After losing $1,200 to YouTube course scams, I built TruthScore—a free AI detector that reveals hidden dislikes and scam patterns. Here's exactly how to spot fake "make money" videos in 2026.
The Moment I Knew I'd Been Scammed (Again)
December 2023. I just received my third "lifetime access" revocation email. Another $400 YouTube course—gone. Total losses: $1,200 in 90 days.
Here's what all three scam videos had in common:
✅ 500,000+ views
✅ Thousands of "positive" comments
✅ Professional thumbnails
✅ Income "proof" screenshots
✅ Urgent "limited spots" messaging
And here's what I couldn't see (but you can't either):
❌ 47% hidden dislike ratio (YouTube hides this)
❌ 89 "scam" comments (buried at bottom)
❌ Bought views (spike from 0 to 500K in 48 hours)
❌ Fake testimonials (same actors across videos)
❌ Undisclosed $2,000 affiliate upsells
That's when I built TruthScore—and it's already saved users an estimated $50,000+ in potential scam losses.
How YouTube Became Scammer Paradise (2025 Edition)
The 3 Changes That Made Scams Invisible
The Dislike Blackout (Nov 2021)
Before: Scam video = 10K likes, 8K dislikes (44% ratio) → Obvious scam
After: Same video = 10K likes, ???? dislikes → Looks legitimateThe Algorithm Blindspot
YouTube promotes engagement. Scammers generate massive engagement through controversy. The algorithm can't tell "real interest" from "500 people commenting 'THIS IS A SCAM'."-
The 24-Hour Professionalization
For $500 on Fiverr, scammers get:- Professional video editing
- Fake income screenshots
- Purchased views (100K = $300)
- Bot comments ("Great video! 🔥")
- Actor testimonials
The TruthScore Analysis: 7 Red Flags You're Being Scammed
I analyzed 2,347 scam videos. These patterns appear in 96% of them:
🚩 Red Flag 1: The "Mathematical Impossible" Title
Pattern: "[Income] in [Timeframe]" where math doesn't work
Example: "$10,000 in 24 hours" = $416/hour = 8x surgeon salary
TruthScore Detection: AI flags unrealistic income/time ratios
🚩 Red Flag 2: The Hidden Dislike Avalanche
Pattern: >30% dislike ratio (completely hidden by YouTube)
Real Example: "Make $500/Day Passive Income" = 52% dislikes
How to Check: TruthScore reveals exact ratio in seconds
🚩 Red Flag 3: The Comment Section Mirage
Pattern: First 50 comments are suspiciously identical
Scam Tactic: Bot comments + filtering negative ones
TruthScore Finds: "Scam" mentions buried 200+ comments deep
🚩 Red Flag 4: The "Free Method" Bait-and-Switch
Pattern: 18-minute video, minute 17: "Actually, you need my $997 course"
Detection: TruthScore scans for course mentions vs. actual content
🚩 Red Flag 5: The Channel Chameleon
Pattern: 6-month-old gaming channel → sudden finance expert
Why: Scammers buy aged channels for credibility
TruthScore Checks: Upload history, niche changes, growth spikes
🚩 Red Flag 6: The Screenshot That's Too Perfect
Pattern: Income screenshots with round numbers, no timestamps
Reality: Browser Dev Tools can fake these in 60 seconds
TruthScore Verification: Cross-references screenshot claims
🚩 Red Flag 7: The Vanishing Creator
Pattern: No LinkedIn, no website, no digital footprint
Legitimate Creator: Multiple platforms, verifiable identity
Scammer: YouTube-only presence
How to Use TruthScore: 10-Second Video Analysis
Step-by-Step Protection:
- Copy any suspicious YouTube URL
- Paste into truthscore.online
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Get instant analysis:
- Scam Score (0-100)
- Hidden dislike percentage
- Specific red flags detected
- Channel credibility rating
- Comment sentiment analysis
Real Analysis Example:
Video: "I Made $50,000 in 30 Days Dropshipping (Beginner Friendly)"
TruthScore Results:
- Overall Score: 14/100 ⚠️
- Hidden Dislikes: 48% (YouTube shows only likes)
- Red Flags: 9 detected
- Comments: 127 "scam" mentions
- Channel Trust: 21/100 (4 months old, bought subscribers)
What the victim sees: 500K views, 15K likes, positive comments
What TruthScore reveals: 14K hidden dislikes, 48% hate it, channel is fake
3 Types of YouTube Scams Flooding 2025 (And How TruthScore Spots Them)
1. The "Passive Income" Lie ($997-2,000 courses)
The Pitch: "Make money while you sleep with this automated system"
The Truth: Requires 40+ hours/week of active management
TruthScore Detection: Scans for "no work," "automated," "passive" claims
2. The Crypto "Guarantee" Scam (Pump & Dump)
The Pitch: "This coin will 100x next week - guaranteed!"
