The dream is tantalising: ditching the dreary British nine-to-five for a life of beachside bliss, with a seemingly endless stream of cash flowing into your bank account. This fantasy, heavily promoted across social media, is being packaged and sold by so-called 'Bali influencers' who promise to make it a reality – and fast. For fees ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, these online gurus vow to unlock the secrets of making '£30,000-plus per month' through Instagram alone.
The High Cost of Chasing Online Fame
Capitalising on a cultural zeitgeist that romanticises travel and freedom from the office, a cottage industry of expensive courses has emerged. 'Bali influencer' and 'Bali nomad academies' command over £2,100 for a single semester. More intensive residential programmes, such as a five-day 'Influencer Mastery' course run by ZC Social Media, cost aspirants a staggering £3,500. While some operations present a professional front, others undercut these prices with similar promises of instant fame and wealth.
However, those who have invested their savings are raising serious alarms, describing the ecosystem as 'one big pyramid scheme' built on selling advice. The reality for many customers is financial loss and broken promises, far removed from the glamorous lifestyles used in marketing.
Victims Left 'Mentally Destroyed' by Empty Promises
Chris Carr, 29, is one such victim. At age 23, he paid $1,500 for a 90-day 'Six Figure SMMA' online course run by London-based influencer and YouTuber Iman Gadzhi. Lured by social media posts showcasing private jets, Rolex watches, and extreme wealth, Chris hoped to secure his future. He was promised £10,000 per month within the first three months by managing social media for high-profile clients.
'I didn't even get one client to invest in me,' Chris told the Daily Mail. The experience left him 'mentally destroyed' for years and deeply sceptical of the term 'influencer'. Iman Gadzhi, who now boasts 5.69 million YouTube subscribers, has faced similar accusations from others but has publicly denied the claims.
Inside the 'Advice Pyramid' Machine
The mechanics of this industry are bluntly summarised by Carl Tomich, 39, a YouTuber who brands himself as an 'anti-influencer'. After paying around £350 for a useless online course himself, he aims to expose the myths. 'Bali showed me how the machine really works: it's basically a pyramid built on advice,' Carl stated. 'People who can't make money online with a real business sell you a course on how to make money online - so you can sell a course too.'
He notes these schemes often target young men using buzzwords like 'hustle culture' and 'grind set', paired with hyper-masculine imagery. Meanwhile, successful influencer couples like Janardhan Jolivet and Kelly Wickramasuriya, who post from Southeast Asia, fuel the dream. Janardhan claims to help coaches 'scale to $30k a month', while Kelly documents a leisurely life of meditation, Deliveroo lunches, and shopping.
Critics argue it is these idealised, accessible-seeming lifestyles that push hopefuls towards cheaper, fraudulent schemes. Marija Zupan, 36, paid 250 euros for an 'Instagram growth course' full of generic advice like 'post consistently' and 'use hashtags'. 'I'd call it 'info gypsies',' she said. 'Lots of advice floating around. But nothing solid you could actually use.'
Experts Warn of Surge in Lifestyle-First Scams
Social media consultant Hannah O'Donoghue-Hobbs, 33, confirms a surge in these courses. 'Many 'students' pay upfront for generic, repackaged content, only to find there's no practical strategy behind it. These scams rely more on illusion than education,' she warned.
She advises potential buyers to be wary of:
- Lifestyle-first marketing: Imagery of Bali or Dubai pools with laptops, promising rapid financial freedom.
- Vague promises: A lack of concrete case studies or verifiable outcomes.
- Upsell traps: Low-cost entry points that lead to expensive 'essential' upgrades.
- Zero industry experience: Creators whose primary income is selling the course itself.
The appeal of Bali is amplified by Indonesia's 'Digital Nomad' visa and local businesses offering free stays in exchange for promotion. Facebook groups like 'Digital Nomads Bali' are filled with adverts seeking 'nano influencers' for unpaid collaborations offering 'exclusive vouchers' and 'tropical vibes'.
The overarching message from those who have been stung is one of caution. True online financial success is extremely rare and requires significant talent, hard work, and luck—commodities that cannot be purchased in a five-day masterclass, no matter how idyllic the backdrop.
