Instagram is one of the most widely used social media platforms today; however, with growing popularity comes increasing misuse—fake profiles, scams, phishing, blackmail, and fraud. In many cases, scammers try to cover their tracks by deleting their Instagram accounts after committing a crime. So, what then? Can cyber crime track a deleted Instagram account?
The short answer is yes, but it depends on when, how, and what kind of data is being requested.
In this blog, we’ll break down how deleted Instagram accounts work, what data remains accessible, how cybercrime units operate, and real case studies from India to help you understand the bigger picture.
What Happens When You Delete an Instagram Account?
Deleting an Instagram account isn’t an instant erasure.
Instagram follows a staged process that allows users to recover their accounts if they change their minds:
- Once a user initiates account deletion, Instagram first deactivates the profile.
- The account stays in a “pending deletion” state for 30 days. During this time, the user’s photos, videos, likes, and comments are hidden from public view.
- After 30 days, Instagram begins the permanent deletion process, which may take an additional 60 days for complete removal from backup systems.
- Even after 90 days, certain metadata—like IP logs, login records, or linked device IDs—may be retained for security and legal compliance.
So while the account may disappear from public view, Instagram’s servers may still retain crucial data, which can be accessed through proper legal procedures.
Can Cybercrime Authorities Track a Deleted Instagram Account?
Yes, cyber crime can track a deleted Instagram account, particularly if action is taken quickly and through legal channels.
Here’s how:
1. During the 30-Day Deletion Window
- The account is not permanently deleted yet.
- Instagram retains complete user data, including:
- Registered email and phone number
- Previous usernames
- IP addresses and device logs
- Login history and timestamps
- Investigators can send a formal request or a legal notice to Meta (Instagram’s parent company) for access to this information.
2. After Permanent Deletion
- Once 30 days have passed, most user-generated content (photos, messages, videos) is erased.
- However, Instagram may still retain:
- Metadata (IP logs, login activity)
- Account creation info
- Device fingerprinting data
- These records may exist for up to 90 days or longer if there’s an ongoing investigation or a legal hold placed on the data.
3. Legal Process is Mandatory
- Cybercrime cells cannot access this data directly.
- A formal court order, FIR, or legal request via the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) is required to get access to user data from Instagram.
- Without this process, Meta will not share any user information—even in cases involving fraud or harassment.
Instagram Scams Tracked by Indian Cybercrime Units: Case Studies
Here are real-life examples where cybercrime teams in India successfully tracked scammers even after account deletion:
1. Fake Job Offer Scam – Delhi (2022)
A fake Instagram page posing as a job consultancy scammed over 50 job-seekers. Victims were asked to pay fees for interviews that never happened. The account was deleted shortly after the scam.
How it was solved: Delhi Cyber Cell traced the IP address and payment UPI details. A legal request to Meta retrieved the original account credentials, and the accused was arrested in Bihar.
2. Online Shopping Fraud – Mumbai (2023)
An Instagram handle offering branded sneakers at throwaway prices collected money from over 100 users and disappeared. The page was deleted within days.
How it was tracked: Victims lodged an FIR. Investigators got Meta to share account access logs and traced the scammer through the linked phone number and UPI ID. An arrest was made in Rajasthan.
3. Sextortion Case – Hyderabad (2023)
A man was blackmailed after sending private images to someone posing as a woman on Instagram. The blackmailer demanded money and later deleted the account.
Investigation Outcome: Hyderabad Police obtained IP and device logs from Meta. The accused, who had run similar scams using different profiles, was located and arrested in Haryana.
What Kind of Data Can Be Retrieved?
Even after account deletion, the following types of information are usually recoverable by cybercrime authorities:
- Email IDs and Phone Numbers linked to the account
- Username and profile history (even if changed before deletion)
- Device information, such as the phone model or computer used to access the account
- IP addresses used for login, which can help trace the user’s location
- Linked accounts: if the same device or email was used to log in to multiple accounts
- Deleted DMs and media: These may sometimes be accessible if the deletion is recent and data hasn’t been purged from the servers
Cyber Crime Complaint for Instagram
If you’ve been scammed through Instagram, even if the scammer has deleted the account, here’s what to do:
- Collect all evidence: Screenshots, UPI receipts, emails, messages, usernames.
- Visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
- File an FIR and provide all digital proof.
- Let cybercrime professionals handle the data request with Instagram.
If Instagram fraud has led to financial loss, then register with us. We will guide you through the process of documenting and drafting your complaint and help you file it following the right protocol.
Conclusion
Yes, cybercrime authorities can track a deleted Instagram account—but only if the victim acts quickly and reports through proper legal channels. Instagram does not erase everything instantly; logs, metadata, and backups may still exist for weeks or months.
So, if you fall prey to a scam or online abuse, even if the profile vanishes, don’t assume it’s over. With timely action and proper documentation, the perpetrators can still be traced and held accountable.
