(My Quest to Defeat the Shein Bots on Instagram)

Picture this: you're scrolling through your Instagram feed, double-tapping on cute cats and admiring amazing fashion when, out of nowhere, you're ambushed by Shein bots tagging you in fake gift card competitions. But wait, it's not just Instagram - they've infiltrated TikTok and Facebook too! The nerve!

You are not tagged! This is just a crime reenactment.

At first, it's mildly annoying, but as it continues, it becomes nothing short of infuriating.

There I was, feeling brave and daring enough to consider getting a burner phone and venturing into the wild to see what would happen if I clicked on those tagged images. Unfortunately, it turns out I'm too scared to be off the grid, so I did what any self-respecting person would do - I hid behind my computer and read about other people's experiences.

This new 'unbearable' scam taking Instagram by storm involves cybercriminals using fake Shein gift cards to lure victims into handing over their bank details online. Avast, a virus detector, claims the con generally starts with a simple comment congratulating users for winning a fashion retailer gift card. To claim the prize, victims are encouraged to click the link in the scammer's page and answer a short survey, usually under time pressure.

Once they've clicked on the second box, the Shein reward is revealed, with prizes ranging from $25 to $2,000.

But there's a catch - the scammers claim they need an address and postage payment to send out the gift card within a few days. This is where users are encouraged to hand over their personal details, including name, phone number, email, and bank details. As a result, victims unknowingly sign up for a subscription fee instead of a single postage payment.

As the scam continues to plague Instagram, users are sharing their frustrations with being bombarded by gift card offers daily.

And while these bots are infuriatingly relentless, they've unintentionally created a sense of unity among social media users.

We're learning to adjust our privacy settings, report bots, and even bond over the shared experience of being targeted by these relentless scammers.

So, as we navigate this brave new world of bot-filled social media feeds, let's take a moment to appreciate the strange sense of community they've created. After all, misery loves company, and in this new world where we're constantly bombarded with picture-perfect images and tailored feeds, maybe - just maybe - these Shein bots are a bizarre reminder that we're all in this digital mess together.

Just having a great time in the wild...

While I may not have ventured into the wild with a burner phone to defeat the Shein bots personally, I have discovered that we can all play a part in tackling this issue. And remember, if all else fails, at least those pesky bots are upping the like count on our selfies. Silver linings, eh?