10 Things That Scream 'Fake Rich,' According To Humphrey Yang
Whether it's been in real life or on social media, you've likely seen people who live fancy lives that scream "rich," but it all might be fake. Behind the person's expensive car, showy Instagram posts and frequent boasts about their wealth could really be someone broke and insecure.
In a recent video, financial YouTuber Humphrey Yang discussed 10 things that fake rich people often do. Learn to identify the signs and know what building real wealth involves.
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Owning Entry-Level Luxury Goods
While some people want luxury goods for status, their budgets might only accommodate an entry-level option. Still, they'll spring for the $450 Gucci belt or the $40,000 Audi Q3. These items may be overpriced for their value and take up a large portion of a fake rich person's budget.
Yang suggested waiting until you're truly wealthy before buying luxury goods, and using cash when you do. In the meantime, consider alternatives that are less flashy but offer good value.
Yang said, "Oftentimes, you can get a fully loaded Honda or Toyota that's going to be much more comfortable than the base model Audi or barebones Mercedes for a very similar price."
Constantly Talking About Money
If someone often brings up their wealth or income, that's a sign they may be insecure and not wealthy.
Yang said fake rich people seek validation and may even work money into a conversation about pizza toppings. Plus, they might mislead others about their revenue versus profit or talk about future deals and money they don't yet have.
Someone with real wealth would likely keep their finances more private and not need validation. Yang also explained that money only matters once you have it, so bragging about unclosed deals can create issues.
Showing Off on Social Media
Yang discussed how fake rich people often post displays of their "wealth" online to get validation from others. Such posts can get more attention than those on more mundane aspects of life, such as someone sharing how they're building their emergency fund or living on a frugal budget. Plus, Yang said they may be targeted by bots that artificially inflate followers and views.
Remember that real wealthy people wouldn't need to show off on social media, so don't let posts pressure you into poor financial decisions to look wealthy. Plus, if you're one of the 28.5% of Americans who look for financial advice on social media, per a 2024 Federal Reserve study, vet the info you find since it may be misleading.
Having a More Expensive Bag Than Their Bank Balance
Yang explained that some people buy luxuries worth more than their bank balance. They may also get into debt to show off.
Yang advised, "If the designer good or bag represents two to three months of your income, you aren't rich -- you're just living wildly above your means."
He recommended not buying things unless you can afford two of them and following the 50/30/20 rule, which means allocating half of your post-tax pay to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to debt payoff and savings.
Being a One-Upper
If someone brags about their money to look better than you, this indicates insecurity and potential fake wealth. For example, they might comment about how their designer item or fancy vacation beats yours or direct the conversation away from your accomplishments.
Yang said that legitimately wealthy people would be happy rather than act jealous about someone else's success. They wouldn't need to steal the attention to feel better.
Leasing a Luxury Car
According to Experian, the average car lease payment in June 2025 was $659. While it might seem doable if you have a high income, leasing fancy vehicles to look wealthy is unwise. Yang said that it's a more profitable deal for dealerships due to how payments are calculated based on depreciation and interest, among other factors.
He explained, "So, if a car costs $50,000 and will be worth $30,000 after three years, you're essentially financing the $20,000 worth of depreciation plus interest."
Rather than paying for all that depreciation and risking getting stuck in a cycle of leases, consider Yang's advice to pay cash or finance a used model if you really want one.
Buying Counterfeit Luxury Goods
Yang described this as more embarrassing than buying a real designer good you can't afford. Not only does buying counterfeit luxury goods mean wasting money on fake status, but others will probably also notice the fake item because of its imperfections or poor quality.
Rather than buying fake items to look rich, look for well-made alternatives that fit your budget. Buying used luxuries can be another good way to save money.
Sharing Get-Rich-Quick Schemes
Yang explained how fake rich people might promote "get-rich-slightly-faster-than-normal schemes," which include things like crypto day trading, infinite banking, drop shipping and multilevel marketing.
Unfortunately, these lead to disappointment and financial loss for most. Plus, as the FBI noted, some get-rich-quick schemes, including those involving crypto, involve fraud and lure you into continually giving your money to a scammer. So, go about building wealth the legit way.
Yang added, "Real wealth is built slowly and very boringly, and it might take multiple years or decades, and rarely will it come from someone turning $5,000 into a million dollars in one single year."
Being Condescending
Fake rich people might always find something to criticize you about. Even if you have a six-figure income or a large retirement balance, they might say you're doing things wrong and persuade you to do something else.
As Yang explained, this could look like suggesting you need a more expensive apartment or offering other questionable advice, which could even lead to sabotage. He recommended focusing on your finances instead and distancing yourself from these critics.
Overdoing It
Some fake rich people take it a step beyond the things on this list. They may even copy wealthy characters or individuals to appear rich to others.
Yang explained, "They're overdoing it with their accessories, overdoing it with how they talk, how they treat people and even maybe what cologne they wear."
Real wealthy people are usually more modest, even if they do own some luxuries. Plus, they should have enough confidence not to need to show off or impersonate someone else.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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