9 Warning Signs an Instagram Vendor is Fake

Online shopping has become the new normal. Thanks to COVID-19, which accelerated the adoption of e-commerce among the average person, especially in Africa. While buying online has made our lives easier, it also comes with various schemes and scams by unscrupulous individuals.

Instagram is a common platform for Nigerian shoppers, particularly for fashion, beauty, gadgets, and home essentials. However, fake Instagram vendors are almost as common as the real ones.

A 2023 report by the EFCC revealed that over 14% of online fraud cases involved fake social media businesses, with Instagram vendors leading the list.

Here’s how to protect yourself and your money.

1. No Verifiable Contact Info

A legitimate business will always provide at least one verifiable contact option, such as a phone number, email address, or business address. If all you see is “DM to order” with no additional information, that’s a red flag.

 Tip: Run a reverse image or phone number search via Google or Truecaller.

2. Prices That Are Too Good to Be True

Scammers bait you with ridiculously low prices. If a smartphone costs around ₦70,000 everywhere but the IG vendor is offering it for ₦40,000, it’s either fake, stolen, or a scam.

Price manipulation is often cited in broader fraud discussions as fake orders drive trust or create hype.

3. No Customer Reviews or Reposts

Genuine vendors repost reviews, tagged photos, or testimonials. If their page looks perfect but there are no real customers engaging, that’s suspicious.

“A major warning sign in online scams is the absence of genuine customer feedback or a flood of generic praise. In many fraudulent setups, scammers deliberately delete comments or use bots to simulate positive reviews,” as cited in the 2024 NDSS Symposium paper.

4. No Payment on Delivery Option

Many fake vendors demand full payment upfront. If there’s no payment on delivery (POD) option for first-time buyers, it could be a trap.

5. Inconsistent Branding or Poor Quality Posts

Scam pages are usually rushed. You’ll see inconsistent fonts, grainy images, or stock photos with logos that have been poorly pasted. Authentic brands invest in their look.

 Use tools like TinEye or Google Reverse Image Search to verify product photos.

6. Suspiciously New Pages

Check the account creation date or scroll through older posts. A page that suddenly appeared last week and already has “over 10k followers” is likely using bought followers.

7. Turned-Off Comments

Scammers often disable comments to prevent complaints from other victims. If all posts have “comments disabled,” ask yourself why.

8. Pressure Tactics (“Only One Left!”)

Fake vendors use urgency tactics, such as “Only 1 left,” “Price goes up in 1 hour,” or “We’re closing shop today.” These tricks force rushed payments.

 “Urgency tactics such as countdown timers or ‘act now’ messages are recognised across fraud detection platforms as persuasion methods aimed at suppressing critical thinking. 

9. No Proof of Delivery

A legit vendor will gladly show you waybill slips, logistics partners, or customer delivery confirmations. If there’s nothing, that’s a problem. 

As Instagram shopping becomes increasingly popular, it becomes more attractive to fraudsters. But awareness is your best defence. By knowing what to look for, you not only protect your money but also help others avoid falling victim. Trust your instincts and don’t let likes blind you to the red flags.