In a major crackdown in March 2025, Meta took down more than 23,000 Facebook pages and accounts that were defrauding people through fake investment schemes and gambling applications in India and Brazil. In these scams, fraudsters used deepfake technology to create fake photos and videos of popular finance content creators, cricket players and business personalities from India and Brazil. Through these false advertisements, people were misled and directed to messaging apps and fake Google Play Store websites under the guise of “blocking advice” from where they were induced to download fraudulent apps.

• Meta warning: Beware of these investment and payment scams

Investment Scams – People are lured into fake investment schemes by promising quick returns in things like cryptocurrency, real estate or shares. They are lured by offering “exclusive offers” and “coaching groups” through social media, email or calls.

Payment Schemes- Advance Payment Scams: Scams present themselves as fake sellers, first ask for money and then disappear.

Overdue Payment and Refund Tips: Fraudsters produce fake payment receipts and demand refunds, then reverse the original payment and pocket both amounts.

• Metai Partnership for Digital Security in India

Telecommunication Department: META in collaboration with WhatsApp and DoT organized a workshop on identification and reporting of online scams for DoT officials, Sanchar Mitra and other field units.

Customer Affairs Department:’Under the ‘Jaago Grahak Jaago’ campaign, Meta launched an initiative to create awareness among consumers about digital literacy and online safety.

Indian Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Centre: Meta had trained police forces in 7 states of the country to counter online harassment through WhatsApp.