Instagram Copyright Strikes Used for Ransom

Scammers are filing fake copyright complaints to get Instagram accounts temporarily suspended, then demanding money to “withdraw” the complaint and restore access. Victims are pushed to communicate off-platform (for example, on Telegram) and asked to pay in cryptocurrency, yet even paying doesn’t stop repeat targeting.

Key findings

• Attackers abuse Meta’s copyright-reporting process by filing repeated fake complaints that can trigger account suspensions.
• After a suspension, scammers move the victim to an external messaging app (such as Telegram) and demand cryptocurrency to withdraw the complaint.
• At least one victim paid “$50 in cryptocurrency,” but was “targeted… again immediately afterward.”
• The scam succeeds because copyright complaints are heavily automated and “It doesn’t verify the authenticity of complaints when they are filed.”
• Business impact includes lost income and “lost brand contracts” due to disabled accounts.

Who’s being targeted

• Commonly targeted roles: Social Media Managers, Marketing/Communications, Creators/Influencers, Customer Support teams handling social accounts, Small business owners who administer brand social accounts.
• Affected industries: Social media creators / influencers, Marketing and advertising (brand partnerships), Small businesses relying on Instagram for sales.
• Attack channels: website, telegram.
• Impersonated: Copyright holder or the copyright holder’s lawyer/authorized representative.

Awareness takeaways

• Never pay to ‘fix’ an account suspension or withdraw a complaint, use official appeal/support routes instead.
• If someone redirects you to Telegram/other messaging apps to resolve an account issue, treat it as a scam and stop the conversation.
• Validate copyright complaints only inside Instagram (notifications/appeals), not via screenshots, links, or messages from strangers.
• Expect impersonation: scammers may pose as rights holders or their attorneys because the system doesn’t verify identity up front.

Red flags to watch for

• Pressure to move support to Telegram instead of using Instagram’s in-app appeal/help options
• Demand for cryptocurrency payment to fix an account or withdraw a complaint
• Repeat complaints from the same sender/account (pattern of harassment rather than a legitimate rights holder dispute)