By skyforbes 
How 86 million fake profiles, credential fraud, and incompetent HR departments turned the world’s largest professional network into a $10 billion con game — and why you’re probably helping them do it
You’ve been fooled
That “AI Expert” who just connected with you? Fake credentials. The “Senior Solutions Architect” sliding into your DMs? Bought their degree online. The “Transformation Consultant” your HR department is about to interview? Can’t explain what a neural network does, let alone build one.
LinkedIn removed 86 million fake accounts in the first half of 2024 alone. That’s not a typo. 86 million. But here’s the terrifying part: those are just the ones they caught.
One in three people you connect with has deliberately lied on their profile. 11% admit their entire profile is fabricated. And we’re all nodding along, clicking “Accept,” and treating this digital masquerade ball like it’s a legitimate professional network.
A rant post made the rounds recently, calling out the certification industrial complex: everyone from used car…