Στα social media, έχουμε γίνει μάρτυρες πολλών βίντεο: ένας νεαρός με πολυτελές ρολόι μιλάει μπροστά από ένα ενοικιασμένο αυτοκίνητο υψηλής κατηγορίας για την «οικονομική ελευθερία», ή μια influencer απολαμβάνει τον καφέ της στον καναπέ της, εξηγώντας πώς κέρδισε εξαψήφιο ποσό δουλεύοντας μόλις δύο ώρες ημερησίως.
Εκατομμύρια χρήστες των κοινωνικών δικτύων παρακολουθούν καθημερινά βίντεο που υπόσχονται οικονομική ανεξαρτησία με λίγες μόνο ώρες εργασίας. Το όνειρο του διάσημου «παθητικού εισοδήματος» προβάλλει την ιδέα ότι ο καθένας μπορεί να αποκτήσει πλούτο χωρίς κόπο, αρκεί να ακολουθήσει κάποιες απλές οδηγίες.
Πολλές από αυτές τις δραστηριότητες αναφέρονται ως «side hustles», υποδεικνύοντας ότι μπορείς να τις ασκείς παράλληλα με τη βασική σου εργασία, ενώ στην πραγματικότητα καταλήγεις να εργάζεσαι πολλές ώρες χωρίς ουσιαστικό κέρδος.
Η σκληρή αλήθεια πίσω από το εύκολο χρήμα στα social media
Για να εξετάσει αν αυτές οι υποσχέσεις είναι πραγματικές, η δημοσιογράφος του guardian, Vivian Ho, αποφάσισε να δοκιμάσει στην πράξη τις πιο διαδεδομένες τακτικές που προωθούν οι influencers.
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Διάλεξε δημοφιλείς πρακτικές που διαφημίζονται ως «εύκολες» και «χωρίς αρχικό κεφάλαιο», όπως η δημιουργία και πώληση ψηφιακών προϊόντων (templates) μέσω Canva στο Etsy. Δημιουργούν έτοιμες εικόνες όπως προσκλήσεις και ημερολόγια και τις διαθέτουν προς πώληση.
The results were revealing: during the first month of her digital store’s operation on Etsy—after approximately 23.5 hours of intensive work involving design and revisions to compete with thousands of similar stores—her net profit was negative by 32 cents.
Soon after that experience, the journalist decided to explore affiliate marketing, promoting third-party products for a commission on each sale made through a special link. Without an existing loyal audience, her posts garnered minimal views and zero sales.
The conclusion from experts in economics and fraud networks was clear: this is a manual version of the infamous pyramid scheme. Few consider that the market is already saturated with similar products and that the real product isn’t the service itself but rather the dream of easy wealth accumulation.
The dream of a new generation and the illusion of success
The market for rapid riches has ballooned significantly. In October 2026 alone on Instagram there were 8.5 million posts tagged with #sidehustle and 25.6 million, tagged with #passiveincome.
This coincides with success stories like those professional creators who edit short videos (clips) for TikTok earning substantial amounts from their content creation efforts; they reinforce perceptions that money is just waiting out there for anyone willing to hit record or open an editing program.
A recent report from BBC highlighted the story of a 22-year-old who earns over €140k annually simply by creating viral clips featuring dua Lipa among others celebrities .
The Greek version and crypto seminars
< p > This phenomenon has also gained significant traction in Greece , frequently enough taking on more aggressive forms .
< p > Here , male content creators dominate , targeting directly underage boys and also young adults under age twenty-five . Using crypto , ETFs , dropshipping along with “investment tips” they promise escape from “the system” while offering quick wealth accumulation .
< p > This rhetoric finds fertile ground among youth facing prolonged cost-of-living crises coupled alongside low wages . According to research conducted by EKPA presented in “Kathimerini”, one out four teenagers currently expresses desire becoming influencer viewing it as most realistic pathway towards professional fulfillment along social recognition .
< p > In reality behind impressive posts lies vicious cycle reselling where most do not earn profits through investments promised instead deriving income solely via courses subscriptions closed messaging groups referrals links essentially recycling content whereby only guaranteed profit belongs seller hope others .
< strong > Who ultimately benefits passive income ? / strong >
< P >< Strong > So-called passive income rarely remains truly passive almost never easy achieve / strong >
< Strong > The only consistent winners within this digital ecosystem are large platforms capturing attention service providers software collecting monthly fees primarily self-proclaimed gurus selling advice how get rich / strong >
< For everyone else chasing effortless wealth often leads unpaid hours spent screen disappointment few euros less bank account / P >