Scammers advertised a fake Instagram rewards program, falsely promising users they could easily earn lots of money on the social media app.
Scammers advertised a fake Instagram rewards program, falsely promising users they could easily earn lots of money on the social media app.

In November 2025, online users received ads about an allegedly new Instagram Rewards Program for creators, a supposed moneymaking opportunity claiming to pay users for watching and rating videos. People might search for how to enroll, sign up, or download what looks like an “Instagram rewards app,” as well as reviews for the purported rewards program. However, Instagram does not offer a rewards program of any kind.

The so-called “Instagram Rewards Program” promoted through tryigapp.com is not affiliated with Instagram, Meta, or any legitimate advertising company. Instead, it’s a scam designed to steal money and personal information through deceptive video ads, fabricated earnings, and AI-generated celebrity deepfakes.


How the Scam Begins on Facebook and Instagram

This scam starts with Facebook and Instagram ads that use fake celebrity endorsements. One widely seen version features a deepfake video of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson driving in a car and speaking directly into the camera. In the video, “The Rock” claims that a new Instagram app allows users to earn $100 to $300 per day simply by watching and rating videos. The claim sounds enticing, but it’s completely fabricated.

When users click the ad, they’re redirected to the domain tryigapp.com, which presents a flashy message reading, “Congratulations! You have been selected for Instagram’s new rewards program. Enjoy! You’ve already earned US$32.27! Complete all assessments and make your first withdrawal!”

The site mimics Instagram’s branding and layout to appear credible, but it’s entirely unaffiliated. This design choice is intentional — scammers want visitors to believe they’re on an official Instagram page, even though the web address clearly doesn’t belong to Instagram or Meta.


The Fake Quiz That Creates a Sense of Progress

Once on tryigapp.com, users encounter what looks like an interactive quiz. Three “surveys” ask users to rate supposed Instagram posts from major brands:

  1. A Netflix post about Emily in Paris, asking, “Is this photo relevant to you?” with options labeled “Not relevant” or “Relevant.”
  2. A Coca-Cola post asking, “Would you watch this content?”
  3. A McDonald’s post asking, “Do you find this interesting?”

After answering, the site instantly displays a fake balance: “Your total earnings from completing 3 surveys: $278.00.” It then prompts users to “register your bank account and withdraw funds.”

But before any withdrawal can happen, the site instructs users to watch a “4-minute tutorial video” to proceed. That video turns out to be far longer — yet another lie in a long chain of deceptions.


The False Promise of Instant Payouts

Scammers behind tryigapp.com design these fake quizzes to make people feel as though they’ve already earned money. The message implies that the withdrawal process is simple and immediate, building trust and anticipation before introducing the next layer of deception.

In reality, there are no earnings and no rewards. No one receives any money from Instagram because Instagram has no such program. Instead, users are led down a scripted funnel that ultimately asks them to pay a fee — the exact opposite of what the scam initially promises.


Deepfake Videos Featuring Fake Tony Robbins

The “tutorial video” on tryigapp.com is not instructional at all. Instead, it plays a lengthy promotional video using AI-generated deepfakes of well-known figures, including Tony Robbins.

The fake Tony Robbins claims he worked as a waiter at Olive Garden until the end of 2024, then supposedly turned his life around by using Instagram’s new rewards system. He then says he now earns hundreds or thousands of dollars per day through the platform. The video even includes a AI-generated photo of Robbins wearing an Olive Garden uniform — an absurd image that makes the deception even more obvious.

Scammers advertised a fake Instagram rewards program, falsely promising users they could easily earn lots of money on the social media app.
A scammer used an AI tool to create this fake image of Tony Robbins.

In reality, Tony Robbins never endorsed this product, never worked at Olive Garden, and has no connection to tryigapp.com. The scammers misspelled his name at one point in the video, only to display it correctly later — one of several small but telling errors that expose how sloppily the operation was assembled.


Using AI-Generated Audio to Create Fake Testimonials

Throughout the video, other fake “users” appear, supposedly offering testimonials. A man named “John” claims he was $27,000 in debt, working as a delivery driver, until he joined the “Instagram rewards system.” He says he now makes $300 per day, quit his job, and takes his family to expensive restaurants.

The audio, however, is unmistakably artificial. It’s generated by AI, just like the voices and movements of the other deepfake characters. The video also uses incorrect punctuation typical of non-English speakers — such as using “1.000” instead of “1,000” — suggesting the creators are operating from outside the United States.

