Meta has intensified its response to online fraud, warning that criminal networks are increasingly using gambling-related content across social platforms to lure victims into scams.
The Meta Platforms group, which operates Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger, says digital fraud is becoming more structured and global, with coordinated networks exploiting multiple channels to build credibility and scale.
The company revealed it removed more than 159 million fraudulent advertisements in 2025, alongside 10.9 million accounts linked to organised scam operations. Meta added that over 90% of fraudulent content is now detected proactively through automated systems before users report it.
A growing concern is the use of gambling as an entry point for fraud. Investigators have identified campaigns promoting fake online casinos or Guaranteed Win schemes, often supported by manipulated images of celebrities, brands or influencers to create a false sense of legitimacy. In many cases, these schemes blur boundaries between investment products, trading platforms and gaming, increasing their appeal to a broader audience.
Meta has also increased enforcement against scam centres, particularly in Southeast Asia. In collaboration with international law enforcement and the Royal Thai Police, the company disabled more than 150,000 accounts linked to organised fraud hubs, with 21 arrests reported.
These networks typically operate at scale, using thousands of fake profiles to initiate contact, build trust and ultimately direct victims towards fraudulent investment or gambling schemes.
A parallel investigation in Nigeria and the UK exposed similar patterns, with fraudsters posing as cryptocurrency traders and using social media communities to promote high-return investment schemes. Victims were persuaded to transfer funds into wallets controlled by the perpetrators, underlining the convergence between social media, crypto and online gambling narratives.
Advertiser verification remains a central pillar of Meta’s strategy. By 2026, the company aims for 90% of its advertising revenue to come from verified advertisers, with particular focus on high-risk sectors such as financial services, cryptocurrency and online gambling.
The broader message is clear. As fraud networks become more coordinated and cross-platform in nature, enforcement cannot rely solely on content removal. Meta is increasingly positioning its response around a combination of technology, regulatory cooperation and user awareness, reflecting the scale and sophistication of a threat that continues to evolve alongside the digital economy.
