The Decibel The black market for getting hacked Meta accounts back
Jun 13, 2025
Kathryn Blaze Baum, an investigative reporter at The Globe and Mail, uncovers the dark world of hacked Meta accounts. She reveals how desperate users turn to brokers, paying hefty fees for expedited recovery, while Meta's customer support often falls short. The conversation dives into the troubling collusion between these brokers and Meta employees, as well as how individuals suffer after account losses. Kathryn also discusses the company's efforts to crack down on these practices and the broader implications for user security on social media.
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Bobby Monks' Instagram Hack
- Bobby Monks, a Toronto dog walker, got her Instagram hacked via a phishing link from a friend's message.
- Her account was taken over in seconds, illustrating how fast social media hacks can happen.
Hackers Use Accounts for Ransom or Spread
- Hackers sometimes hold accounts for ransom or use compromised accounts to target the owner's followers.
- In Bobby's case, hackers impersonated her to attempt further hacks on her network.
Meta Recovery Process is Slow
- To recover hacked Meta accounts, users submit verification requests online and provide ID or selfies.
- However, many report lengthy waits and often no response from Meta's support team.