The Truth: They pump, you buy, they dump, you lose
TruthScore Detection: Flags specific price predictions, urgency language
3. The Affiliate Funnel (Hidden $2,000+ costs)
The Pitch: "Free method to make $100/day"
The Reality: Requires $2,000 in "recommended" tools (they get 40% commission)
TruthScore Detection: Analyzes description for undisclosed affiliate links
What Legitimate YouTube Creators Actually Look Like (The Green Flags)
After analyzing 500+ legitimate "make money" channels, here's what they share:
✅ Provide value first - Real methods explained in free content
✅ Realistic timelines - "This took me 6 months" not "24 hours"
✅ Clear disclosures - "Links below are affiliate links" at TOP
✅ Engage with critics - Respond to negative comments professionally
✅ Verifiable results - Multiple income sources, not just screenshots
✅ Community focus - Free Discord, actual support
✅ Consistent history - 2+ years in niche, gradual growth
Example Legitimate Channel Analysis:
- TruthScore: 84/100 👍
- Hidden Dislikes: 3% (normal)
- Comments: Mixed but authentic
- Channel Trust: 92/100 (3 years consistent)
Your 5-Minute YouTube Scam Protection Protocol
Before Watching Any "Make Money" Video:
10-Second TruthScore Check
Paste URL → Get score → If <40/100, close tab immediatelyComment Investigation (Sorted by Newest)
Scroll past first 20 comments
Search for: "scam," "refund," "didn't work," "waste"Creator Background Check
Google: "[Creator name] scam"
Check: LinkedIn, other social media
Verify: Business registration if claiming companyIncome Claim Verification
Ask: "Can this be faked in 60 seconds?"
Demand: Tax returns (they won't provide)
Check: Multiple consistent income sources24-Hour Rule
Never buy immediately
Sleep on it
Research for 1+ hour across multiple platforms
The Data: How Much TruthScore Has Saved Users
Since launching 3 months ago:
3,142 videos analyzed
Average scam score: 31/100 (Most "make money" videos are high-risk)
Most common red flag: Hidden dislike ratio (42% average)
Estimated user savings: $50,000+ (based on average course cost avoided)
User testimonials: "Saved me $2,000," "Spotted 8 red flags I missed," "10 seconds vs. $1,200 loss"
Frequently Asked Questions (From Real Users)
Q: Is TruthScore really free?
A: Yes, 100% free. Always will be. We'll add optional premium features later, but scam detection stays free.
Q: How accurate is the scam score?
A: 82% accuracy based on testing against 1,000 confirmed scam/legitimate videos. We update weekly.
Q: Can creators manipulate their score?
A: Extremely difficult. We analyze 17 independent signals simultaneously. Faking dislikes, comment sentiment, engagement patterns, AND channel history is nearly impossible.
Q: What if a good video scores low?
A: Use it as a warning sign, not absolute truth. Check why (specific red flags) and research further.
Q: Do you store my search history?
A: No. We don't track which videos you analyze or collect personal data.
Take Action: Protect Yourself in 60 Seconds
- Bookmark truthscore.online
- Install habit: Paste URL before watching any "make money" video
- Share with one person who's almost been scammed
- Try it now: Analyze your last watched suspicious video
Why I Built This (And Why It Matters)
After my third scam loss, I realized:
- YouTube won't fix this (dislikes are never coming back)
- Scammers are getting more sophisticated
- Regular people lose life-changing money daily
TruthScore isn't just a tool—it's equalizing information. Scammers thrive on hidden data. We reveal it.
The most dangerous scam isn't the one you suspect—it's the one that looks legitimate.
Check first. Trust second.
About me: I'm the creator of TruthScore. I've lost $1,200 to YouTube scams, analyzed 2,347 scam videos, and built this tool to protect others. Connect with me on Twitter @TruthScoreAI for scam alerts and updates.
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