YouTube scams stole $2 billion last year. Learn the 15 red flags of fraudulent "make money online" videos and how to use AI to reveal hidden dislikes and fake engagement instantly
The Invisible Epidemic in Your Recommendation Feed
In 2024 alone, an estimated $2 billion was lost to fraudulent "make money online" courses and fake investment schemes on YouTube.
The problem is structural. Since YouTube removed the public dislike button in 2021, the "immune system" of the platform has been compromised. A video promising a "secret $500/day method" can have 500,000 views and look perfectly legitimate, even if nearly half the viewers flagged it as a scam.
I built TruthScore because I was one of those victims—losing $800 in 2023 to a polished "dropshipping guru" whose hidden metrics would have warned me if I could only see them
The "Scammer’s Playbook": 15 Red Flags You Can’t Ignore
Based on an analysis of over 1,000 confirmed scam videos, these are the most reliable indicators of fraud:
🚩 The Visual & Verbal Hooks
- Unrealistic Income Claims: Titles like "$10,000 in 24 hours" or "I make $50K/month".
- Visual Noise: Excessive emojis (💰🤑💸) and ALL CAPS text designed to trigger desperation.
- Manufactured Scarcity: Phrases like "Only 10 spots left" on a video posted months ago.
- The "Passive" Lie: Promising massive income with "zero work" or "zero skills".
🚩 The Deception Tactics
- Vague Methodologies: 15 minutes of "hype" without explaining the actual business model.
- "Dev Tool" Screenshots: Income proofs that are easily faked using browser inspection tools.
- Fiverr Testimonials: Success stories from paid actors who appear in dozens of unrelated scam videos.
- The Funnel Trap: The "free" video is just a 20-minute ad for a $2,000 course.
🚩 The Data Anomalies
- Hidden Dislike Ratios: A dislike ratio above 30% is a massive danger signal.
- Botted Engagement: High view counts but suspiciously low comment or like ratios (typically under 2%).
- Filtered Reality: Comments that are either disabled or consist of 100% "Great video!" bot-like praise.
- The "Ghost" Creator: No LinkedIn, no verifiable business registration, and no presence outside YouTube.
How to Fight Back: The 10-Second Credibility Check
You shouldn't need a degree in data science to stay safe. I designed TruthScore.online to automate this entire audit in 10 seconds
How TruthScore Works:
Reveals Hidden Dislikes: We use the ReturnYouTubeDislike API to show you the metrics YouTube hides.
AI Sentiment Analysis: Our algorithm scans thousands of comments for buried warnings like "scam," "waste of money," or "doesn't work".
Language Pattern Detection: The AI identifies manipulative "FOMO" language and urgency tactics.
Reliability: The tool is approximately 75-85% accurate based on testing against known fraudulent content.
"Scammers thrive in darkness—we bring their deceptive practices into the light."
Step-by-Step: Verifying a "Make Money" Video
Before you click "buy" or even "subscribe," follow this protocol:
- Analyze the URL: Paste the link into TruthScore.online
- Check the Score: A score below 40/100 indicates severe risk.
- Inspect the Dislike Ratio: Legitimate education usually has a dislike ratio under 5%.
- Research the Creator: Google "[Creator Name] + scam" and check Reddit for unbiased feedback.
- Verify Income: Demand time-stamped bank statements or third-party verification, not just screenshots.
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Time and Capital
The average victim loses $500 to $2,000 to these schemes. Don't let your desire for financial freedom make you a target for professionals who exploit that very dream.
TruthScore is free. Use it. Share it. Let’s make the "Make Money Online" space honest again.
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