content that the scammer reviews before messaging you.
Is every psychic or medium on Instagram a scammer?
Not necessarily, but any account that uses unsolicited DMs, free-to-paid escalation tactics, or claims of curses and blockages requiring ongoing payment should be treated as a high-risk scam pattern rather than a legitimate service.