Why fraud and cyber security awareness matter for influencers and their agencies

From huge sponsorship and endorsement deals to boxing fights and football matches worth millions of pounds, the influencer economy has evolved into a multi-billion-pound industry.

As we know in the counter-fraud and cyber crime domain, when large sums of money are involved, fraudsters and cyber criminals are waiting in the wings to take advantage. But it’s not just the reputation of influencers and their agencies that are at risk; there can be significant financial, operational and, in some cases, legal ramifications.

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Common types of fraud and cyber threats

Many influencers share a significant portion of their personal lives online, which can amplify their attack surface, which cyber criminals could exploit. Additionally, agencies that represent these influencers may hold personal data, financial information, and intellectual property belonging to wealthy individuals. These types of data are particularly attractive targets for cyber criminals.

Phishing: Fake offers trick influencers into sharing logins or clicking malware links.
Fake sponsorships: Fraudsters pose as brands, steal content or ask for upfront fees.
Account takeovers: Social profiles hijacked, sold or used to post scams.
Impersonation: Duplicated profiles powered by deepfake technology are used to scam followers or solicit fake donations.
Payment diversion: Funds rerouted to fraudsters posing as an agency or talent recruitment.

How influencers, agencies and the public can protect themselves

No sophisticated measures are required, but practicing good cyber security hygiene is important.

For influencers

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts.
Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
Be cautious when receiving unsolicited direct messages or emails, especially those asking for money or urgent action — if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Verify brand collaborations via official websites or known agency contacts.

For agencies

Conduct regular cyber security training for all staff to help prevent phishing attacks.
Implement secure workflows for client communications and payment processing.
Monitor for impersonation and use takedown services to remove fake profiles
Have an incident response plan for compromised accounts or data leaks.
Consider the use of data scraping tools to find compromised credentials when they’re listed for sale on the dark web or other criminal forums.

Conclusion

Influencers are attractive targets for cyber criminals and fraudsters alike, but there are basic security controls they can employ to ensure they remain cyber resilient. Likewise, influencer agencies need to think like data security firms and not just PR representatives because of the rich data they possess, which is used like modern-day currency by criminals.

These risks can be deeply unsettling, especially when your livelihood and reputation are built on digital platforms. If you’re seeking guidance or reassurance, Daniel Sibthorpe and our Forensic Services team are here to help. We’re always available for a conversation to ensure you or your organisation is effectively managing cyber risks and is well-prepared to respond swiftly and confidently in the event of an incident.