Another fake testimonial comes from “Emma,” who claims she began endorsing content for brands like Amazon, Walmart, Apple, and Netflix through Instagram. She allegedly quit her job after earning hundreds per day using the “platform.” None of these statements are real, and no such platform exists.


The Fake “Response Institute” and the $57 Checkout Page

After the video finishes, users are prompted to “activate” their account by purchasing a supposed training or access package called “IG Pro” from a company listed as Response Institute. This purchase happens through Hotmart, a platform that hosts digital products.

The checkout page displays the email support@tryigapp.com and lists a $57 charge. However, this fee is only the beginning. Based on patterns seen in past similar scams, these types of purchases often result in additional unauthorized charges, sometimes totaling hundreds of dollars. Victims frequently find that their credit card companies later flag the charges as fraudulent due to suspicious billing behavior.

Once payment is made, there’s no legitimate way to contact the seller or obtain a refund. The so-called money-back guarantee is meaningless because the operators are anonymous and unreachable.


Why Victims Risk More Than Just Losing Money

Falling for the Instagram Rewards Program scam doesn’t just risk a small upfront payment. Scammers may also capture victims’ personal and financial information, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and credit card details.

These details can be sold to other fraud rings or placed on lists of “leads” — meaning victims might be targeted again in future scams. Being on such lists can expose users to identity theft attempts, phishing messages, or calls from fake “customer service” representatives claiming to offer refunds or upgrades.

No matter what the scammers promise, no money will ever be paid out. The entire system exists to extract funds and data from victims under the illusion of legitimate earnings.


Why It Looks Believable at First

The scam works because it mimics common online experiences that feel normal: taking quick surveys, seeing familiar brands, and believing that big companies value consumer feedback. Combined with celebrity deepfakes and high-quality video editing, the illusion appears professional.

Moreover, by exploiting the recognizable Instagram interface, scammers build false legitimacy. The language, icons, and graphics mirror real Instagram design elements, making it harder for casual users to realize they’ve been redirected to an unrelated domain.

The promise of “no investment needed” further lowers skepticism. The initial claim that the app is free tricks users into proceeding before the eventual $57 payment request appears later in the funnel.


Previous Versions of the Same Scam

The Instagram Rewards Program scam isn’t original. Similar schemes have circulated for TikTok and YouTube, each pretending that those platforms launched “reward” or “monetization” apps that pay users for engagement.

Each version follows the same pattern:

  1. Fake celebrity endorsements through deepfakes.
  2. Claims of free sign-up and instant cash.
  3. A “quiz” that pretends to track progress and generate fake earnings.
  4. A payment page promising access to a secret or exclusive program.
  5. No real earnings, refunds, or support once payment is made.

This repeat playbook demonstrates that scammers constantly recycle the same tactics under new brand names and domains. The product names, logos, and URLs change, but the core deception remains identical.


The Role of Hotmart and Fake Guarantees

The checkout process hosted on Hotmart makes the operation appear structured. Hotmart is a real platform, but scammers exploit it by creating short-lived product listings that vanish soon after victims begin filing refund requests.

While the Hotmart page promises a money-back guarantee, those guarantees are meaningless when the underlying product is fraudulent. The scam’s creators stay hidden behind fake names, making any dispute nearly impossible.

Anyone who encounters “IG Pro” or Response Institute on Hotmart should avoid entering any personal or financial information. The best course of action is to close the page immediately and report the link to Hotmart and Meta.


Fake Authority and Manipulative Language

The scam’s script intentionally uses authoritative phrases to sound credible. Claims like “The New York Times calls this the biggest financial opportunity of 2025” or “Thousands have already changed their lives” are inserted to reduce doubt.

But none of those statements are true. The New York Times never reported on any Instagram rewards program, and there’s no legitimate evidence of participants earning income. The repetition of these fake endorsements across multiple fake testimonials helps reinforce false legitimacy — a hallmark of organized online fraud.


The Danger of Deepfakes in Scam Marketing

Deepfake technology now allows scammers to create convincing fake videos of celebrities, influencers, and even politicians. The Instagram Rewards Program scam is a prime example of how these tools are weaponized to spread fraud.

The deepfake “Rock” video exploits trust in recognizable faces. People instinctively believe celebrities wouldn’t risk their reputations endorsing scams. That misplaced trust makes the deception more powerful than traditional text-based phishing attempts.

As deepfake tools become easier to use, scams like this will continue to evolve, making it crucial for users to question even seemingly genuine video content.


What Happens After Payment

If someone pays the $57 fee, no rewards app appears. Instead, users receive vague instructions, broken links, or empty promises to “activate” their accounts later. Any contact emails listed — such as support@tryigapp.com — either bounce back or receive automated replies.

