Get alerts on this situation
We’ll email you as it develops, and you can follow the whole thread from day one.
Unsubscribe anytime.
[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]
2 clusters · 2 sources · 22 days · First seen · Last updated
Categories: CULTURE
European royals targeted by Instagram scams
Entities: Louis Ducruet · Instagram · Monaco · Princess Stéphanie of Monaco · Prince Sverre Magnus
Overview
In early July 2026, a fake verified Instagram account impersonating Norway’s Prince Sverre Magnus was reported, marking the first known instance of social‑media fraud directed at a European royal.
Later that month, Louis Ducruet, the son of Monaco’s Princess Stéphanie, disclosed that a private photograph of his had been stolen to create a fraudulent Instagram profile. He warned followers that the account was being used for impersonation on WhatsApp and highlighted that similar scams had already targeted other royals, including the Norwegian prince. The two reports together illustrate a growing pattern of Instagram‑based impersonation schemes aimed at members of European royal families.
Timeline
-
about 19 hours ago
[CULTURE] 2 sourcesLouis Ducruet warns followers after private photo used in fake Instagram scamLouis Ducruet, son of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, exposed a fake Instagram account using his private photo and warned followers not to trust the associated phone number.
-
22 days ago
[CULTURE] 7 sourcesNorwegian Prince Sverre Magnus Targeted by Fake Verified Instagram AccountA verified Instagram fake impersonating Norway’s Prince Sverre Magnus amassed ~13,000 followers; the royal house denied its authenticity, reported it to Meta, and warned of digital impersonation risks.
Sources
lommelegen.no · seher.no