False Copyright Claims scam - All You Need to Know

Learn how to fight false copyright claims on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok. Understand DMCA counter-notices and protect your account from extortion scams.

False copyright claims have become a growing menace on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. Creators often find their accounts suspended or permanently banned due to fraudulent reports. In many cases, these false claims are part of extortion scams, where bad actors demand money to withdraw the complaint. Others use phishing tactics, sending fake emails that look like official notices.

This isn’t just an inconvenience; it can destroy years of hard work, brand building, and income. Understanding your rights and knowing how to fight back is critical. In this blog, we’ll explore how false copyright claims work, the common scams involved, your legal remedies under laws like the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act), the Indian Copyright Act, and EU provisions, plus practical steps to protect your accounts.

Table of Contents

Social Media Account Suspensions from False Copyright Claims Scam

Recent reports show a worrying trend of scammers abusing social media copyright tools to freeze creators’ accounts. Fraudsters file fake copyright infringement reports against innocent users’ content, causing platforms (like Instagram and YouTube) to disable profiles or remove posts.

The scammers then extort money, claiming they will retract the bogus claims for a fee. In effect, attackers are using the DMCA takedown process itself as a weapon: they make false infringement claims to get original content taken down, then promise (for payment) to restore it.

DMCA Counter-Notifications and Platform Obligations

Under U.S. law, social platforms must remove alleged infringing material promptly, but they must also restore it if the copyright claimant does not sue within roughly two weeks. Specifically, 17 U.S.C. §512(g)(2)(C) states that after a valid counter-notice is submitted, the service “replaces the removed material and ceases disabling access to it not less than 10, nor more than 14, business days” later – unless the claimant files a court action.

In other words, if you file a DMCA counter-notification asserting your content was wrongly taken down, the platform has about 10 to 14 business days to reinstate it if no lawsuit is filed. Instagram’s own policies align with this timeline.

However, many victims report that Instagram’s automated systems simply ignore or stall these counter-notices. As one creator noted, after filing valid counter-claims in April 2025, “more than 14 business days have passed… Instagram has not reinstated my account,” which is a “direct violation of the DMCA process”.

Fake Copyright Notices and Phishing Scams

A common ploy is to use fake emails and messages that mimic official Instagram warnings. Security researchers describe phishing emails “pretending to be from Instagram,” complete with the Instagram logo and urgent language, claiming the user’s account will be deleted for copyright violations. These emails often contain links to fraudulent “appeal” pages. If the victim clicks and enters login details, the scammer steals the Instagram (and even email) passwords.

For example, one analysis shows a scam email coming from addresses like “theinstagram.team,” warning of imminent suspension and demanding “verification.” The site it leads to asks not only for the Instagram password but also email credentials. In short, these phishing attacks trick users into handing over account access, after which the scammer can disable the account or facilitate further abuse.

Red flags of this scam include: unexpected emails about copyright infringements, strange sender domains (not Instagram.com), poor grammar, or urgent 24 to 48 hour deadlines. Technical Experts advise not to click such links and to enable security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) immediately. In fact, digital security guides urge all Instagram users to use strong, unique passwords and enable 2FA so that even if credentials are compromised, attackers can’t easily log in.

Copyright-Takedown Extortion Schemes

Beyond phishing, criminals have learned to exploit Instagram’s own copyright-reporting system. As a European IP law bulletin notes, scammers “have found ways to access Meta’s copyright management tools to file infringement claims and remove published content”. In practice, this means creating fake (or stolen) accounts to report a creator’s content as “copyright infringement.” The platform’s automatic response is to disable the content (and sometimes the entire account) pending investigation. Once the content is taken down, the scammer contacts the creator asking for payment to undo the claim.

One report summarizes this modus operandi: scammers “make false copyright claims… which leads to the removal of legitimate content from creators. Once the content is removed, the scammers contact the affected parties and offer to restore the content in exchange for substantial payments, threatening to continue their fraudulent claims if their demands are not met”.

This scheme has surfaced worldwide. For example, in July 2024 Bloomberg reported that influencers in the Middle East were being extorted via Meta’s own copyright tools. Victims would find their posts or videos suddenly removed, then receive ransom demands to get them back. Cases have also appeared in Europe and North America, causing creators to rally for stronger platform safeguards. In short, a mechanism intended to protect copyrights is being weaponized: false infringement notices are filed, content vanishes, and demands for money follow.

