TikTok Trading Gurus: Fake Profits & Course Sales Investigation

Reddit users in r/Daytrading exposed how easily TikTok trading gurus fake their profitable TopStep accounts. Key insights include:

• morginzez
  demonstrated how to fake a profitable TopStep screenshot in about 30 seconds
• moon6080
  explained that fakes are created using ‘inspect element’ on frozen screens or copying the site to display large numbers
• CupLower4147
  asserted that anyone selling a trading course isn’t profitable, regardless of their claims
• Michael-3740
  advised focusing on learning to trade profitably rather than wasting time proving scams

Research confirms Reddit’s suspicions and provides additional context:

• Revenue Model
  : TikTok gurus primarily generate income through course sales, signal subscriptions, mentorship programs, and upsells rather than actual trading
• Fake Verification
  : Multiple trading screenshot generators exist online that can create realistic fake trading results [5]
• TopStep Legitimacy
  : TopStep itself is a legitimate prop trading firm founded in 2012 with strong Trustpilot ratings (4.6/5 from 5,700+ reviews) [6][7]
• Social Proof Manipulation
  : Artificial social proof is created through paid reviews, fake testimonials, and AI-generated content
• Pyramid Structure
  : Many operations focus on recruitment rather than actual trading education [3]

Reddit’s practical demonstrations align perfectly with research findings about the sophistication of fake trading tools. While TopStep is legitimate, there’s no built-in verification system for screenshots shared on social media. The business model Reddit users identified (selling courses instead of trading) matches research findings about revenue generation through educational content rather than market profits.

• Financial loss from purchasing ineffective courses
• Exposure to pyramid scheme structures
• Misleading trading education leading to actual trading losses

• Use image reverse search and verification tools to identify fake screenshots
• Focus on legitimate trading education from verified sources
• Understand that profitable traders typically don’t need to sell courses

To identify fake trading screenshots:

• Use reverse image search to detect reused images
• Look for inconsistencies in trading interfaces
• Verify through TopStep’s official channels when possible
• Be skeptical of guaranteed profit claims