A fake influencer is an individual who presents themselves as a popular and influential figure on social media, but in reality, their following and engagement are artificially inflated through the use of bots, fake accounts, or purchased followers. These individuals often deceive brands and followers by falsely claiming to have a large and engaged audience, in order to secure partnerships and endorsements. They lack genuine influence and credibility, and their actions undermine the authenticity and integrity of the influencer industry.