One in-depth investigation by ProPublica exposed a prolific fraudster known as “OBN” who made this a business. OBN and his network targeted Instagram influencers, including verified accounts, to maximize impact. They used a variety of tricks: hacking into accounts to post offensive content, creating lookalike accounts and reporting the real ones as “impersonators,” even posing as Meta employees.

OBN openly boasted of disabling celebrity and influencer pages, calling himself the “log-out king,” and claimed he “made about $300k just off banning and unbanning pages”. Victims reported that after being banned, OBN or his associates would offer to restore the accounts – for fees up to $5,000. In one case, a Miami influencer had her 100,000-follower account repeatedly deactivated until she paid the scammer.

A Meta spokesperson later acknowledged these abuses: the company has “addressed those situations and taken down dozens of accounts linked to [the scammers],” and it continues investing in defenses. Nevertheless, the scammers remain active, preying on creators and exploiting slow support systems.

This threat isn’t limited to big influencers. In July 2025, the Michigan Attorney General sued two local men for extorting Ferndale businesses using fake copyright reports. According to the lawsuit, the brothers created dozens of bogus companies with names similar to real local shops and restaurants. They then filed fraudulent copyright infringement claims against the legitimate businesses. The businesses were told their content or online presence would be taken down unless they paid the scammers. This scheme shows that even small businesses can be targeted with the same “report-and-demand-ransom” playbook.

Victim Rights and Platform Issues

Victims of these scams can feel trapped. By the time you realize a claim is false, your content (or whole account) is already suspended. The official remedy is to file a DMCA counter-notice asserting that the content was misidentified or misreported. If properly done, Instagram is supposed to forward this notice to the claimant, who then has 10 to 14 business days to file a copyright lawsuit or the account/ content must be reinstated.

Unfortunately, many creators report that Instagram’s actual practice falls short. Appeals often go unanswered or hit automated loops, and there is no guarantee of a live human review. One creator with a business profile described submitting all required proofs and appeals, only to receive generic automated replies and no real help.

Another influencer noted that even after withdrawing or settling all copyright strikes, Instagram disabled her account – contrary to its stated “three strikes” policy. In short, although Instagram could restore you under the law, in practice the company has discretion and limited appeal avenues, leaving many creators stranded.

Legally, this conduct by scammers can itself violate the DMCA. Demanding payment after obtaining a takedown notice (without intending to pursue legitimate claims) is an abuse of the system. Under 17 U.S.C. §512(f), knowingly misrepresenting a copyright infringement claim can incur liability.

In practice, proving and prosecuting this can be difficult, but it means that extortion via DMCA fraud is not just unethical, it is illegal. For now, victims often end up relying on counter-notices, appeals, and sometimes legal warnings to the scammers.

Steps for Affected Creators

If your social media account (for example Instagram) is suspended due to a suspicious copyright claim, consider the following steps:

File a DMCA Counter-Notification. Use platfrom or Instagram’s official form to submit a counter-notice. Clearly state that you are the original creator/owner of the content and that the claim is false. By law, Instagram must forward this to the claimant, who then has 10 to 14 business days to sue or else your content/account must be reinstated. Even though platforms don’t publicize this, citing the DMCA timeline can pressure them internally.
Keep Records and Evidence. Save copies of the takedown notice, communications from the claimant (including any extortion threats), and proof of your ownership (e.g. original image files, timestamps, source data). Documentation can help if you escalate to authorities or file a legal misrepresentation claim.
Don’t Pay the Scammer. Paying an extortion demand only encourages the perpetrator and does not guarantee resolution. Demand for money in this context is likely DMCA misuse. As noted above, lawyers warn that requesting payment after a takedown is a red flag for abuse of the DMCA process. Instead of paying, focus on the formal appeal process.
Secure Your Account. Immediately change your Instagram password and email password. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Security experts strongly recommend these measures to prevent hijackers from using stolen credentials to relaunch attacks. Also remove any unknown connected third-party apps. This helps ensure that even if you inadvertently submitted details to a scam link, the scammer can’t log back in easily.
Appeal Through Official Channels. Besides the DMCA counter-notice, use Instagram’s account recovery or support forms (e.g. the “my account was disabled” form) to explain the situation. Mention the false copyright claims explicitly. If you have Meta Verified or a business account, there may be additional support options (though many creators report mixed results).
Seek Legal Assistance. If managing the recovery process feels overwhelming, consult an IP lawyer immediately to explore potential claims against the scammer or even the platform. Your lawyer can represent you, file the necessary legal notices, and accelerate your account recovery process.
Spread Awareness. Let your followers and fellow creators know about the scam. The more public these incidents become, the more pressure there is on platforms to improve their review processes. Advocacy has led to some platform changes in the past (for example, forcing a review after multiple appeals). As one IP law analyst put it, the creator community is “alarmed” and pushing platforms to tighten security on copyright tools.

