I never thought a simple message on Snapchat could turn into something risky until it did. One evening, I got a friend request from someone who looked friendly and had a decent profile. We started chatting, and everything seemed normal at first. But as the conversation went on, something felt off. The person started asking odd questions and tried to pull me into a money deal. That’s when I realized I was talking to a fake account.
Fake Snapchat profiles are becoming more common, and they’re not always easy to spot especially for kids and teens who are still learning how to navigate online spaces. These accounts are created to scam, phish, and manipulate users. Some pretend to be someone you know; others use charm or fear to pull personal details or money out of you.
In this article, I’ll break down how fake Snapchat accounts work, the red flags to watch out for, and how you can protect yourself or your children from falling into these traps.
Contents
How To Find Out Who Made A Fake Snapchat Account?
You can try the following methods below to find out who made a fake Snapchat account:
1. Reach To Legal Administrators
If you believe that the Snapchat account is fake and you want to find who is behind the account, you can take legal action against that user.
For this, you have to file a complaint to the cyber team or legal authorities and they will help you out by finding & tracing the real user behind the profile if he/she is violating any law.
2. Common Scam Tactics to Watch Out For
Catfishing: Pretending to be romantically interested to manipulate victims for money.
Job or investment scams: “Send $50 to earn $500” is a clear giveaway it’s fake.
Phishing links: You’ll get messages with links pretending to be rewards or account alerts.
Impersonation: Scammers may steal names and photos from real people to seem believable.
📢 Tip
Never click unknown links or share personal info with someone you just met on Snapchat.
3. Google Reverse Image Search
You’ll need to check and save the Bitmoji of the fake Snapchat account and then use Google’s reverse image search tool to recognize the face in the picture.
Step 1: Open the Google search and go to the image search option.
Step 2: Click on Upload.
Step 3: Then select and upload what you’ve saved on your device.
Step 4: Search for the results.
In the results, you’ll be able to see the owner’s information that the tool will be shown by recognizing the image.
4. How To Tell If a Snapchat Account Is A Bot:
1. Profile Picture: If the profile picture is not a real person but something like a Bitmoji, it could be fake.
2. Followers/Following List: If the account has many random followers or promotes products, be cautious.
3. Snap Score: A high Snap Score can indicate a real account, but it’s not a guarantee. Check the profile picture, camera roll, and posted stories for authenticity.
4. Stories Posted: Check the stories posted. Some fake accounts repost others’ content or impersonate celebrities, so look for the original posts.
5. How To Trace Fake Snapchat Accounts:
You have these following steps:
🔯 Using Grabify IP Logger:
You can trace a Snapchat account very easily with the help of a tracking link of Grabify IP Logger. Grabify IP Logger is a free tool that can help you find out the IP address and location of any Snapchat account.
The user needs to click on the link that you’ll send to him in the Snapchat message so that Grabify can record the IP address, location, etc of the person’s device and show it to you once you access the tracking link.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: You’ll need first to copy the link to any video on YouTube to shorten it.
Step 2: Open the Grabify IP Logger tool from the link: https://grabify.link/.
Step 3: Paste the link to the YouTube video in the input box.
Step 4: Click on Create URL.
Step 5: Accept the terms and conditions.
Step 6: You’ll be taken to the next page where you’ll be able to find the new URL or the shortened URL.
Step 7: You need to copy the New URL.
Step 8: Then send it to the user on Snapchat whose account you want to trace.
Step 9: Wait till the person clicks on the link that you’ve sent him.
Step 10: Grabify will record the IP address and the location as soon as the user clicks on it.
Step 11: Access the tracking link and then check the results to view the IP address and location of the Snapchat account.
6. How to Protect Yourself and Your Kids
Step 1: Teach your kids to never accept random friend requests.
Step 2: Use parental control apps like FlashGet Kids to monitor screen activity.
Step 3: Set alerts for suspicious keywords like “send money” or “urgent help.”
Step 4: Review usage reports weekly to keep an eye on Snapchat habits.
📌 TIP
Keep open communication. Kids are more likely to speak up when they feel safe and informed.
Conclusion:
As someone who uses social media daily, I know how easy it is to get caught up in fast conversations and new friend requests. But what many forget is that Snapchat, with its disappearing messages and playful features, can also be a perfect place for scammers and fake profiles to hide. That’s why it’s not just about having fun it’s about staying aware and making smart choices.
Frequently Asked Questions:
To discover a Snapchat user’s real name, you can check their profile. Follow these steps:
Step 1: You’ll see their real name displayed on their profile.
Step 2: Open the Snapchat app and log into your account.
Step 3: Go to your profile and select “My Friends.”
Step 4: Find and open the profile of the person you’re interested in.
Yes, law enforcement can track Snapchat accounts under certain circumstances. While Snapchat messages typically disappear after being viewed, the platform retains some data, like user account information, IP addresses, and activity logs. If police have a valid legal request, such as a subpoena or court order, Snapchat can provide this information. The company is legally required to comply with such requests in criminal investigations. However, Snapchat does not store the content of messages once they vanish, and it only shares data with law enforcement when compelled to do so by law.
Yes, there are ways to uncover the identity behind a Snapchat account, though it can be challenging. You can search for their display name on Snapchat, but keep in mind that it may not reflect their real name. If you’re not able to find much through Snapchat itself, try looking up their display name on other social media sites to see if it matches any known profiles. Additionally, you can use the Snap Map feature to potentially identify the location of the account and see if it’s tied to someone you know. While these methods aren’t foolproof, they can give you useful leads.
Identifying the creator behind a fake Snapchat account is not an easy task, but it’s possible with the right approach. Start by looking for signs such as generic profile pictures, unusual usernames, and a lack of real content or posts. If the account appears suspicious, you can cross-reference the information on other social media platforms or try reaching out to mutual friends to see if they recognize the account. While there is no guaranteed way to uncover the person behind a fake account, these methods can give you a clearer idea of its legitimacy.
A Snap Score is a number that reflects your activity on Snapchat, including how often you send Snaps and how active you are. A “low” Snap Score typically means the account is less active, usually under 100 or 200. Most active users usually have scores in the thousands or higher.
