Instagram shut down multiple fake accounts impersonating Brazilian celebrities last week. The fraudulent profiles used stolen identities to push illegal gambling sites and spread false information. Some accounts had accumulated over 500,000 followers before Meta removed them.
At least ten fan pages were operating under fake identities. Several displayed Instagram’s blue verification badge, which is meant to confirm authenticity. One particularly large account had more than 230,000 followers and used photos of Carlinhos Maia, one of Brazil’s biggest influencers. The page directed users to unlicensed betting platforms through misleading links.
Why These Scams Work So Well
The fake accounts didn’t just copy celebrity images. They created AI-generated content showing fictional celebrity relationships. These fake stories went viral quickly. Once the content gained traction, operators would slip in gambling promotions disguised as entertainment posts.
Meta confirmed it deleted the identified profiles for “violations of our authentic representation policy.” But the damage was already done. Thousands of users had already clicked through to fraudulent betting sites.
Digital law specialist Daniel Ângelo Luiz da Silva explained that creating fake profiles to mislead users constitutes multiple crimes. Fraud, defamation and false identity are all potential charges. Operators could face civil penalties as well.
What Makes This Part of a Bigger Problem
Social media has become a primary vehicle for gambling-related fraud in Brazil. The country’s booming betting market attracts both legitimate operators and criminals.
Earlier this month, federal authorities dismantled a raffle network led by influencers. The group allegedly laundered millions through online games and social media campaigns. This Instagram case follows the same pattern, using social platforms to drive traffic to illegal operations.
The verification badge added legitimacy to the scam. Users naturally trust accounts with blue checkmarks. That trust makes them more likely to click suspicious links.
How Brazil Plans to Fight Back
A new bill in Brazil proposes allocating part of betting tax revenues to strengthen cybersecurity. The funds would help combat online crime, including these types of scams.
Authorities and experts warn that online scams and illegal betting are increasingly overlapping. As Brazil’s regulated betting market grows, so does the shadow market of unlicensed operators. These groups exploit social media’s reach and the public’s trust in celebrity endorsements.
The takedowns represent just one small battle. Fake accounts can be recreated quickly. And AI-generated content is getting harder to spot. Meta will need to maintain constant vigilance to keep these operations off its platform.
For now, Brazilian users should verify celebrity accounts carefully before clicking any betting-related links. If something seems off, it probably is.