In summary, false copyright claims are being used as a tool for fraud and extortion on social media. This exploits legitimate DMCA processes and platform vulnerabilities. Victims should act quickly with formal counter-notices and security measures, but also recognize that recovery may be difficult. Monitoring the situation, involving a alwyer, following security best practices, and joining others in calling for better platform safeguards can help mitigate this emerging problem.

How to Protect Your Social Media Accounts from False Copyright Claims?

Prevention is better than cure. Protect your digital assets by following these best practices:

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Prevent hackers from accessing your account.
Phishing awareness: Never click on links from suspicious emails claiming to be from Instagram or YouTube. Always check the official domain.
Use official appeal forms only: Avoid third-party links promising quick account recovery.
Don’t pay ransom: Paying scammers doesn’t guarantee your account back—it makes you a repeat target.
Back up content: Keep copies of all your posts and videos outside the platform so you can prove ownership and rebuild if needed.
Seek Legal Help: Consult an IP lawyer to handle claims and speed up your account recovery.

Legal Remedies: Your Rights Under Global Copyright Law

Depending on your jurisdiction, you have specific rights against false copyright claims and misuse of takedown systems.

United States – DMCA Remedies

Counter-notice: File a counter-notice with the platform. Content must be restored unless the claimant sues within 10 to 14 business days.
DMCA §512(f): Anyone who knowingly files a false copyright claim can be held liable for damages, including attorney fees.

India – Copyright Act, 1957

Civil remedies: You can claim damages for wrongful copyright claims.
Criminal penalties: Under Section 63, providing false copyright information may lead to fines and imprisonment.

European Union – Copyright Directive (Article 17)

Proportional enforcement: Platforms must balance copyright enforcement with user rights.
Challenging false claims: Creators can demand reinstatement and pursue damages for misuse.

These frameworks show that you are not powerless when your social media account is suspended for copyright.

Steps to Recover Your Suspended Account

If your account has been suspended due to a copyright claim, follow this step-by-step recovery plan:

Use official appeal forms: File a counter-notice on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok. Attach proof of ownership (original files, timestamps).
Gather evidence: Screenshots, EXIF data in photos, and raw files help prove authorship.
Report extortion attempts: If someone demands money to remove a strike, report it to local cybercrime authorities.
Consult an IP lawyer: A lawyer can draft strong legal notices, escalate your appeal, or file damages claims.
Escalate to platform support: Persistent follow-ups, verified contact forms, or even public escalation via platform help accounts can be effective.

A social media account suspended for copyright can feel like the end of your creative journey, but it doesn’t have to be. With global remedies under the DMCA, Indian Copyright Act, and EU law, plus a clear recovery strategy, you can fight false claims, restore your account, and protect your creative rights.

Conclusion

False copyright claims scam are no longer rare, they are part of a global pattern of scams, phishing attacks, and extortion schemes targeting creators. While platforms act conservatively to avoid liability, laws like the DMCA, Indian Copyright Act, and EU directives give you remedies.

If you face a false claim: stay calm, gather evidence, file a counter-notice, and escalate. Don’t give in to extortion. Most importantly, consult an IP lawyer if your livelihood depends on your account.

Facing repeated false claims? Protect your rights today to safeguard your creative work and restore your account.

Need help? Lawfluencers can be contacted at hello@lawfluencers.com for any specific legal concerns or personalized legal consultations.

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

False Copyright Claims scam – All You Need to Know