In some cases, scammers may attempt upsells, asking for more money to “unlock higher earnings levels.” These tactics pressure victims into paying multiple times, sometimes using subscription models that automatically rebill monthly.

Victims may later notice unexplained charges on their bank or credit card statements. If this happens, it’s vital to contact the bank immediately to report suspected fraud and request a new card.


Why Scammers Stay Anonymous

The people behind these scams operate under layers of fake names, proxy servers, and offshore accounts. Domains like tryigapp.com are often registered anonymously or through privacy services that hide ownership.

Scammers know the operation is illegal, so they hide their identities to avoid prosecution or public exposure. Once enough reports surface about one website, they simply abandon it and relaunch under a different name.

Because these schemes move quickly across platforms, staying cautious and recognizing red flags is the best defense.


Red Flags That Expose the Scam

Several details clearly show Instagram Rewards Program is fake:

  • The website’s domain name, tryigapp.com, doesn’t belong to Instagram or Meta.
  • Claims of “instant daily payments” contradict how real platforms operate.
  • The supposed “4-minute” video lasts much longer and contains deepfake footage.
  • The checkout page requests a $57 fee to access what was claimed to be free.
  • The video contains obvious grammatical and punctuation errors, indicating it originates from outside the U.S.
  • The celebrity appearances are AI-generated, not real endorsements.

Any combination of these warning signs should make potential users pause before proceeding.


How to Protect Yourself

Anyone who encounters this scam should avoid clicking any buttons or submitting any payment or personal information. Screenshot the ad or website and report it directly to Meta’s advertising platform for fraudulent activity.

If payment was made, immediately contact the bank or credit card provider to dispute the charge and request a replacement card. Monitoring credit reports for unusual activity can also help prevent identity theft.

To learn more about consumer fraud awareness, trusted organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Consumer Reports, and Trustpilot provide resources and user feedback on scams and deceptive marketing schemes.


Why Search Interest Is Rising

People are likely actively searching for Instagram Rewards Program reviews and trying to confirm whether the opportunity is real. Many expect to find official enrollment links or app store listings for a supposed Instagram rewards app, only to find nothing legitimate.

That gap between curiosity and available information allows scammers to thrive. The lack of trustworthy reviews gives their fake pages more visibility, tricking users who assume a lack of warnings means legitimacy.

Comprehensive, fact-based content — like this article — helps fill that void by explaining what’s really happening behind these deceptive ads.


The Bottom Line

The Instagram Rewards Program promoted through tryigapp.com is 100% fake. It uses AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities like The Rock and Tony Robbins to trick viewers into believing in a nonexistent “Instagram rewards app.”

Instagram and Meta have never launched such a program and never pay users to rate or watch ads. Every part of the presentation — from the fake quiz to the fake withdrawal page and fake testimonials — is crafted to manipulate users into paying for nothing.

Once money is sent, victims lose access to the scammers and risk further fraudulent charges or identity theft. There are no legitimate earnings, and no one ever receives the promised payouts.

The only people making money are the scammers themselves.


FAQ: Instagram Rewards Program Scam

What is Instagram Rewards Program?
It’s a fraudulent scheme promoted on tryigapp.com that claims Instagram pays users for watching and rating videos. Instagram has no such program.

Is tryigapp.com affiliated with Instagram or Meta?
No. The site is completely unaffiliated and uses fake branding to deceive visitors.

Can anyone actually earn money from the program?
No one receives real payouts. All “earnings” shown on the site are fabricated.

Why do they use celebrities like The Rock and Tony Robbins?
Scammers use deepfakes and AI-generated voices to fake celebrity endorsements, creating trust and urgency.

What should I do if I paid the $57 fee?
Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately to report the charge and request a replacement card.

How can I verify legitimate opportunities?
Always check official websites or app stores for real programs. Be skeptical of unsolicited ads promising easy income.

Does Instagram have a rewards program?
No, Instagram does not and has never had a rewards program, app, or system paying users for engagement.


At its core, Instagram Rewards Program via tryigapp.com is not an opportunity — it’s a scam that weaponizes AI deepfakes and fake testimonials to trick users into paying for nothing. Staying alert, questioning extraordinary claims, and verifying sources are the best defenses against becoming the next victim.

Editor’s Note: I utilized ChatGPT to help write part of this article. However, ChatGPT used the transcript from a well-researched YouTube video I created about this subject, meaning hard work went into the creation of this scam-busting effort. Scammers use AI to scam people. It’s time we use AI to bust their scams.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments