To what extent do fake identities on social media contribute to online scams and cybercrime?

By Rania Sadaq

Insights For Youth

Written By: Rania Sadaq

October 7, 2026

Introduction

Nowadays, it is undeniable that in an era where technology is prominent and rapidly developing, the use of social media has become an important and almost indispensable part of our daily lives. But could something that offers us so much freedom and opens so many portals also be a double-edged sword? This leads us to a more precise question: To what extent do fake identities on social media contribute to online scams and cybercrime? To answer this, the article will explore the specific tactics used by scammers to exploit trust, the shady side of online impersonation, and essential steps we should take to safeguard our digital footprint.

Background Information

A fake identity can be used to protect ourselves from the dangers of the internet, whether by creating a fake name, using a false image, providing false personal information, or using an anonymous username. But what makes the difference between one fake identity from another? It's clearly the intention behind it and the purpose it serves. Scammers use fake names, images, professions, personal stories, or even pretend to have a certain lifestyle in order to appear more trustworthy. Once trust has been established, scammers can manipulate the victim into sharing personal information, sending money or taking other actions that benefit them. In some cases, this manipulation can also involve sexual exploitation or even the sexual abuse of children.

Research Findings

Anne is a 53-year-old French woman who was deceived by scammers impersonating the American actor Brad Pitt (Mouriquand). The scammer did not immediately ask for money. The manipulation was as strategic as a fox hunting its prey. By pretending to be Brad Pitt, the scammer first created an emotional connection and gained her trust. He then used romantic messages, personal stories and fake medical problems to make her believe that he genuinely needed her help. He claimed to have kidney cancer and told her that his bank accounts had been frozen because of his divorce from Angelina Jolie. He even sent her AI-generated images of himself in hospital. Believing that she was helping someone she loved, Anne eventually transferred around €830,000 to the scammers (Mouriquand). Statistics further show that this is not an isolated phenomenon, with reported losses from scams starting on social media reaching $2.1 billion in the United States in 2025 (Federal Trade Commission).

A more disturbing case is that of Breck Bednar, a 14-year-old British boy who met Lewis Daynes through online gaming. Daynes created an online friendship with Breck and gradually gained his trust over approximately 13 months (Surrey Police). He told him lies about himself and invented a successful computer business, eventually convincing Breck to visit him. In 2014, Breck was brutally murdered. The scammer first presented himself as a friend, gained Breck's trust, isolated him from people around him and then used that trust to lure him into a dangerous situation. In the United Kingdom, police recorded 7,062 offences involving sexual communication with a child in 2023/24, an 89% increase compared with 2017/18 (NSPCC). The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children also reports that perpetrators can first approach children through video games before moving conversations to more private platforms (NSPCC).

Breck's case therefore shows how a virtual friendship can become a real-life danger when a false identity is used to gain a child's trust.

Impact on Youth/Society

A. Psychological Impact

Several psychological consequences can result from cybercriminal attacks involving fake identities. One of the most significant is shame. When individuals realize they have been manipulated, they may feel embarrassed or responsible for what happened to them. This can make it difficult for them to speak about their experience or seek help. A victim may experience a loss of self-confidence, social isolation, guilt and serious psychological distress. In cases involving sexual blackmail, predators may threaten victims with the release of intimate photographs or other private content. Fear, shame, and harassment can place victims under considerable psychological pressure.

B. Financial Impact

Fake identities can also lead to serious financial losses. Scammers often pretend to be someone trustworthy to convince their victims to send them money or share their banking information. They may also use emotional manipulation or create a sense of urgency to make people act without thinking carefully. In some cases, victims are threatened with the release of their private photos or conversations unless they pay money. As a result, victims may lose their savings or become targets of further financial exploitation.

C. Privacy, Identity and Safety

Sometimes people find their own pictures being used on the dark web, on pornographic websites or on different platforms because their identity has been stolen. Their stolen pictures, privacy, and identities are exploited without their consent and for purposes they never authorized.

D. Youth & Society

The cases of Anne and Breck show that the problem is not really about the age of the victim. Anne was 53 years old while Breck was only 14. Both cases are completely different, but they show that cybercrime can affect different age groups and the whole society. Raising awareness and teaching people about the dangers of fake identities can help prevent more victims and make social media a safer place.

Schools can teach students about fake identities, online predators, manipulation and the dangers of sharing private information. Parents also have an important role to play by talking to their children about online dangers and making sure they feel safe enough to speak when something suspicious happens. Awareness can also be raised through TV programmes and public awareness campaigns. These programmes could show real cases and explain how scammers and predators operate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fake identities on social media play an important role in online scams and cybercrime. Criminals use fake names, pictures and personal stories to gain people's trust and take advantage of them. As the cases of Anne and Breck show, anyone can become a victim, regardless of age. The consequences can be serious, including financial loss, psychological distress, identity theft and even physical harm. To reduce these risks, schools should educate students about online dangers, parents should talk openly with their children and awareness campaigns should teach people how to recognize suspicious behaviour. People should also be careful about the information they share online and report suspicious accounts. Although social media has become part of our daily lives we must learn to use it carefully and protect ourselves and others from those who misuse it.

Works Cited

Federal Trade Commission. "Reported Losses to Scams on Social Media Eight Times Higher Than in 2020." Federal Trade Commission, 27 Apr. 2026, www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/04/reported-losses-scams-social-media-eight-times-higher-2020.

Mouriquand, David. "Viral Scam: French Woman Duped by AI Brad Pitt Love Scheme Faces Cyberbullying." Euronews, 15 Jan. 2025, euronews.com.

NSPCC. "Online Grooming Crimes against Children Increase by 89% in Six Years." NSPCC, 1 Nov. 2024, www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2024/online-grooming-crimes-against-children-increase-six-years.

Surrey Police. "Breck's Last Game Film." Surrey Police, 2018, www.surrey.police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/au/about-us/brecks-last-game/.