In the digital age, Instagram is a lifeline for many businesses. But what happens when this lifeline is unjustly cut by a scam involving AI and a fake Toni Kroos?
This is the story of Visa Mondial Consulting Ltd., whose Instagram account, with over 227,000 followers, was deactivated due to a sophisticated scam, putting 200 jobs at risk.
Instagram’s low security, over-reliance on AI, and weak customer support were all contributing factors.
The Heart of the Story
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into building Visa Mondial’s online presence over the past seven years,” says Morteza Homapour, CEO of Visa Mondial Consulting Ltd. “Losing our Instagram account felt like losing a part of our past.”
The Heart of the Story
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into building Visa Mondial’s online presence over the past seven years,” says Morteza Homapour, CEO of Visa Mondial Consulting Ltd. “Losing our Instagram account felt like losing a part of our past.”
Visa Mondial spent years creating over 5,000 pieces of valuable content. This digital footprint was essential for connecting with clients worldwide. Many of Visa Mondial’s followers depended on their Instagram account to stay updated with the most recent immigration news and developments. But on July 17th, 2024, everything changed.
The Scam Unfolds
It has been over a week since hackers found a way to exploit Instagram’s AI reports system. The sophisticated scam was implemented in two steps:
- Impersonation: Scammers created fake accounts of celebrities resembling Visa Mondial’s staff to deceive Instagram face recognition algorithm.
- False Reports: They filed false copyright reports against Visa Mondial’s content. For instance:
- A photo was flagged by a fake account claiming to be a Visa Mondial vlogger.
- A video featuring an employee was reported by an account impersonating footballer Toni Kroos of Real Madrid.
The Scam Unfolds
Instagram’s AI, designed to detect and act on policy violations, couldn’t distinguish between real and fake Toni Krooses. As a result, Visa Mondial’s account was deactivated for alleged repeated violations of community guidelines against an account that apparently belonged to none other than a fake Toni Kroos.
The Impact
The deactivation didn’t just disrupt digital operations—it threatened livelihoods. “Our team of 200 dedicated employees relies on our online presence to attract and serve clients,” explains Morteza. “This isn’t just about lost content; it’s about lost jobs. I urge Instagram to take immediate action and restore our account.”
A Call for Change
Visa Mondial’s plight is a stark reminder of the dangers of over-relying on AI without human oversight. Instagram must improve its systems to prevent such unjust deactivations.
Take Action
Join us in demanding better from Instagram. Share this story and help us ensure no other business faces the same fate. Together, we can push for a fairer, more secure digital landscape.
