By ScanMonk Editorial Team

Instagram is now India’s biggest shopping mall.

From trending kurtis and crop tops to designer sarees and streetwear, thousands of new fashion stores appear on your feed every day. They look aesthetic, affordable, and too-good-to-be-true.

Because most of them actually are.

In 2025, Instagram store scams have become one of the fastest-rising online frauds in India. These scams use viral visuals, AI-generated photos, and fake influencer promotions to trap customers - especially young shoppers.

This blog breaks down how Instagram store scams work, why they are exploding right now, and the steps you can take to stay safe.

What Are Instagram Store Scams?

Instagram store scams are fake or semi-legit clothing and fashion pages pretending to be real brands.

They promise:

1. Trendy designs
2. Attractive discounts
3. Cash on Delivery (COD)
4. “Premium” fabric
5. Fast shipping

But once you place an order, you either receive:

1. Poor-quality products
2. Wrong items
3. Fake substitutes
4. Or nothing at all

Most refund and return pages are fake, non-functional, or intentionally confusing.

Why Instagram Store Scams Are Growing in India (2025 Reality)

1. Instagram Is Now a Shopping App

People don’t just scroll — they shop.

Scammers know this and target impulse buyers who shop based on:

1. Aesthetic reels
2. Unreal discounts
3. Viral trending outfits

2. AI-Generated Models and Clothing Photos

Scammers now use:

1. AI models
2. AI clothing mockups
3. AI product imagery
4. AI-generated reviews

This makes their stores look premium when the actual product is nothing like the photo.

3. Cheap Ads + High Reach

With just ₹2,000–₹5,000, scammers can:

1. Run multiple ads
2. Reach 50,000+ people
3. Target tier 2–3 cities
4. Close hundreds of COD orders

Perfect scam model.

4. No Accountability

Instagram does not verify small stores.

Anyone can create:

1. A business account
2. A fake store logo
3. Generic descriptions
4. AI-generated customer videos

Scammers keep switching accounts to stay untraceable.

Most Common Types of Instagram Store Scams in 2025

1. “Premium Export Quality” Scam Pages

These pages claim:

1. Korean style
2. Imported designs
3. Pure cotton
4. Hand-stitched outfits

But product quality turns out miserable:

1. Thin fabric
2. Poor stitching
3. Cheap material

2. One-Time Clearance Sale Scam

These ads say:

1. “Everything under ₹499”
2. “Warehouse closing sale”
3. “End of season”

You order, the page disappears that very night.

3. COD Parcel Scam

One of the most dangerous 2025 scams.

You receive a parcel with:

1. Your name
2. Your number
3. Your address

You assume someone in your house ordered it.

But when you open the box:

1. Cheap cloth
2. Old towel
3. Pop socket
4. Random junk

And return is not allowed because:

“COD products are non-refundable.”

4. Fake Influencer Collaborations

Scammers use:

1. Fake influencers
2. AI faces
3. Stolen videos
4. Reposted reels

They show “unboxing videos” that are not real.

5. Dropshipping Scam Brands

These brands buy ₹150 products from:

1. Sadar Bazaar
2. Crawford Market
3. Meesho wholesalers

They resell them for ₹1,500+ with fake claims like:

1. Organic cotton
2. Hand-embroidered
3. Designer finish

6. Reviews That Are Paid or AI-Generated

Most Instagram brands show:

1. Fake screenshots
2. Paid comments
3. AI-written reviews

Look real. But they are not.

Real Examples: What Users Reported to ScanMonk

Over the last 6 months, we have received complaints like:

1. “Got a completely different product”
2. “Fabric was paper-thin.”
3. “Return window closed automatically”
4. “Website shows in transit for 5 days, then marks delivery.”
5. “Customer care blocks you after payment.”

Brands like Aachho, Lavanya The Label, and dozens of Instagram-only stores have received high volumes of complaints.

Red Flags to Identify Fake Instagram Stores

✔ No real customer photos

✔ No physical address

✔ No business registration number

✔ All pictures look AI-generated or too perfect

✔ Return policy is unclear or confusing

✔ Only UPI payments (high risk)

✔ “COD available” spammed across ads

✔ Profile less than 90 days old

✔ Too many posts in too little time

If you see 3 or more of these signs, do not buy.

How to Protect Yourself (ScanMonk Method)

1. Verify the Website or Store on ScanMonk.com

You will instantly see:

1. Brand trust rating
2. Website age
3. Complaint count
4. Customer experiences
5. Red flags

This takes less than 30 seconds but saves you money.

2. Search for Brand Name + Scam

If the brand has complaints, Google will show them.

3. Check Return, Shipping, and Refund Policies Clearly

If the policies look vague, run.

4. Never Pay UPI to a Random Seller

UPI = no buyer protection.

5. Check Reviews Outside Instagram

Especially:

1. Google
2. Reddit
3. Quora

If reviews don’t exist, high risk.

How ScanMonk Helps You Shop Safely

ScanMonk is building India’s trust infrastructure for online shopping.

We help users:

1. Verify websites
2. Identify scam stores
3. Understand red flags
4. See real customer feedback
5. Read honest brand reviews

With 20,000+ active users and 4,000+ brands listed, we are empowering India to shop safer.

Conclusion

Instagram fashion scams in India are rising faster than ever.

But with simple awareness, careful checks, and tools like ScanMonk, you can protect yourself from fake brands and misleading stores.

The next time you see a trending outfit on Instagram, take a moment, verify it, and shop smart.

Stay alert.

Stay aware.

Stay scam-free with ScanMonk.