Meta Removes 63 Scam Advertisers Promoting Fake Stimulus Checks
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has recently removed ads from 63 fraudulent operators. These ads, which targeted tens of thousands of users, promoted bogus business scams and fake stimulus checks 2025. The companies behind these ads have not been publicly disclosed.
The Tech Transparency Project found that these 63 scam advertisers spent a total of $49 million on Facebook and Instagram. One advertiser even used a deepfake video of former President Trump to promote a fake stimulus check 2025, targeting users over 65 in multiple US states.
This issue is part of a larger trend of increasing online fraud. The FTC reported a four-fold increase since 2020 in complaints from older adults losing large amounts of money to scammers impersonating trusted entities. Despite Meta's policy violations, nearly half of these scam advertisers continued to operate, with six spending over $1 million before being disabled or deleted. These scammers are exploiting AI technology and public confusion to target victims, with Meta allowing these activities despite its prohibition of business scams.
Meta has taken action against 63 fraudulent advertisers, but the problem persists. Scammers continue to target seniors with ads promoting fake stimulus checks 2025 and other business scams. Further measures are needed to protect users from these deceptive practices.
