Low riskSocial Media

Loop Giveaway Scam

In this scam, a 'loop' giveaway requires you to follow a long list of accounts and sometimes pay an entry fee for a big prize, but the draw is rigged or fake, used to inflate followers or take entry money.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Low risk
Scam type
Rigged / fee-based giveaway
Main red flag
A giveaway requiring you to follow many accounts or pay to enter a big prize draw.
What to do first
Be sceptical; never pay to enter, and treat follow-loops as low-value at best.

How this scam works

In this scam, a 'loop' giveaway requires you to follow a long list of accounts and sometimes pay an entry fee for a big prize, but the draw is rigged or fake, used to inflate followers or take entry money.

Social media scams spread through direct messages, ads, hacked friends' accounts, and fake profiles. They range from account-takeover phishing and fake giveaways to investment and romance fraud, exploiting the trust and reach of your own network.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A giveaway requiring you to follow many accounts or pay to enter a big prize draw. Be sceptical; never pay to enter, and treat follow-loops as low-value at best.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Fake Giveaway Scam and the Giveaway Winner DM Scam. See the full Social Media Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • A requirement to follow many accounts to enter
  • An entry fee for a prize draw
  • A prize that seems too big to be real
  • Organisers you cannot verify
  • Pressure to enter before it closes

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Win a car or $10k! Follow everyone this account follows and pay a small entry fee to qualify.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: A giveaway requiring you to follow many accounts or pay to enter a big prize draw.

The scale of it

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that began on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top channel
social media was among the most common ways scams reached people in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Never pay to enter a giveaway
  • Be sceptical of huge prizes and follow-loops
  • Verify organisers and prize legitimacy
  • Report and ignore suspicious giveaways

Already responded? Do this now

  • If you paid an entry fee, dispute it with your payment provider
  • Unfollow accounts you do not want to follow
  • Be wary of follow-up 'you won, pay to claim' messages
  • Report the giveaway

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not pay to enter a giveaway
  • Do not share card or personal details to qualify
  • Do not trust prizes that seem too big

Related scams to know

Medium risk Social Media

Fake Giveaway Scam

This scam tells you that you won a prize or giveaway, then asks for a fee, your login, or personal details to 'claim' it.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Social Media

Giveaway Winner DM Scam

In this scam, a message impersonating an influencer or brand says you have won their giveaway, then asks for a delivery fee, your details, or a card to 'claim' the prize that does not exist.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Social Media

Buy Followers Scam

This scam promises thousands of cheap followers, likes or views, then takes your payment and delivers fake or no followers. Some ask for your account password directly, and the bought engagement can get your account flagged or banned by the platform.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

What is a loop giveaway?
It is a giveaway requiring you to follow a long list of accounts, sometimes with an entry fee. Many are rigged or fake, used to inflate followers or take money.
Should I ever pay to enter?
No. Legitimate giveaways do not charge entry fees. Paying to enter is a clear warning sign.
I paid an entry fee. What now?
Dispute the payment with your provider, be wary of 'you won, pay to claim' follow-ups, and report the giveaway.
Are the prizes real?
Often not, or they go to insiders. Treat huge prizes and follow-loops with strong scepticism.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.