The greatest practical risk is platform enforcement: purchasing accounts or followers typically violates SoundCloud's Terms of Use and community guidelines. Which means bought accounts could be suspended or permanently banned whenever you want, wiping out the investment and any audience that included it. There's also a higher danger of scams and theft—sellers can disappear after payment, or the account offered may be compromised, tied to stolen private data, or already flagged by SoundCloud. Financial loss and exposure of personal information are real possibilities.
Legally and ethically, buying accounts sits in a gray (often undesirable) area. If an account was made out of someone else's identity or obtained through fraudulent means, possession and use could expose a buyer to legal trouble or complicate disputes over ownership. Ethically, buying audiences or accounts undermines fair competition and can mislead fans, promoters, and collaborators about an artist's true reach and engagement. For artists developing a reputation, authenticity usually matters more—and lasts longer—than inflated numbers.
You can find safer, legitimate alternatives that produce durable results. Invest time in consistent releases, high-quality audio, and thoughtful engagement with listeners and other creators; use SoundCloud's official tools and partner programs; collaborate with blogs, playlists, and other artists; and consider reputable music marketing services that use transparent, compliant strategies (paid ads, playlist pitches, PR). These approaches may take longer, however they reduce the chance of account loss, scams, and reputational damage while building real listener relationships.
If you're tempted by a shortcut, weigh the short-term benefits contrary to the long-term costs. Losing an account, being banned, or getting connected with suspicious activity can set a career back higher than a slow-but-steady growth plan. Protect important computer data, read platform policies, and prioritize methods that preserve control, ownership, and credibility—those will be the assets which actually help a musical project succeed.