mac1)This Instagram Scam Uses REAL Millionaires’ Names… Are You Next?

Imagine this: you’re lying in bed, scrolling through Instagram late at night. Suddenly, a notification pops up — a new message. You open it and can’t believe your eyes. It’s from Edwin Castro, the man who made headlines after winning one of the biggest lottery jackpots in American history.

The message is polite but exciting:

"Hello, I’m Edwin Castro. I’ve started a private wealth group to help people achieve financial freedom. I’d like to personally invite you to join. Minimum entry: $1,000, and I’ll show you how to triple it in weeks. Are you interested?"

For a split second, you freeze. You’ve seen his face on TV. You’ve read about his lottery win. And now, somehow, he’s messaging you?

It feels unbelievable.

It feels lucky.

It feels real.

But here’s the truth: it’s not him. It never was.

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Let’s dive in.

This is one of the most dangerous Instagram scams today — one where criminals steal the identities of real millionaires like Edwin Castro and Theodorus Struyck to trick ordinary people into handing over their money. And the scariest part? The scam works because it looks real.

Stay with us — because in the next few minutes, you’ll hear how scammers built fake empires using real names, how victims lost thousands of dollars, and why this could happen to anyone, including you. Before we dive in, don’t forget to hit subscribe and turn on notifications, because the story you’re about to hear could save you or someone you know from falling into the same trap.

Instagram: A Hunting Ground for Scammers

Instagram sells itself as a platform of beauty, connection, and lifestyle. Behind the filters and curated feeds, however, lurks a darker reality. Scams on the platform have been growing year after year, ranging from fake giveaways to romance frauds.

But a new level of sophistication has emerged.

Instead of creating random fake accounts, scammers now hijack the names of real-life millionaires and billionaires. They copy their pictures, their public appearances, their news coverage — and craft convincing profiles that look official.

These aren’t the broken-English scam messages of the past. These are polished accounts with professional graphics, fake engagement, and clever scripts. And the victims? Everyday people scrolling through their feeds, never expecting that a simple DM could empty their savings.

The Case of Theodorus Struyck

The first story begins with Theodorus Struyck, a businessman known in Europe’s financial world. He’s not a Hollywood celebrity, but his name has appeared in press articles and business magazines. For scammers, that’s more than enough.

Fake Instagram accounts under his name began appearing in late 2022. They posted images of luxury villas, champagne parties, and sleek sports cars. The captions promised “exclusive investment opportunities” and “private mentorship programs.”

But the real bait came through direct messages. Victims received personalized DMs like:

"This is Theodorus Struyck. I’m inviting a small group of people to participate in a private investment program. The entry is $2,000, but the return is guaranteed within weeks. Are you interested in joining?"

The accounts had likes. They had comments. Some even had fake testimonials claiming “Struyck’s investment doubled my money!” To someone unfamiliar with scams, the accounts looked authentic.

Victims sent their money through bank transfers, crypto wallets, or PayPal requests. Once the funds were gone, so were the accounts. Blocked. Deleted. Erased.

The real Struyck had nothing to do with it, but his reputation was being used as bait. Imagine waking up to find strangers emailing you, demanding answers about why “you” scammed them. That’s exactly what Struyck faced.

Edwin Castro: A Jackpot for Scammers

Now let’s move to America, where in 2023, Edwin Castro became one of the richest men alive overnight. His Powerball jackpot was worth billions, making him an instant household name. The media chased him, neighbors gossiped about him, and the internet turned him into a symbol of luck.

Scammers saw their golden ticket.

Within weeks, fake Instagram accounts under his name began appearing. Some had thousands of followers, built through bots and paid likes. They reposted real news articles, paparazzi photos, and luxury images, creating the illusion of authenticity.

The hook? Castro was now “sharing his wealth strategies” through private groups. Victims were invited to join his secret “mentorship program” or “investment club.” The entry fees ranged from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands.

To build credibility, scammers sent glossy PDFs, fake contracts, and even video clips stolen from interviews. Some victims were shown fake “returns” through doctored screenshots of bank transfers.

But, of course, the money never came back.

One victim described it like this:

I was convinced it was real. Why would Edwin Castro, a billionaire, risk his reputation by scamming people? I felt honored that he reached out to me. It wasn’t until I lost $7,000 that I realized the truth — I had never spoken to Castro at all.

Why These Scams Are So Effective

These scams succeed for several reasons:

Familiar Names Build Trust

People feel safer when they recognize a name.

The Illusion of Exclusivity

Being “chosen” by a millionaire feels flattering.

Social Proof

Fake likes, comments, and testimonials create the look of legitimacy.

The Promise of Quick Money

Triple your savings in weeks” is a dream many can’t resist.

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Scammers pressure victims by saying spots are “limited” or “time-sensitive.”

It’s a psychological game, and the victims aren’t foolish — they’re human.

The Real Victims

For every scam, there are two sets of victims.

The people who lose money, sometimes life savings.

The real individuals whose identities are hijacked.

For Struyck, it meant strangers accusing him of fraud he never committed. For Castro, it meant watching his newfound fame turned into bait. And for thousands of everyday Instagram users, it meant heartbreak, financial loss, and shame.

The worst part? Many victims never report it, too embarrassed to admit they were fooled. This silence allows scammers to thrive.

Could It Happen to You?

Ask yourself honestly: if a famous millionaire sent you a DM right now, would you ignore it? Or would part of you believe it?

That’s the uncomfortable reality. These scams don’t target only the naïve — they target hope. They exploit our desire for success, wealth, and opportunity. And in the few seconds it takes to reply, everything can change.

The scams involving Theodorus Struyck and Edwin Castro are only the beginning. Every month, new names are hijacked, new fake accounts appear, and new victims fall into the trap.

Instagram may take them down, but for every account deleted, another one is created. It’s a never-ending cycle of deception.

The only real defense is awareness. The more stories like this are told, the fewer people will be fooled.

So the next time you get a message from someone rich, famous, or powerful, remember: not everything on Instagram is what it seems.

If this story shocked you, don’t leave just yet.

Hit Like, Subscribe to our channel, Share this video with your friends, and Comment below if you’ve ever seen a suspicious account pretending to be someone famous. Your engagement helps us keep exposing scams and protecting others from becoming the next victim.